Further to the news story that childminders in poor parts of England are to receive support funding (22 March), since the introduction of nursery vouchers by the Conservative Government followed by the nursery education grant under Labour, we now find that at school intake time in September and January we lose between eight and 12 children, from both our nursery and our after-school club. As I write it is the end of March and we have only just started to fill our vacancies. Meanwhile schools are due to receive a massive cash injection from the Government and childminders are due to receive financial support up to twice a year, if they can't fill a vacancy in two weeks. As a private day nursery we still have to maintain our staff:child ratio of 1:5, pay rent, wages, bills and food costs and pay for our inspections. Where is our help and support? Where is our recognition of who we are and our valuable and necessary contribution? Where is our financial aid to tide us over and help us? I'll tell you - it is nowhere.
Further to the news story that childminders in poor parts of England are to receive support funding (22 March), since the introduction of nursery vouchers by the Conservative Government followed by the nursery education grant under Labour, we now find that at school intake time in September and January we lose between eight and 12 children, from both our nursery and our after-school club. As I write it is the end of March and we have only just started to fill our vacancies. Meanwhile schools are due to receive a massive cash injection from the Government and childminders are due to receive financial support up to twice a year, if they can't fill a vacancy in two weeks. As a private day nursery we still have to maintain our staff:child ratio of 1:5, pay rent, wages, bills and food costs and pay for our inspections.
Where is our help and support? Where is our recognition of who we are and our valuable and necessary contribution? Where is our financial aid to tide us over and help us? I'll tell you - it is nowhere.
When will the time come that all early years practitioners and educators are treated equally and fairly, with respect given to the different roles that we play in the education, care, development and support of not only the child but also the family?
No wonder so many of us private day nursery owners are disillusioned and disheartened with this entire system.
A R Beynon
Harrow, Middlesex
