Nursery World - Providers getting just 32p extra in hourly funding despite Govt claims of 'substantially uplifted' rates

Despite the Government’s claim funding would significantly increase from September, childcare providers are receiving an average of just 32p extra per hour to deliver the three and four-year-old places.

The NDNA's analysis shows many providers are not seeing much of an increase to their hourly funding rate, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

In March, the education secretary announced £204m additional funding to increase the hourly rates from September, heralded as supporting providers to get ready for the expansion of funded places from next April.

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However, new analysis by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), suggests many providers’ funding rates have increased by just tens of pence per hour.

According to the figures, the average rate has increased from £4.85 to £5.17 for three and four-year-olds. In comparison, the increase for two-year-olds is an extra £2.02 per hour.

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