Nursery World - Spotlight on…Falmai Reay

Former owner of Elfin Nursery Pre-School in Cheltenham

WHAT LED TO THE CLOSURE OF YOUR NURSERY AFTER 32 YEARS?

The last two years have seen a drop in numbers, slowly at first, but as the 30 hours started to kick in I realised what was happening. The money received is insufficient to cover costs, let alone higher qualifications. Two-year-olds are expensive due to ratios and the current level of funding makes it impossible for us to provide children with the quality of staff they deserve.

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Very sad, as it has been my life’s work. I have loved every moment. I am also a little angry that there is virtually no support for settings such as mine. We do all that is expected of us but just have to struggle on.

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