NDNA has been campaigning continuously for the Government to offer relief on business rates for day nurseries for more than six years. Our member nurseries have seen their business rates increase by an average of 67 per cent.
We are also working to ensure VAT reimbursement on capital investment is extended to all childcare provision. We believe that creating special status for private and voluntary day nurseries would not be complicated and could be done with minimal investment.
Our recent policy paper, 'Day nurseries: delivering the childcare vision', outlines these issues and we presented it to all the major political parties at their autumn party conferences. We will continue to push these issues.
Day nurseries are a crucial part of delivering the Government's childcare vision, and equality for all day nurseries would send out a clear message from the Government that private and voluntary providers are an integral part of the ambitious 10-year childcare strategy.
I would urge nurseries to contact NDNA to share their experience of these issues. With your support we can achieve the equality the sector needs to thrive and provide universal, high-quality and affordable childcare.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive, National Day Nurseries Association
* For a copy of the paper, please email hayley.doyle@ndna.org.uk
