Nursery World - Why pay will remain low

By Brian Cooper, owner of Meir Park Day Nursery in Stoke-on-Trent I am confused by the Government's approach to the subject of pay in early years, particularly in the private sector. The DfES (News, page 4, 24 July) said, 'Pay is determined locally by providers.' But a more accurate view is that pay is determined by the fees providers are able to charge in their local economy.

I am confused by the Government's approach to the subject of pay in early years, particularly in the private sector. The DfES (News, page 4, 24 July) said, 'Pay is determined locally by providers.' But a more accurate view is that pay is determined by the fees providers are able to charge in their local economy.

The DfES spokeswoman also said, 'The injection of substantial resources into childcare, especially through tax credits, helps underpin sustainable provision and decent wage levels.' How?

The only way a private provider can increase staff wages is to increase fees. The childcare tax credit was designed to make childcare accessible to a greater number of parents, not to enable private providers to put up their prices.

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