Maintained nursery schools (Analysis, 19 November) and, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, private settings in the south-east of England are waking up to the likely impact of the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF). However, I am not sure if the penny has dropped yet with other private providers. If not, it's time for them to wake up and do their sums, as the future does not look promising.
In Essex, we are allowed to charge a top-up fee for funded places (which my parents are happy to pay) as long as we offer one place with no additional charges. This system has helped keep my nursery sustainable and pays me a reasonable salary, but it is to be withdrawn in 2010. Thus, as the owner of a small nursery operating extended hours two days per week and four-hour sessions three days per week, I have calculated that I could lose up to £30,000 next year.
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