The private nursery sector is at a tipping point, and I am very concerned that if we do not speak up for our interests then politicians will continue making policies that threaten the financial viability of the whole sector.
Inadequate hourly funding rates and increasing costs mean that nurseries across the country are having to make difficult decisions about their future, and with 49 per cent of all nurseries operating at a loss, whether or not they can remain viable over the long term.
Recent business rates increases have added significant pressure on private nurseries. In total, across our 19 Tops Day Nurseries, we have seen our rateable value increase by over £100,000 in 2017, with rates in some of our nurseries more than doubling. Looking into the near future, the roll-out of the Government’s 30 hours funded childcare policy will test our resourcefulness.
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