Free childcare places need more funds

The government entitles 15 hours, to all 3 and 4 year-olds, free childcare in a week. But campaigners have found that most nurseries and childminders are not receiving sufficient cash to cover costs of running the pre-school facility. There are plans also being considered to extend the same to 2-year-olds. Pre-School Alliance have found through a poll, that not enough money is being received to meet costs. The Alliance found a decline in positive opinion from last May in the poll, regarding sufficient funds. Further, if ministers consider, as a way of cutting costs, altering the staff to children ratio, there will be lower quality of service, it was felt by most of nurseries and childminders that were polled. The Alliance had surveyed to respond to the Childcare Commission. A spokesperson of the Department of Education admitted that rising childcare costs to be a big issue to parents. The commission set up will examine the system and listen to both parents and professionals.