NEG groups gain support
More private and voluntary nursery providers across the country are joining the campaign against the Code of Practice for nursery education for three-and four-year-olds, which started last year in Kent.
Gary Palmer, secretary of the Kent PVI Providers Association, told Nursery World that the latest groups to join are Hertfordshire and Hampshire.
Mr Palmer said, 'The Save Our Nurseries campaign is now contacting people nationwide.'
Joint-chair of the Hampshire association, Shaunagh de Boinville, owner of the Children's House Grantham Farm Montessori School in Baughurst, said that local nurseries are finding it difficult to offer the flexible early education entitlement.
The impact of the extension to 15 hours on staff costs and equipment will make it 'virtually impossible' to run the business without compromising on quality, she said.
'It's not just about the funding. It's Government interference, telling us how to run our businesses.'
She added, 'My parents are 100 per cent behind me. They are all writing to their MPs. When I had my meeting with the parents of the children in my school, one mother said, "What right does the Government have to stop us buying the best possible pre-school education for our children, if that is a priority for us?" I think that just about sums up the whole issue.
'Also, from the providers' point of view, we are keen to be able to continue offering the highest quality care and education and are not prepared to compromise on quality in order to fit the budget set by the Government.'
There are 662 PVI providers in Hampshire. Around 10 per cent of all PVI nurseries have joined the Hampshire branch.
Read more about the campaign in your area at www.saveournurseries.org.
