The three main political parties have been busy making statements about parenting and work-life balance during and leading up to their annual conferences (see News, pages 5 and 6). A major prerequisite for a happy family life that balances employment and home, they all agree, is high-quality, affordable childcare. So it is ironic that work-life balance is still so hard to achieve if you are working in the childcare sector. This week, we report on the fears of smaller nurseries faced with increasing staff holidays to 28 days including bank holidays (see News, page 4). This, combined with next month's rise in the minimum wage rates, let alone other increasing costs and falling occupancy levels, is giving owners serious headaches in trying to make ends meet.
The three main political parties have been busy making statements about parenting and work-life balance during and leading up to their annual conferences (see News, pages 5 and 6). A major prerequisite for a happy family life that balances employment and home, they all agree, is high-quality, affordable childcare.
So it is ironic that work-life balance is still so hard to achieve if you are working in the childcare sector. This week, we report on the fears of smaller nurseries faced with increasing staff holidays to 28 days including bank holidays (see News, page 4). This, combined with next month's rise in the minimum wage rates, let alone other increasing costs and falling occupancy levels, is giving owners serious headaches in trying to make ends meet.
No nursery owner or manager would want to deny their employees the right to adequate pay and a decent amount of time off with their own families. But without help with staff costs, more nurseries could be forced out of business. The Transformation Fund is as yet a short-term measure.
Next week in Nursery World, we reveal the results of the Nursery World/Hays Early Years salary survey. Make sure that you don't miss this exclusive feature, showing rates of pay at different levels, benefits and sector trends.
