The Government has put private nurseries in an impossible position, to the detriment of all children attending them. Legally we cannot refuse to take a child with additional needs if we have a vacancy, regardless of the number of additional needs children we have already. We can access no Government funding to employ additional staff to help these children, thus putting extra pressure on a nursery's budget to employ extra staff.
Without extra staff, children with additional needs cannot get the help they need to reach their full potential. Many children with additional needs need help to focus on activities provided, while the other children are denied their right to be able to reach their full potential as staff have to pay extra attention to the child with additional needs.
The Government's intentions are admirable, but maybe it should take stock of the working implications of its inclusion legislation and give all children the right to reach their full potential by giving nurseries the funding to fulfil their commitment to inclusion.
Sue Rahwangi
Proprietor/manager, Court Stairs Lodge Nursery School, Ramsgate, Kent
