Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said, ‘We welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to the reforms and assurance that most areas will see a real increase in funding. This consultation shows the Government has listened to our concerns. We are pleased that a number of our recommendations to simplify the funding formula and ensure that as much money reaches the front line as possible have been included.’
Commenting on the detail, she added, ‘We’re also keen for plans for an equal base rate for all provider types – schools, nurseries and childminders - to come to fruition as quickly as possible. Plans for a streamlined approach to supplements focusing on factors such as deprivation, rural areas and flexibility also seem fair, but the option for a higher rate for settings offering 30 hours free childcare could be seen as an incentive or a penalty. We will look in detail at whether this will penalise smaller or sessional settings where they don’t have the resources to deliver more than 15 funded hours.’
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