Help About Early Years measure the true cost of quality childcare
Nursery World
Monday, March 26, 2018
Ceeda is calling on childcare providers to take part in current research on delivery costs, as part of the wider About Early Years research programme.
The drive follows the release of the Treasury Committee's Report on Childcare this weekend, which called into question the evidence base used by the Department for Education to underpin its investment in 30 hours childcare to 2020.
The report said there was no evidence to suggest that National Living Wage rates had been factored into the hourly rates provided by central Government to local authorities and childcare providers, and concluded, 'It is highly likely that increases in other costs, such as pension auto-enrolment and business rates, have also not been factored into the central Government hourly rates.'
Evidence drawn upon in the Treasury Committee's report included cost-analysis by independent research agency Ceeda. Originally conducted in 2014 and subsequently modelled to forecast the impact of the National Living Wage and auto-enrolment, this influential evidence base now needs updating.
Dr Jo Verrill, managing director, said, 'We welcome the findings of the inquiry which have confirmed long-held concerns about the evidence base underpinning funding rates, raised by the sector, Ceeda and other independent analysts.
'The inquiry has also highlighted the obvious need for regular analysis of the ever-changing cost base; a primary objective of the About Early Years research programme, launched in spring 2017. The programme is currently delivering its third survey wave - focusing on delivery costs. Data collected in this, and previous waves, will be used to produce an authoritative delivery-cost-index, refreshed on a regular basis.
'We urge childcare providers to take this important opportunity to submit data on their costs, in confidence, to an independent research team.'
- Registered panel members have received their invitations in recent weeks – you can register to take part here http://aboutearlyyears.co.uk/the-panel/.
- The survey closes on 12 April 2018.
- Nursery World is the media partner of About Early Years
- Read about the most recent About Early Years findings.
