Network Whispers - 8p funding expectations, Boris phone-in

SMALL CHANGE Following the Government’s announcement of an ‘up to’ 8p per child per hour funding increase for threes and fours, councils are trying to lower expectations. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council told its schools forum not to expect an increase because the 8p matched the rate of inflation (1.8 per cent). Norfolk Council said it will no longer offer 15p for flexibility or quality. And Stockport has reduced providers’ base rate and deprivation supplements. Meanwhile, nurseries in NDNA’s Hertfordshire network believe the increase will translate into just 5p. But in Solihull and Wakefield, providers will enjoy the full 8p rise for April!

RATE SHIFT Nurseries in Falkirk had problems explaining the funding rates to their parents after their local authority changed them. Providers said they received a breakdown at the end of August, but these figures were revised in October, by which time they had already told parents the original rate. When they complained that this had caused problems, Falkirk Council told providers it was because of the extra public holidays on St Andrew’s Day and 2 January. One owner said, ‘We are all open through public holidays so it should not have affected the funding [for] private nurseries.’

CALLING BORIS One nursery owner from Nottingham took the prime minister to task over funding rates in a BBC phone-in last month. Roopam Carroll, owner of Beeston Nursery, told Boris Johnson she was making a loss of 40p per hour per child. She told the PM, ‘Thousands of nurseries could close, my nursery could close. Is your party going to listen to us?’ Mr Johnson said, ‘I totally accept that childcare is the crucial thing’ and referred to the then yet-to-be-launched manifesto. The Tories have announced they will introduce a new £1 billion fund ‘to help create more high-quality, affordable childcare’, which has been dubbed ‘loose change’ by the Early Years Alliance, and review business rates.