03/04/2025
💚 Dear Parents 💚
Over the past few months, the private Early Years sector has been floored by new funding restrictions brought out by the Department for Education. For years, we have been chronically underfunded, but regardless, existing EY settings have pushed on to offer outstanding care and education for your children, despite crippling financial difficulties. Thousands were forced to close their doors for good.
Today, Keir Starmer and the DfE announced that 300 nurseries are opening in schools as an initial stage of a mass rollout. It is beyond frustrating; had they funded the PVI’s honestly, there would already be enough spaces for children without them needing to attend school at the age of 2 or 3.
There is something more today though that has really angered me; the marketing campaign that rolled out alongside it - the one where the DfE and our Prime Minister claim that these settings are a higher level of service and education than existing nurseries and childminders.
Let me make it clear, every private childcare setting is offering exceptional early education and care for your children. This Government are not ‘saving the day’ or creating better opportunities for your children. They are pushing them into school and deflecting from the funding scandal that is currently taking place. They want both parents back to work as early as possible to boost the economy and they want state-run nurseries.
Hear me when I shout it loud; your child does not need to be in school at 2 or 3. These nurseries are not offering anything above and beyond that of a private setting. They too will be underfunded, and they too will struggle to recruit enough staff. They will follow the EYFS just like the rest of us. The social media posts that I have read from MPs today are shameful, misleading and dishonest.
Your existing workforce are highly skilled in educating and caring for children in the first 5 years of their life. This is what we do, and we do it well. Your child will be more than school ready in a private setting and they do not need to attend a pre-school before starting in Reception.
Parents, I implore you to look further than the propaganda that has been rolled out today. Trust in your PVI settings, the passionate and skilled practitioners who care for your children each day - please support them at a time when they need you most.
Signed,
A very frustrated and disappointed childcare professional.
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