02/06/2026
Early Years Voice is standing up for the nursery owners, childminders and providers carrying this sector every single day.
The conversation around childcare costs cannot ignore the real issue:
📢 underfunding.
Deposits, consumables and additional charges are not appearing because providers are dishonest. They exist because many settings say the funded rate does not cover the true cost of delivery.
That’s why this review matters.
We need:
✔ honest conversations
✔ fair funding
✔ transparency around local authority retention
✔ recognition of the real cost of quality childcare
✔ the voices of providers and childminders heard at the highest level
This sector deserves more than headlines and blame.
It deserves a system that actually works.
30/05/2026
Bridget, we’re ready. The sector is ready. The question is… will the review go far enough?
Early Years Voice has welcomed the CMA review into nursery costs, but there’s growing concern that the focus is too narrow.
Because the issue isn’t simply “hidden charges.”
The real conversation needs to include:
Underfunding
Local authority retention and pass-through
The widening gap between funding rates and the real cost of delivery
Deposits, consumables, and add-on charges are often symptoms of a system where providers are expected to deliver more than the funding actually covers.
If the funded childcare offer is supposed to save families money, the review has to follow the full financial picture, not just the final charge parents see.
The sector is asking for:
✔ A full market review
✔ Funding methodology to be included
✔ Transparency around local authority retention
✔ A review of the whole system, not just one part of it
The sector is ready. Are you?
Add your voice here https://www.earlyyearsvoice.co.uk
26/05/2026
Due to advances in AI we are no longer uploading children’s faces online, blurred or not blurred. Children are not an advertising tool and should be protected from potential harm. It is our responsibility to safegaurd all children in our care and we will always do our utmost to uphold this responsibility. Photos moving forward from this date will only show the back of children’s heads and unidentifiable features such as hands/arms.
Cornerstone Nurseries Ltd
14/05/2026
🌟 We’re Hiring! 🌟
Do you have a Level 3 qualification or above, a passion for making every day magical for little learners?
We’re looking for a Deputy Manager to join our warm, friendly and dedicated team!
✨ What you’ll bring:
• A love for early years learning
•A full and relevant childcare qualification
• Energy, creativity, and a sprinkle of fun
✨ In return, you’ll get a supportive team, lots of laughs, and the chance to make a difference every single day.
Please send your CV to the email below.
📧 [email protected]
