Nearly one in five nurseries in deprived areas of England are facing closure within the next 12 months due to the early years funding shortfall. Independent research agency Ceeda found that 17 per cent of childcare providers in the most deprived areas of England anticipate closure in the next year – only eight per cent in the most affluent areas face such a prospect. In addition, 43 per cent of providers admitted to making savings by cutting back on learning resources, while 19 per cent said they had lowered the quality of food they give to children. Childcare organisations said the findings revealed the deepening funding crisis affecting the sector and called for urgent action from government. Ceeda’s report, which combines analysis of provider’s opinions and financial information with government data, revealed that the early years funding shortfall has risen by almost £50m in the past year to £662m. Read more.
You may also like
National Deprivation of Liberty Court to deal with child cases
A national Deprivation of Liberty Court will deal with all new cases involving children, it has been announced. The new court, announced by Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division, will launch on 4 July...
June 24, 2022
More than 1,000 children in care moved from their placement every week, research warns
Charities are warning that more than 1,000 looked-after children are moved on from their placement every week. Between 2018 and 2021 there were 220,210 changes to care placements, the equivalent of 1,059 changes each...
June 23, 2022
Expand free school meals eligibility ‘to reduce stigma’, DfE urged
Widening eligibility for free school meals could not only reduce the number of children facing food insecurity but remove the stigma felt by those who do receive them, researchers have said. A study by York University...
June 21, 2022