Exclusive: Nurseries Hit Out-Has The Government’s Underfunding Created a Two Tier System For Children In Nurseries?

“We are in a position where underfunding and the guidance on charging are pushing us towards a two-tier early education system for our children.”

On Friday, 7 November, the Havering Daily ran an exclusive article on Fledglings Nursery in South Hornchurch. The article was based on parents’ anger towards the nursery for the introduction of a two-tier system, where children are placed in either an enhanced package or a basic package. Parents hit out at the nursery for what they claim is the total inequality and segregation this would cause to young children.

Parents spoke about how the system meant that in the basic package, children’s meals had to be bought into the nursery from 11.00 am to 11.15 am, when parents were working, and how many activities would not be allowed for children on a basic package.

In response to our article, the Chief Executive of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), Tim McLachlan, reached out to the Havering Daily to respond.

In his response, Mr McLachlan points the finger directly at government policy, stating that underfunding and guidance on charging are pushing nurseries towards a two-tier system for children. He also states that the government’s current childcare policy guideline explicitly states that funding does NOT cover essentials such as food or any additional learning activities.

Please see Mr McLachlan’s response below:

Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said: 

“This confusing situation for parents is entirely the fault of Government policy. The nursery has followed their stringent guidance to the letter and should not be being publicly shamed for doing so.

“We are in a position where underfunding and the guidance on charging are pushing us towards a two-tier early education system for our children. This is the logical conclusion of the Government’s current childcare policy guidance, which explicitly states that funding does not cover essentials such as food or any additional learning activities.

“Nurseries are having to be explicit in their charges, and so if a nursery wants to go over and above the basic curriculum (EYFS), which Government funding is supposed to cover, they have to set that out for parents. Those willing to pay for food and additional activities get that enhanced service, but parents who do not wish to pay or cannot pay have to be offered an alternative lower-level “package”.

“We know that childcare costs are a major concern for parents, but this nursery is doing what they have been told to do by the Department for Education and their local authority. No nursery can afford to offer those enhanced services – and freshly prepared meals in nursery – free of charge. The Government’s own research shows that 58% of nurseries are not covering their costs from their income right now.

“Through a combination of underfunding and not being clear with parents about the nature of funded childcare places, the Government is creating this two-tier system where some children miss out and nurseries get the blame.

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