CEY0013

Written evidence submitted by K and S Childcare LTD

I am a childcare provider working in deprivation in Plymouth, Devon. I run 3 settings and have over 30 years in this sector. I am a qualified Early Years Teacher and childcare Director.

We can only just stay in business because of factors beyond our control. We made no profit last year and lost 20k this term alone.

The main issue is the funding rate we receive. It is too low. Because of working in deprivation, 95% of my families receive 2, 3 and 4 year old funding. When the National Minimum wage increases, we do not get the funding rate increase we need to meet this. This means we are running on reserves now. Next year I will have to close one nursery to reduce my staff costs. This will increase the gap we are trying to narrow for FSM children. We cannot increase fees as parents do not pay. We ask for the consumable charge to be paid but as it is voluntary, they do not pay it.

It is not free childcare. We are paying for it. Staff are paid only NMW, when the work they do is above and beyond this. We are social workers most of the time.

We run multi agency meetings and need to complete paper work we are not paid to do.

Send evidence gathering is huge. We are not paid the cost it is to support SEND children. Funding takes two terms to access, waiting lists are huge and there is no specialist support for us.

We offer one – one care out of our own pocket which is causing financial pressures. The wait time for EHCPs is nearly a year. It is inacceptable.

We are Outstanding settings, in deprivation, with high levels of SEND and child protection. We do an amazing job but will not be able to sustain this.

The children who will be impacted are those who attend nurseries in deprived areas and these are the most vulnerable. We need help to stay open.

January 2023