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Early years settings in York will receive an average of £3.66 per hour if they take part in the 30-hours childcare pilot, Nursery World reports.

 

The City of York council has allegedly confirmed that its providers will be given their existing funding rate of £3.38 for the first 15 hours, and a further £3.95 per hour for the additional 15 hours.

 

This average of £3.66 sits at more than a pound less per hour than the £4.88 average rate announced by the government.

 

The York Early Implementer pilot is one of eight local authority trials; it is open to all eligible children and includes all types of childcare settings.

 

One provider, Polly Anna’s nursery in Haxby, York, told Nursery World that it will not be taking part in the pilot as a result of the inadequate funding.

 

“I’m out. I will not be offering the additional 15 hours to my parents. I’m so disappointed. We were enthusiastic – we were rising to the challenge – and then wallop!” said Ken McArthur, nursery owner.

 

“It’s a disappointment for families coming to the nursery, but there’s no way I can do it. It’s a sad state of affairs. I’m not prepared to compromise on quality and safety.”

 

Prior to the announcement of the exact funding for the additional 15 hours, Ken had also contacted Under 5 with his concerns over the matter.

 

“I would be saddened to think that the reason why the City of York was chosen as the early implementer…was that York was seen to be the ‘cheap option’,” Ken said.

 

“This would be very short-sighted and confirm to the PVI sector that the government is planning to roll out their promise of 30-hours at the lowest possible cost to the treasury, regardless of consequences to the providers.”