Lucy has had to remortgage her home to keep her childcare business open.
And Lucy is not alone. Thousands of childcare providers are closing because current funding levels do not cover the true cost of delivering quality childcare.
Such incredibly sad news: this local pre-school is closing its doors after 51 years because it could not cope with rising business costs.
We need MPs to take action on underfunding and support their local providers. Visit https://t.co/HumveUaTzw to write to your MP today.
We’re seeing posts like this every day. It’s heartbreaking 😢 How many more before someone in government realises the Nursery Funding Scheme just isn’t working! #EarlyYears@Conservatives@NickGibbUK @CatesMiriam @EYAlliance
Hi @Mr_B_Morgan, unfortunately many early years providers are being forced to take similar action. We agree that this places pressure on those parents who need truly 'free childcare'.
You can find out more in our parent infosheet here: https://t.co/3Kuh3xOO2E #FairFutureFunding
Just opened a letter from our daughter's nursery. They're asking for £1.50 per session for consumables. The letter states the funding the government provides doesn't cover the costs of the setting. Is this happening anywhere else? What if we can't afford it? #EYTwittertagteam
Great work @StepsCN!
Have you written to your local MP yet? Why not do it today in less than five minutes until our simple #TakeAction form?
https://t.co/NxYTJRWTrV
Please complete a survey from @EYAlliance focused on #funding & #SEND provision. It only takes 5 minutes to respond, and all responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your contact details to allow follow up with you at a later date.
https://t.co/r83cnyOdpZ
State of the Early Years sector over on Facebook -
"For the first 35hrs a week, I am paid £3 an hour and then work for free. I am manager, HR, payroll, cleaner.... Then in April it will be less, if any pay."
According to the government, Early Years funding is sorted?!
"I make more money cleaning toilets than I do working with the children."
"I just do it because I love the children. But I'm having to work from home and have taken on a second job.
"It directly impacts the children's development"
https://t.co/HO37PnWsKP?
.@EYAlliance has said that the ’extra funding’ from the govt to early years will offer a "negligible" effect for providers.
With 400 childminders closing in the first quarter of 2019, it’s clear more support is desperately needed for what is a lifeline for so many parents.
How can providers budget without knowing how much of April's funding increase is actually going to them?
Too many LA funding consultations are either too short, delayed not being held at all - it's not good enough and could make planning impossible.
https://t.co/6AUBDIGgLJ
What does it say about Government's approach to the early years that this report found the last effective policy for investing in and improving the sector’s workforce qualifications was abandoned almost ten years ago?
We can't afford another lost decade.
https://t.co/4OCnUyRouU
Neil will appear on @BBCRadio4's 4 #YouandYours this afternoon.
He'll talking about the impact underfunding is having on the sector alongside a provider worried about the impact of minimum wage increases this April.
📻Tune in from just after 12 https://t.co/R5a0vIO90u
Neil will appear on @BBCRadio4's 4 #YouandYours this afternoon.
He'll talking about the impact underfunding is having on the sector alongside a provider worried about the impact of minimum wage increases this April.
📻Tune in from just after 12 https://t.co/R5a0vIO90u
Neil will appear on @BBCRadio4's 4 #YouandYours this afternoon.
He'll talking about the impact underfunding is having on the sector alongside a provider worried about the impact of minimum wage increases this April.
📻Tune in from just after 12 https://t.co/R5a0vIO90u
Missed #politicslive today?
Owner Katherine - who has had to take a second job to make ends meet because of underfunding - told reporters she would earn more cleaning the building's toilets than looking after the children.
https://t.co/SAIfkzS72I
How do we respond to the funding crisis?
Do we want a sector open only to those parents who can afford it? Or do we want to lift the poorest children up & helps them achieve their full potential?
Join us & debate the sector's future with @ceeda_uk
https://t.co/TcjUQb2qn5
Labour leadership candidate @jessphillips has called for "National Universal Childcare".
She said: "I will prioritise childcare to support mums, dads, nans and grandads, in the knowledge kids and grandkids are in good hands. Like in Scandinavia."
https://t.co/wM2A2EF3my
@FairFutureFund@EYAlliance Our place is having to be really creative to stay open. Operating at a loss at the min. It’s ridiculous. I don’t think they know or understand the service we offer, the people we help, the hugs we give to the mums who are struggling, the food we give out, never mind the education
Striking that there's no mention of the early years here.
The early years current funding shortfall stands at £662 million - that will increase to well over three quarters of a billion by the end of this parliament unless action is taken.
Education Secretary @GavinWilliamson sets out his determination and renewed mission to deliver the best for every child and improve the lives and prospects of a generation 👀👇