Sir, Today the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) closes its consultation on “Future Approach to Fees and Subsidies”, seeking feedback on plans to increase registration fees for childcare providers by between 190 and 2,150 per cent over the next three years.

Collectively, we represent 350,000 childcarers across the UK, who are responsible for the care of nearly one and a half million children, and we are alarmed at the potential impact of these proposed increases upon parents and providers. At a time of considerable policy change, with the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage and a new inspection framework, the proposals will potentially undermine the sustainability of many childcare businesses, and cause a number to close. This would have an additional impact of reducing the number of childcare places available and undermining parental choice at a time when the Government is encouraging greater flexibility in childcare services.

Alternatively, childcare providers will have to raise fees to support these increases and we are concerned that the recent consultation on Ofsted fees suggests that there is a possibility that in the future CRB checks may not be subsidised, impacting further on sustainability.

Under this new proposal, subsidies that are currently distributed equally among childcare providers would be redirected to local authorities, to target as they feel appropriate. However, our experience suggests that these resources tend not to be used to support providers in the private, voluntary and community sector who need it the most.

We urge the DCSF to reconsider its proposals as a matter of urgency and retain consistent subsidies for all childcare providers.

Anne Longfield
Chief Executive, 4Children

Alison Garnham, Emma Knights
Joint Chief Executives, Daycare Trust

Liz Bayram
Chief Executive, National Childminding Association

Purnima Tanuku
Chief Executive, National Day Nurseries Association

Steve Alexander
Chief Executive, Pre-school Learning Alliance

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