Nurseries in England charging extra fees to cover funding gap, campaigners say
Summary
Parents in England who use nurseries are being charged extra fees for things like food and nappies, even though the government provides free childcare hours. The Education Secretary has asked the competition watchdog to investigate these extra charges to better protect families.Key Facts
- Parents in England get 30 hours a week of free childcare for children aged nine months to four years.
- Many nurseries charge extra fees for items such as food, wipes, nappies, and special activities.
- A survey found nearly 75% of parents paying for childcare had to cover additional costs beyond the free hours.
- Some parents reported paying as much as £16 extra per day on top of regular fees.
- The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, called for an investigation into hidden charges in the childcare sector.
- The Department for Education acknowledged parents are still paying more to access government-funded childcare places.
- A digital map tool showing childcare providers was launched to help families find available nurseries more easily.
- The Competition and Markets Authority will review the childcare sector and consider proposals to improve it.
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