Government Plea To Nurseries Over Free Childcare

Nurseries are being asked to come forward with ideas about how to double the amount of free childcare given to some families to 30 hours a week.

But the industry has given the Government's request a cool reception because current subsidies do not cover nurseries' actual costs.

And some providers have told Sky News they are being emotionally blackmailed into supporting the new scheme.

The Government is already consulting thousands of parents via Facebook, it says to find out how the plan might take the pressure off household budgets and allow parents to work.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan will speak to employees at Rolls Royce later about how the scheme might work for them.

But Neil Leitch, of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said: "Before attempting to publicly appease parents and raise unrealistic expectations, the Government should first work with the sector to agree the best way to deliver the scheme."

Research commissioned by his organisation suggests the hourly cost to nurseries of looking after three and four-year-olds is £4.53 on average - whereas the Government funding rate currently lags behind at £3.88 on average.

A review into the rates paid to nurseries is under way - the Government says it will put them up - though a new fee has not been decided yet.

"What concerns me is that we'll raise the expectations of parents and providers who will feel that they're being emotionally blackmailed," said Mr Leitch.

"We'll have to pick up the pieces giving more and more goodwill which has already been used up providing the 15 hours, never mind 30."

The childcare sector says it is also facing rising costs because of things like pension provision and the new National Living Wage.

The Government says it is spending £5bn a year on childcare which is £1bn more than in 2010.