Nursery plan is '˜doomed to fail' says union boss

Pre-schools in England would “cease to be financially viable” after the planned two years of financial support from the taxpayer ends, because of the costs associated with the extra places, the NAHT said.

The scheme is currently being trialled in Wigan ahead of a proposed national roll-out next year.

But the school leaders’ union said analysis carried out with the charity Early Education showed nurseries in the local authority areas with the highest number of nurseries - including the city of Birmingham, Lancashire and Hertfordshire - would see huge cuts in funding if the proposal to double the current 15 hours of free time was introduced.

NAHT general secretary Russell Hobby contrasted the situation with Theresa May’s announcement to open a new wave of grammar schools, saying: “The Department for Education’s own data shows that any funding approach that does not reflect these costs on an ongoing basis will be a body blow for early years education in nursery schools.

“There is additional funding available, but only for two years. After that point, England’s nursery schools will cease to be financially viable.

“The 30 hours offer will be doomed before it even gets started, additional places won’t materialise and current places will be lost as nursery schools across England close their doors for good. The government has the data - it must rethink before thousands of families, many in the poorest areas of the country, are left high and dry.

“In contrast to grammar schools, high-quality nursery education is a proven method of helping the most disadvantaged families. It is inexplicable that a government serious about social mobility would focus on one at the expense of the other.”