I’m a mum – the cost of childcare is unbelievable but if nurseries take on more kids with less staff we’ll see neglect

SOARING costs and staff shortages have seen childcare provision reach crisis point.

Staff are leaving nurseries at an alarming rate and more than eight in ten early years providers are struggling to recruit sufficient numbers.

The UK now has the second most expensive childcare in the world.

The average cost of sending a child under the age of two to nursery is £137 a week for a part-time place (25 hours) — that is £7,124 a year.

For a full-time place (50 hours), it is £263 a week, or £13,676 a year.

Such is the expense that 60.5 per cent of women who had an abortion in the last five years said childcare costs were a factor in their decision.

Lack of staff has led many nurseries to close or reduce services, according to the National Day Nurseries Association, while industry group the Early Years Alliance found more than a third of nursery workers are considering leaving the sector.

Prime Minister Liz Truss and Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza have been vocal about the need for an urgent and cost-effective solution.

In England nurseries must have at least one adult per four kids aged two or over, or per three for under-twos.

The PM is considering scrapping these regulations, leaving nurseries free to decide how many staff they need.

Earlier this year Boris Johnson proposed to relax the ratios for two-year-olds from four to five children per member of staff, matching Scotland.

The Government said doing so would save £40 a week for a family spending £265 a week on childcare.

But mums have railed against the potential changes.

Rachel Hine, mum to children aged three and one, believes staffing ratios should not change.

The 39-year-old carer from Nottingham says: “Even if changing ratios made my fees less, it’s too dangerous and could have grave repercussions.

“I know a couple who lost their baby at nursery after he choked.

"They’ve started a petition to stop the Government from changing ratios.

‘NURSERY SAVINGS COULD BE PASSED TO PARENTS’

“I urgently need the cost of childcare to drop as I already do four shifts a week, plus a weekend to make ends meet.

“My husband, who is an IT worker, does overtime every Sunday, yet we only have around £200 a month left after childcare and bills.

"But cutting staff to make childcare more affordable is not an option.”

Michelle Lee, 32, is also against ratios changing.

The married accounting manager from Braintree, Essex, who has son George, says: “I pay £776 a month for our two-year-old to go to nursery three days a week, which is unliveable as our mortgage, heating and food costs still need to be met.

“But if the Government lets nurseries choose ratios to lower costs, I believe we’d see an increase in neglect of children.”

Some childcare providers see ratio changes as a positive.

One nursery owner from Greater London, who did not wish to be named, told us: “With this new freedom, the amount of staff nurseries employ will become a unique selling point to safety-conscious parents.

"If the shake-up comes into effect, they may be able to pick a nursery based on their own beliefs and level of comfort.

“The savings nurseries make could be passed on to parents.

“Also, it’s important to remember that nurseries are governed by Ofsted, so no matter how many children are looked after per adult, practices will always be ethical and, most importantly, safe.”

Many believe a ratio change could work best in settings with a mix of older and younger children.

Angela Andrea, who owned three nurseries for 25 years before selling them in 2018, agrees there could be benefits.

She says: “While I don’t agree with Truss’s idea, there are positives to looking at the way ratios work, and how we can support both nurseries and parents financially.

"For example, we could trial nurseries working more akin to childminder ratios – which will allow mixed age ranges in smaller settings.

"Another option would be to combine the current 1:4 for two-year-olds and 1:8 ratios – for three to eight-year-olds which might mean a nursery could employ one less member of staff.

"But if there would be any change to ratios, there absolutely must be trials and consultations. It's imperative."

The Children’s Commissioner thinks making the school day longer could be a partial solution.

Dame Rachel, who was a teacher and head teacher for 31 years, says: “Breakfast clubs are incredibly cheap to run — but are so helpful for parents.

At after-school clubs children can do their homework, so when parents pick them up after work they can have family time.

“It does cost teacher time, but my recommendation is we look at this nationally and think, ‘How can we support parents with real wrap-around care and holiday care?’.”

‘CARE MUST BE GOOD – OUR KIDS ARE PRECIOUS’

While there may be added costs, the Commissioner feels the benefits would pay off.

She says: “We don’t need to worry about energy, as in the model I’m proposing the schools are open anyway. So it is making better use of them.

“What is really expensive is if you have teachers teaching a longer school day.

“Sports, homework or games could be done more cost-effectively using charities, youth workers or a range of people who would love the opportunity.”

Teacher Jessica Nash, 32, from Kidderminster, Worcs, sees first-hand the need for more and cheaper childcare, but is wary of extending the school day.

She says: “Teachers work more than the school opening hours — an average of ten hours a day, plus weekends and holidays.

“Unless there is an increase in our wages, which is unlikely, extra time we work will be for free.”

Since a recent survey from campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed and Mumsnet revealed two thirds of parents are paying as much, or more, for their childcare than for their rent or mortgage, Dame Rachel believes moving nurseries to schools could also help lower costs.

She says: “Pupil numbers are falling in primary schools, so there are empty spaces.

“Think about having nurseries on site. All of those adults with specialities, like head teachers and Senco (special educational needs co-ordinators) can help.”

With 43 per cent of mothers considering leaving their job as a result of childcare costs, Dame Rachel thinks there are positive solutions on the horizon.

She says: “Childcare is a great place for the Government to spend its pound, as you want people to go into work feeling happy, certain their children are happy, safe and in the best environment possible.

“I cannot think of a better place for the Government to invest.

“Care has got to be good, too, as our children are precious.”