| |
MP: Child care is a ‘total mess’
Tories accused of milking nurseries
KAREN Buck MP has hit out at the council for the way it runs nursery schools, claiming parents are being priced out of their nearest service because of spiralling rents.
She branded the situation a “complete mess”, highlighting the inequality in provision which sees a growing number of parents facing long queues to get their child an affordable nursery place, while dozens of more expensive services stand empty.
The Labour MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North has demanded an immediate review into fees at the 93 nursery schools in the borough.
The council has confirmed a review is already underway, and that a full list of vacancies, property prices and waiting list times should be made public by the end of the month.
Ms Buck said: “The situation is a complete mess. We are supposed to be aiming to help parents into employment, but they are being priced out of childcare because Westminster Conservatives want to make money from the arrangement.”
Nursery fees vary significantly depending on provider type and the number of sessions attended, with an average cost of full day care at around £250 a week.
Carlton Hill nursery in St John’s Wood currently pays £57,000 a year in rent for its premises, with nearby Lisson Green nursery – on one of the most deprived estates in the country – saddled with a bill of £24, 000.
In September last year the MP accused the council of not “caring” about children after raising rents by 25 per cent at the Church Street Nursery in Lisson Grove.
Ms Buck says these steep rents are passed on to parents in the rising fees. Mike Potter, acting head of early years said: “A review of property policies is under way and is due to be completed by the end of January, and this includes a workshop with representatives of the voluntary sector.
“We have continued to respond positively to requests for financial support from childcare providers, including the Carlton Hill day nursery.” |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
