Debunking - The Prime Minister's Letter to Parents and Carers On The Best Start In Life
4th September 2025  – Gov.co.ukfree childcare letter from the Prime Minister
  • “We are making Family Life easier too, with hundreds of school-based nursery places opening this September, and thousands more to come”
  • “Supporting families is at the heart of our plan for change.”
  • There wasn’t any need for change. The government has crippled the early years and education sectors through a lack of valuing the people in these sectors. The government should be listening to the sector rather than making new policies. The sector has all the answers, the government just doesn’t listen.
  • “Nothing will stop me in my mission to back families like yours through Plan for Change, to build a better future for you, for your children, and for Britain”. Translates to “Nothing will stop our agenda to ensure we can control and monitor your children from birth.” School environments do not develop free thinking, creativity, and so much more.

 

 

Debunking - Childcare expansion 'could leave parents paying more'
1st of September 2025 – BBCfree childcare hidden fees

  • Funding gap: Government subsidies often fail to cover the full cost of providing childcare, leaving providers to increase fees for parents to make up the shortfall.

  • Staff shortages: Expansion requires more qualified childcare workers, but with low wages and recruitment challenges, nurseries may raise costs to attract and retain staff.

  • Higher operational costs: More children mean increased demand for facilities, resources, and utilities, which drives up running costs that get passed on to parents.

  • Limited availability: Not all nurseries can expand capacity, so high demand for limited spaces may push prices up.

  • Exclusions and restrictions: Free hours may not cover meals, activities, or extra care (before/after hours), meaning parents still face rising additional charges.

  • Regional disparities: In some areas, especially where childcare is already stretched, parents may face significantly higher costs than the government’s national savings estimates suggest.

  • Inflationary pressures: Rising costs of living (energy, food, rent) hit nurseries hard, leading to inevitable increases in fees regardless of funding.

  • Hidden costs: Parents may have to pay more for extras such as trips, nappies, snacks, or mandatory contributions, which can outweigh the savings from funded hours.

 

NEWS ON THE CHILDCARE CRISIS

small child playing with building blocks

Free childcare crisis as surge in demand leaves Labour with funding black hole:

The Independent – Ministers have been warned the childcare sector is at risk of “collapse” after a boom in demand left a government-funded scheme in a £1 billion funding shortfall. Experts say the unmet gap threatens the sustainability of providers across the country.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Nursery rebellion as they limit free places over funding shortfalls

Nearly 60% of UK nurseries are considering cutting the number of government-funded places due to rising costs and insufficient funding. Some settings may even prioritize fee-paying children or close completely unless immediate support arrives

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Nursery closures likely to be on table if proposed Reform UK funding cut goes ahead

Plans that could see Reform UK cut funding to nurseries in central Lancashire will see job losses, closures and fewer funded spaces for children in deprived areas.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Nursery owner challenges Education Secretary over funding for free childcare

Nursery owner from Peterborough, Gordon, challenges Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson over funding for free childcare.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Childminders ignored in Labour’s nursery expansion – a looming childcare crisis

Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson have promised thousands of new nursery places from September 2025 as part of the first wave of 300 school-based nurseries.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Campaigners call for ‘fairer funding model’ to halt nursery closures

Early years campaigners are calling on the government to put in place a “fairer funding model” for providers to offer the government’s expansion of free childcare hours. 
Read The Full Story →
small child playing with building blocks

Free childcare crisis as surge in demand leaves Labour with funding black hole:

The Independent – Ministers have been warned the childcare sector is at risk of “collapse” after a boom in demand left a government-funded scheme in a £1 billion funding shortfall. Experts say the unmet gap threatens the sustainability of providers across the country.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Nursery rebellion as they limit free places over funding shortfalls

Nearly 60% of UK nurseries are considering cutting the number of government-funded places due to rising costs and insufficient funding. Some settings may even prioritize fee-paying children or close completely unless immediate support arrives

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Nursery closures likely to be on table if proposed Reform UK funding cut goes ahead

Plans that could see Reform UK cut funding to nurseries in central Lancashire will see job losses, closures and fewer funded spaces for children in deprived areas.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Nursery owner challenges Education Secretary over funding for free childcare

Nursery owner from Peterborough, Gordon, challenges Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson over funding for free childcare.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Childminders ignored in Labour’s nursery expansion – a looming childcare crisis

Keir Starmer and Bridget Phillipson have promised thousands of new nursery places from September 2025 as part of the first wave of 300 school-based nurseries.

Read The Full Story →

sad child left out<br />

Campaigners call for ‘fairer funding model’ to halt nursery closures

Early years campaigners are calling on the government to put in place a “fairer funding model” for providers to offer the government’s expansion of free childcare hours. 
Read The Full Story →

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