Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Child Care Solicitors

Report calls on government to secure future of state nurseries (12 March 2015)

Date: 12/03/2015
Duncan Lewis, Child Care Solicitors, Report calls on government to secure future of state nurseries

A new report into state nurseries is warning that local authority budget cuts are making local state nurseries vulnerable to closure.

The report by the organisation Early Education calls on the government to secure the future of state nurseries, which serve some of the most vulnerable children in society.

The report reveals that in the last 30 years, one-third of state nurseries have shut with a total of 200 nurseries closing down during that period.

Among the remaining 400 state nurseries, many more are facing closure, the report warns.

Chief executive of Early Education, Beatrice Merrick, said that nursery schools are “unique” because they have a set of characteristics which have prove to be “highly effective”.

State nurseries are required to employ qualified teachers, whereas privately-run nurseries are not, she said.

Ms Merrick added that local authorities are not required to fund state nurseries as they do other schools, however – making them vulnerable to cuts.

“The gradual erosion of nursery schools is on the verge of becoming a rapid collapse,” Ms Merrick warned.

The Department for Education (DfE) said, however, that state nursery schools were funded “in the same way as every other early education provider”.

“Maintained nursery schools are a vital part of our range of early years provision that offers choice and flexibility,” a DfE spokesman added.

Local councils set funding for local state nurseries – however, recent figures show that the cost of private nursery places has rocketed after the government offered low-income families 15 hours a week of free nursery education.

Duncan Lewis Children Lawyers

Duncan Lewis children lawyers can advise on family law and child care matters, including children taken into Local Authority care and care proceedings, as well as child contact and residence following divorce or separation and Court of Protection cases.

Duncan Lewis is also one of the UK’s leading firms of Legal Aid solicitors and can advise on childcare and family matters under UK law or Islamic law.

For expert legal advice on family law and child care matters, contact Duncan Lewis children lawyers on 020 7923 4020.


For all Child Care related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.