SUSTAINABILITY OF NURSERY PLACES

That this House believes that the charging of top up fees for three and four year olds on their parents' entitlement to 12.5 hours of free childcare is divisive and contrary to the principle of equality of access; recognises that providers in some areas are experiencing problems in delivering this free entitlement whilst maintaining the provision of high quality childcare; notes that in many areas local authorities have built up strong partnerships with voluntary and private sector providers based on trust and clear strategic planning; and calls on the Government to investigate fully the adequacy of funding to local authorities for the provision and commissioning of childcare and to investigate the specific points made by the National Day Nurseries Association in its report `the free entitlement and the real cost of childcare in day nurseries' and subsequent submissions to Ministers.