Nursery World - Nursery World Business Summit

‘UK nursery businesses: striving for success’ was the theme of this Big Debate at Nursery World’s recent Business Summit. Hannah Crown reports

(Left to right) Christie & Co’s Courteney Donaldson; Andy Morris, chairman, Little Garden Day Nurseries; August Equity partner, Christian Dubé; and Michael Hodges, Care Consultancy

If the Government doesn’t invest more funding urgently, a sustainable, quality childcare sector is at risk, according to a leading property expert.

Speaking at the Nursery World Business Summit earlier this month, Courteney Donaldson, managing director of childcare and education at Christie & Co, said, ‘Childcare is now back on the political agenda, but it will soon fall off again.

‘There is a massive shortfall in funding, and that is impacting on sustainability. It is not doing what it needs to: to grow the sector and recruit, retain and pay staff to the level that is required.

‘My concern is if things stay the way they are, if investment is not made now, we are not going to have stable high-quality early years provision for all our children and families in 20 years’ time.’

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