It is now more than two months since the Government's consultation on relaxing child to adult ratios closed, and it has still not reached a decision on whether or not to listen to the deafening opposition of both families and the sector.
The arguments put forward in this week's Westminster Hall debate on the subject clearly showed there is consensus that existing ratios should remain – and with participating MPs united in this view, the 109,000 people who have signed the petition can take some comfort that it probably won't come to pass (news, 15 November). But at this moment in time, nothing seems certain.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor has just unveiled his Autumn Budget statement, which has very little in it to offer solace. Despite the call to abolish business rates, from April nursery businesses will see their business rates revalued and most likely increase. And while it is right that all staff should receive a fair wage for the work they do, the announcement in the Budget to increase the minimum wage to £10.42 per hour without committing to an equivalent increase in early years funding is unsustainable. With research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (news, 11 November ) highlighting that funding for the entitlement for two-, three- and four-year-olds is likely to fall by 8 per cent in real terms in the coming year, providers are preparing to feel the cold.
One antidote to that coldness is the warmth and good cheer that many settings are creating this festive season, without splashing cash. After a tough couple of years of lockdowns, being able to safely get together and celebrate as a community is something truly wonderful, as our feature on page 18 explores. The way in which nurseries are demonstrating their mindfulness of all faiths, or none, and are favouring nature over commercialisation, highlights an enduring optimism and creativity.
