Hereford and Worcester childcare providers and parents worry about rising costs in the new year
A mum and childcare provider is concerned money will be tight in 2024
We're hearing childcare providers in Worcester are worrying about rising costs and new government policies- as we head into 2023.
From January, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to register to access 15 hours free childcare per week - which will be accessible from April 2024.
Shelley Kendall runs nursery Nature Makers in the Droitwich and Worcester area alongside parenting her 3 year old.
She shares with us her concerns for the next year:
"There's going to be a need to balance the finances because we are still in a cost of living crisis.
"Many providers are having to raise their prices because they can't afford to trade at reduced prices, but many parents can't afford to pay these increased prices.
"I have to think about my income and have to increase my prices this year, in addition I'm thinking more carefully about resources - cost of food is such a huge consideration.
"What I'm hearing from many childcare providers is that the government funding isn't providing enough for them to offer what they want to offer and what I'm hearing from parents is that they are just hanging on waiting for the funding."