Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Council cuts to childcare provision
LABOUR-LED COUNCIL OPENING THE DOOR TO PRIVATISATION IN HARINGEY
Families in one of London’s most deprived boroughs are fighting to save the only early years nursery in their area, amid fears that the council-imposed fee increases will price the local community out of vital childcare services and pave the way for privatisation.
Parents of children at the Triangle Children’s Centre in Seven Sisters are appealing to Haringey council to work with them to find alternatives to the drastic plans, which will see the closure of the under 2’s nursery leaving over 80 families already on the waiting list with no prospect of childcare provision and those who had been due to start in September having their places rescinded.
Additionally, the centre plans a 70% fee increase for 2-3 year olds, raising fees 50% above market average in the area. A full time nursery place will now cost around £16,000 per year in an area where the average income is just £25,000.
The Council’s own assessments acknowledge that these changes will cause enrollment to drop below financially sustainable levels and have a negative impact on the community, especially black and minority ethnic families, women and single parents. A survey by the centre’s Parents Forum shows that 58% of parents will be forced to pull their children out of the centre, with several already having done so. There is no indication of any alternative long-term viable solution that will provide accessible childcare to the community.
So far, however, the Council has shut parents out of the decision-making process, its official response to parents’ groups claiming that it is not legally obligated to consult those affected by this decision.
Despite local authorities appearing to have known the impact of the changes since February 2017, families were only notified about the changes in July 2017. With only 7 weeks until the changes take effect in September, many families have suddenly found themselves without affordable childcare. Without alternative provisions, the Parents Forum fears many parents will be forced to quit or be unable to return to work.
The Childcare Act 2006 says the local authority must ensure sufficient childcare provision to enable parents in their area to take up work, remain in work, or undertake education or training to help them work.
For more information, contact Triangle Parents’ Forum by:
Twitter: @TriangleParents
Facebook: @TriangleAction
Email : triangleparents@gmail.com
Families in one of London’s most deprived boroughs are fighting to save the only early years nursery in their area, amid fears that the council-imposed fee increases will price the local community out of vital childcare services and pave the way for privatisation.
Parents of children at the Triangle Children’s Centre in Seven Sisters are appealing to Haringey council to work with them to find alternatives to the drastic plans, which will see the closure of the under 2’s nursery leaving over 80 families already on the waiting list with no prospect of childcare provision and those who had been due to start in September having their places rescinded.
Additionally, the centre plans a 70% fee increase for 2-3 year olds, raising fees 50% above market average in the area. A full time nursery place will now cost around £16,000 per year in an area where the average income is just £25,000.
The Council’s own assessments acknowledge that these changes will cause enrollment to drop below financially sustainable levels and have a negative impact on the community, especially black and minority ethnic families, women and single parents. A survey by the centre’s Parents Forum shows that 58% of parents will be forced to pull their children out of the centre, with several already having done so. There is no indication of any alternative long-term viable solution that will provide accessible childcare to the community.
So far, however, the Council has shut parents out of the decision-making process, its official response to parents’ groups claiming that it is not legally obligated to consult those affected by this decision.
Despite local authorities appearing to have known the impact of the changes since February 2017, families were only notified about the changes in July 2017. With only 7 weeks until the changes take effect in September, many families have suddenly found themselves without affordable childcare. Without alternative provisions, the Parents Forum fears many parents will be forced to quit or be unable to return to work.
The Childcare Act 2006 says the local authority must ensure sufficient childcare provision to enable parents in their area to take up work, remain in work, or undertake education or training to help them work.
For more information, contact Triangle Parents’ Forum by:
Twitter: @TriangleParents
Facebook: @TriangleAction
Email : triangleparents@gmail.com
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