Toddlers petition reaches House of Commons (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

Toddlers petition reaches House of Commons

July 26, 2007 11:04 AM

Cambridge MP David Howarth has presented a petition in Parliament calling for better funding for Cambridge nurseries.

The petition signatures were collected by parents and staff at ACE nursery in Cambridge and were presented to David by the nursery's toddlers. The nursery's future is under threat following changes to how nursery places for three and four year olds are funded. The Government does not fully reimburse the nursery for the full cost of providing free nursery education to three and four year olds and new regulations are likely to make the situation for independent and charitable nurseries like ACE.

David commented:

"The Government's funding formula ignores the real cost of providing pre-school education in areas like Cambridge. We want good quality and affordable pre-school education but the Government must fund it properly so that local nurseries like ACE are not forced to close.

David accepts petition from nursery's toddlers

David Howarth accepts the petition from ACE Nursery

"The current funding formula means that this nursery is losing £270 per year for every child entitled to free nursery care. This is not a cost the nursery, which is itself a charity, can continue to bear. I hope that the Government will listen to the concerns of Cambridge's parents and toddlers and fund Cambridge fairly."