Tops Day Nurseries met with 11 local MP’s in Parliament asking them to show support for local childcare providers.
Representatives of Tops Day Nurseries took part in a campaign day in Parliament which was organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Childcare and Early Education. The event saw 100 childcare providers gather in Parliament to meet with MPs and Peers to share their experiences of the government’s 30 hours childcare policy.
The policy, which was rolled out nationally in September 2017, has been criticised by providers and parents for being underfunded. Childcare providers across the country have raised concerns that this threatens their long term financial sustainability and are calling on MPs to campaign the Government to increase its funding.
Speaking after the event in Parliament Cheryl Hadland said: “I am delighted that so many of our MP’s could attend the APPG meeting in Westminster.
At all of our Tops nurseries we provide high-quality early education to our children, and we’re pleased that the Government’s 30-hours childcare policy means that more 3 and 4 year- -olds can benefit from our services.
However, funding across the South Coast is less than the cost of delivery, and this puts our future at risk. This is why I look forward to working with our local MP’s to campaign for a more sustainable future for childcare providers and parents.”
Representatives of Tops Day Nurseries that joined Cheryl Hadland consisted of Amy Alderson Operations Director, Jeff Everett Commercial Director, Harriet Pacey Business Development Director, Zoe Roberts Marketing Manager and Lucy Abrahams Marketing Assistant. The team met with an MP for almost each nursery constituency and gained valuable insight to what more could be done to help combat the funding issues.
A number of local MP’s attended the lobby day, including Michael Tomlinson – MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, Sir Desmond Swayne – MP for New Forest West, Luke Pollard – MP for Plymouth, Sir Christopher Chope – MP for Christchurch, John Glen – MP for Salisbury and assistants representing Conor Burns – MP for Bournemouth West and Bob Seely MBE – MP for Isle of Wight.
Tops Day Nurseries are delighted to announce, Sir Desmond Swayne MP, Micheal Tomlinson MP and Luke Pollard MP have signed a pledge to their commitment to support local childcare providers.