“Our biggest priority is the children. But we can’t keep showing up for them at the level we want to if the system is this broken.”

Clare Crowther - Director, Atelier

“When there’s no consistency from one local authority to another, how are settings supposed to stay compliant?” This is one of the many questions we’re tackling in this episode of Atelier Talks. This episode is essential listening for any Early Years provider navigating the increasingly complex world of fees, funding and “free” entitlement.

Joined by sector trailblazers Jo Morris (Play Steps, CNLF, Early Years Voices) and Jen & Rose from Snapdragons Nurseries, we unpack the real implications of recent government funding changes, from April’s updated guidance to the September expansion of entitlements. We talk about transparency, administration overload, and the widening gap between funding rates and the real cost of delivering quality early years education.

If you’re a nursery owner, manager or educator trying to protect the quality of your provision while staying financially sustainable, this episode offers clarity (and solidarity!) and perhaps some inspiration from other settings navigating these changes.

In this episode:

• What changed in April and September, and what’s coming next…
• Why the “voluntary” charges guidance has made things more confusing
• How the narrative of “free childcare” is misleading families
• What additional services EY settings can charge for and what’s now restricted
• How the changes are affecting family choice, local partnerships, and team morale
• Practical tips for preparing your invoices, agreements and audit trail
• Why providers in multiple LAs are struggling to stay compliant across regions
• What the clawback risk means for your operations
• What Early Years Voices is doing to campaign for real change

Find out more:

Connect with our guests:

• Jo Morris / Champagne Nurseries, Lemonade Funding – Facebook group link (CNLF)
• Early Years Voices – https://earlyyearsvoice.org/
• Snapdragons Nurseries – https://www.snapdragonsnursery.com/

Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk

Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd

Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website

Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning.

Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast

Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative

Keywords: early years funding 2024, free childcare, 30 hours funding, voluntary charges EYFS, early years admin, EYFS fee structure, funded hours nursery, sustainability nursery funding, early years voices, champagne nurseries lemonade funding, local authority audits EYFS, clawback childcare, early years DfE guidance, provider agreements, nursery compliance UK