Childcare Tax Break ‘Reinventing Wheel’, Says Nursery Owner
News release
10th January 2012
A nursery owner in Cardiff has cast doubt over the Government’s proposals to introduce a new tax credit to help working parents cover the cost of childcare.
Abeer Bafaqih, who runs Daisy Day Nursery in Llanishen and Barry, says she welcomes any help from the Government with the cost of childcare.
But she argues that the current system of vouchers and tax credits works well for parents and questions why a different system is needed.
“I can sympathise with parents who find childcare expensive, and since the credit crunch and the recession we have seen purse strings tighten and more parents reducing their children’s attendance to try and cut their outgoings,” said Abeer.
“Government help with the cost of childcare can only improve things for nurseries, but the existing tax credits and vouchers already make a big difference to parents who use our nurseries.
“I suspect this new policy is just re-inventing the wheel. Why replace a system that works? The childcare element of the tax credits has been superb in helping parents return to work.”
As part of the the Coalition Government’s mid-term review announced on Monday, David Cameron and Nick Clegg unveiled proposals under which families could be entitled to claim up to £2,000 per child every year from their tax bills to cover the cost of childminders and nurseries.
The proposals will be hammered out today (Thursday) at a ministerial meeting which could also discuss relaxing regulations to allow nursery staff to look after more children – a move which could allow nurseries to expand and reduce bills for parents.
Abeer Bafaqih welcomes the attempt to reduce costs for nurseries but is unsure about the effect on quality.
“Deregulation might reduce the cost of childcare in some cases, but there’s a danger that it might also impact on the quality of childcare provided by nurseries,” she said.
Notes to editors
Daisy Day Nursery looks after children aged up to five at two settings in Llanishen, Cardiff and Barry.
The Llanishen setting has 57 registered places while the Barry nursery is slightly larger with 77 registered places.
The Llanishen setting opened in 2004 while the Barry nursery opened in 2010.
The company also runs Coconuts play centre in Barry.
Visit www.daisydaynursery.com or www.nutsaboutfun.com
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
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