WKEYC is a member of the sector membership association called 2020 Together (We Can) (2020twc).
2020twc was established in 2017 to represent owners and directors of nurseries in the Private Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector, with a focus on the 1140hrs funding proposals.
Back in 2017, 2020twc highlighted to government all the issues we as a sector would face because of such a rapid expansion, particularly of the Public Sector.
Unfortunately, the warnings went unchecked and the inequities we see today set in.
We have ended up with a funding model that favours public sector nurseries over PVI settings. This is despite the policy saying funding would be sector neutral and there would be a level playing field. Funding was supposed to follow the child, it doesn’t.
We’ve ended up with massive churn in staffing in the PVI as there is a huge pay gap between what we are funded to pay our staff in the PVI compared to what an equivalently qualified member of staff in the public sector is paid. PVI are funded to Real Living Wage – currently £12 per hour, whilst public nursery jobs start at £16 per hour, rates agreed with COSLA and the public sector unions.
The funding and pay gaps have led to all of our children in PVI nurseries being treated inequitably.
To address these three issues the members of 2020twc have self-funded a video to tell our story.
Its All About the Children Video
In addition to the video 2020twc have also produced a supporting written manifesto which sets out three asks and four ways for government to meet these asks.
The aim is to work with Government to resolve these matters to ensure we secure:
Fair & equal funding
Equal pay for our PVI staff (it’s the same job) to align with the public sector and
All of our children being treated equitably, where funding does truly follow the child.
You may now be asking what you can do to help?
It’s simple, view the video, read the manifesto and if you agree with our collective aims, please tell us so. Parents, staff and other stakeholders have the power to effect policy change and to help us deliver on our simple aims.
As the video and manifesto make clear, ‘IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN’.
We need a level playing field and that every child is valued and funded to the same level, so that the pay gap can be closed. This will then allow us and all the other PVI nurseries in Scotland to concentrate on the day job of providing world class Early Learning & Childcare for all our under 5’s.
Please support our campaign and make our voice heard.
To show your support let us know what you can do to help. And if you need further information, please email directors@2020twc.co.uk to let them know what you are looking for.
Enjoy the video and the read. We think it’s fantastic. It’s 10 minutes to tell a very complex story in a simple and engaging manner.