Hopscotch Nurseries, an independent nursery chain based in East Sussex, are deeply affected by issues of finance and viability. Her nursery’s other branch in Seaford is booming with customers, and it’s a challenge to keep up with the demand. It’s sold out through at least 2027! This extraordinary demand comes at a time of significant financial stress for the organization.
Beginning 1 September, Hopscotch Nurseries will provide all working parents in England with 30 hours of free childcare per week, during school term times. This service is offered to kids ages nine months to four years. However, despite this laudable initiative, the amount that the government pays — known as “funding rate” — is less than 50% of the cost that the nursery incurs. Philip Ford, managing director of Hopscotch Nurseries, highlighted the stark financial reality:
“It comes in at around £5.50 per hour for the three and four-year-olds, and we’ve broadly worked out we’re spending around £12.50 per hour, so there’s a significant shortfall there.”
This funding gap inhibits the nursery’s capacity to provide market rates of pay that are needed to recruit and retain a skilled workforce. Ford went on to lament the long-term sustainability of the nursery, saying,
“There are big question marks over the sustainability at the moment, particularly over the levels of funding for the older cohort.”
The nursery mostly opened to children of certain age groups. Today’s nursery sector Today, thanks to the recent successful recruitment campaign, more than 18,000 nursery workers were attracted into the nursery sector in 2025. Even with support from grants, Hopscotch Nurseries is struggling to hire sufficient staff—financial burdens are multifold amidst skyrocketing food and energy prices.
Gemma Sutton, who runs the Seaford branch of Hopscotch Nurseries, explained that there had been a huge uptick in parental interest.
“We have a lot of parents coming round pregnant and booking ahead of giving birth to make sure they get their place.”
Despite the government investing £8 billion into the nursery sector, Hopscotch Nurseries remains concerned about the adequacy of funding for its programs, especially for older children. The hopeful reality at present makes you wonder how much longer the nursery can keep playing ball under these circumstances.
