THIRTEEN nurseries in south Buckinghamshire will withdraw about 400 free places this September – leaving parents to pay full costs or look elsewhere.

Buckinghamshire County Council confirmed the number after two Beaconsfield nurseries told the Bucks Free Press they had 'no option' but to pull out of the Government's scheme (see link below).

Several nursery owners in Bucks said they have struggled with high overheads and staff costs compared to other areas of the country, so it has become common for parents to be charged a 'top-up fee' to cover costs.

This system has worked reasonably well, the nurseries said, but from September a statutory code of practice will stop them charging extra.

The nurseries which have withdrawn from the scheme are: Hiawatha Montessori, The Beacon School, Oakwood Nursery and Penn Cottage in Beaconsfield, Beehive Montessori and Stepping Stones in Amersham, Chilterns Montessori in Seer Green, Denning Montessori School in Fawley, St Mary’s, Gayhurst and Maltmans Green in Gerrards Cross and Godstowe and Pipers Corner in High Wycombe.

The nurseries, which formed the South Bucks Nursery Forum to oppose the changes, had also hoped the new coalition Government would scrap plans to increase the number of free hours provided from 12.5 to 15 hours a week, but the policy has remained.

They believe other nurseries may have to follow suit, creating a shortage of free places.

Chris Munday, Buckinghamshire's Director for commissioning in education, said: "We really are a hostage to fortune in this situation. We have to work within a statutory framework, and there's no leeway in that.

"If there is a shortage of places, it would be our responsibility to try to encourage other providers to fill the gap. Only as a last resort would a local authority have to provide places itself.

"Of course, we are monitoring the situation and continuing to work with providers to make sure all children requiring nursery places get them."