FUNDING has been given to an Alresford nursery to help with expenses and to guarantee services continue.
Meon Springs Montessori in Kilmeston Road, Alresford, has received a boost of £4,999 from the childcare sustainability grant, awarded by Hampshire County Council’s director of children’s services, Stuart Ashley.
The nursery is said to be experiencing financial difficulties with a potential loss of service in an area of current need for childcare.
As a result, it is changing the business model to reduce costs and increase child numbers at the nursery.
The grant aims to support the financial sustainability of the nursery so it can carry on offering early years education for up to 24 children without impacting families.
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Conditions of the funding mean the nursery has to continue to access regular childcare business “surgery” support and monitor its cash flow forecast.
Therefore, management of the setting should also develop a marketing plan to maximise child occupancy.
The ‘childcare sustainability grant’ is part of Hampshire County Council’s Covid-19 response. Up to £209,000 has been made available to childcare providers who require support with short-term financial sustainability.
In February 2021, the director of children’s services, in consultation with the executive lead member, gave the authority to approve awards to providers where sufficiency of need is evidenced and where, without financial support, the provider may be unable to operate, like Meon Springs Montessori.
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