CMA Scrutiny of Nursery Charges: What Early Years Providers Must Prepare For

The Education Secretary has asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine childcare costs charged to parents utilising the funded early years offer. This move signals potential scrutiny of how nurseries and early years settings structure their fees and what parents are expected to pay beyond the government-funded hours. Competition lawyer Charlie Markillie analyses the implications of this investigation for early years providers, warning that settings should begin preparing now for the potential outcomes. The examination could lead to significant changes in how childcare provision is priced and regulated, affecting both private and maintained nurseries across the country. Early years settings are advised to review their current charging structures and practices in anticipation of the CMA's findings. This development represents a key moment for the sector as policymakers seek to balance sustainable funding for providers with affordable access for families.