Nick Gibb was invited to ABC Nursery in Bognor Regis to meet the manager and proporietor, Jan Turney, to discuss her concerns about the low level of funding for free nursery places from West Sussex County Council.
Mrs Turney told Mr Gibb that the hourly rate of £3.77 which WSCC paid for the scheme, was too little and had not changed for years. The actual cost of providing a place at either of her two nurseries in the town is about £4.20 per hour.
Following his visit, Nick Gibb said, "ABC Day Nursery has been in existence for many years and is very popular with Aldwick parents. Some of the children who attended the nursery soon after it was established are now sending their own children to the nursery. I have raised Jan Turney's concerns with the County Council. We must ensure this highly regarded nursery school is able to continue for many years to come."
Photo: Nick Gibb with Jan Turney and children from the ABC Day Nursery.