Jeremy Hunt MP has pledged his full backing to dozens of independent nursery schools in Surrey who are currently worried about the Government’s controversial changes to pre-school education. The new code of practice threatens the financial viability of many small nurseries in and around Godalming, Haslemere and Farnham.Providers will no longer be allowed to charge parents to top-up the difference between what the Government pays and what nurseries charge.Some nurseries fear the new proposals could result in them loosing between £25,000 and £36,000 a year, possibly leading to closure.Jeremy is working closely with Shadow Education Minister Maria Miller MP in order to secure a more financially viable solution for nursery providers.He said: “I am immensely concerned about the mounting waste and uncertainty that current Government policy is creating in the nursery sector. “These new directions to local authorities severely threaten the future of many hundreds of well established and trusted nursery and play group places, some of which could go bust. “The Government has said it is committed to increasing the provision of good quality childcare. “But sadly it appears that ministers do not currently have a grasp on the number of well established nurseries that will be adversely affected by these new rules surrounding the charging of top-up fees.”A meeting was recently held in Milford which was attended by more than 10 representatives from different nurseries. It was organised by Cllr Peter Martin.Jeremy said: “I want the Government to postpone the implementation of these new directions until the facts are known and a proper evaluation of the impact on established nursery provision can be established.”He has since signed an Early Day Motion which calls for this to happen. He has also circulated a petition for people to sign which will be presented to the House of Commons later this year.Jeremy is holding a meeting on September 29 for all pre-school education stakeholders.It is taking place at Elstead Village Hall at 5pm. Maria Miller MP is set to attend. All members of the public and media are invited to attend.