The Reality Of 30 Hours Funded Childcare
Whilst this is great for children to enable parents to return to work, it is not without its problems. It is only for 38 weeks of the year – although it can be stretched across the whole year.
Parents have to apply online to check eligibility. For more information about Tax-Free Childcare as a parent, go to
www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. Parents have had problems accessing their code, but this is now being resolved.
For providers, we welcome the 30hrs for children, but in reality there is no such thing as ‘free’ childcare – it is ‘subsidised’ by providers. We actually pay for children to attend our provision as the funding rate is a lot lower than our normal fees. Even the large nurseries cannot deliver the hours for nothing – bills have to be paid.
“Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free high quality childcare. It is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables, additional hours or additional activities. Parents can also expect to pay for other consumables (the list is endless: paint, paper, tissues, toilet rolls, paper towels, resources, photos, children’s record books, cooking, etc) or additional activities offered by the provider.” DfE also states “Private, voluntary and independent providers are free to set own criteria for the admission of children. We recognise that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.”
We have to charge for additionals, as the hourly rate
Poole Local Authority receives from Government is £4.30. In Poole, providers receive under £4 an hour from the Local Authority.
Across the country, good and outstanding settings are closing. 10,000 childminders have already left the sector in the past year.
Providers in the pilot areas, contrary to the Childcare Minister’s public statements, have only been able to remain viable by charging additional money due to the low level of funding.
Providers face increasing costs in business rates, living wage, staff wages, pensions and general consumables – but the funding rate will remain the same until 2020. This will have a knock on effect especially on jobs.
Like any business you have to remain viable and make a profit otherwise you are operating illegally and have to close.
Please support your childcare providers. The Government wants Champagne childcare on lemonade funding, see
www.champagnenurseries.co.uk – also contact your local MP.
Your childcare providers need your support to provide the best for your child. Inadequate funding is a recipe for disaster and the deal the Government is offering will fall flat if the scheme is not funded properly. Quality of provision will be affected.
Government needs to invest in the Early Years properly in order to give children a good start to their education.
Broadstone Christian Nursery
Broadstone Christian Nursery, a small purpose built nursery with an adjoining outdoor environment, located in the centre of Broadstone. Children aged 2-8 years. Funded for 30 hours from September 2017.
Open Monday to Friday 8.00-18.00, 48 weeks a year 161 Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8NU
www.broadstonechristiannursery.com
01202 601748
“Staff have high expectations of what children can achieve and quickly adapt activities to include and challenge each child individually.” Ofsted August 2015 (Awarded Outstanding)
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To advertise, please contact 01202 657317 or email
karen@broadstonelink.co.uk 04/04/2017 10:04:40
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