Parents confused over the interpretation of the 30hrs free childcare scheme
Many parents feel that government have communicated the 30hrs free childcare scheme wrongly. It has now been left to Childcare providers to explain that it is not free at the point of delivery, causing confusion for parents.
With the 30hrs being introduced in September, nurseries are considering whether to offer the scheme. Many nurseries fear they will not become sustainable, as some funding rates are being reduced. Not only will nurseries see an increase in the shortfall of funding, a raise in minimum wages and business rates is also going to hurt many businesses.
With a fifth of nurseries now pulling out on offering the funding, there will be shortage of childcare places, meaning it is the children and families that are going to lose out. However, there is no incentive for childcare providers to offer this scheme.
Many nurseries across the country are looking at how best to provide this scheme and are looking at ways to help decrease the shortfall they are going to be hit with. Charging parents for additional services is also causing confusion for parents and upset for nurseries as this charge is only optional and many parents will opt out paying this charge.
It is governments aim to help working parents with the cost of childcare, but many nurseries will not be around in the future to offer childcare unless something is done to help childcare providers. Children will miss out on their early education, potentially causing some children to fall behind when starting school. With the government’s aim of narrowing attainment gaps, how will this be achieved when childcare places are being reduced? and again it will be the children who are going to suffer.
Many childcare providers are more than happy to offer the extra hours but not if they are going to be offering these places at a loss.
It would be good to hear how other nurseries are feeling about this whole situation and how they communicated it more effectively to parents?
While the government is dragging its heals, both Good and Outstanding settings are closing through underfunding…our children deserve better treatment than this, they are being let down through cost cutting!
We are piloting the 30 hours from next term as our local authority (North Yorks) have been chosen as an early implementer. We have tried to be 100% open and honest with our parents throughout. we have communicated the underfunding and developed a 2 contract model that gives parents a choice of paying for additional services or accessing a totally free place. Both are available subject to availability, By communicating the impact the partial-funding rate might have on our provision, parents have been very supportive. But it’s actually time for the government to admit the places aren’t free, simply subsidised and let us get on with the job in hand rather than spending so many hours jumping through hoops to make this mess work.
Not just nurseries. Childminders and Pre-schools are equally affected.
The government need to drop the word “Free” replace it with the word “subsidised” and allow top up fees. This will mean a lower childcare bill but give the nurseries and childminders a chance to remain sustainable.
Yes, parents have been mid-informed! Most think it’s a ‘done deal’ and are actually expecting it as a right from Sept.
I have put out an information sheet and a questionnaire to all my parents. Depending on the response and how the sums work out, we may offer additional hours – or not!
I’m angry that the hourly figures put out by the government are so incorrect too. About 1% of my parents are eligible for us to get EYPP. Also, that is NOT the amount settings receive because LA’s can take some off for ‘admin’ before passing it on. What about the admin time Individual settings spend on ‘admin’?
Now, on top of all this, the government has increased NIC for the self employed. It’s a joke! As an employer, I pay a higher NIC contribution for every employee than they pay. I cannot claim sick pay, maternity/paternity pay or holiday pay. And schools are losing funding, so won’t be interested in extending their hours either. If you ask me, the government have shit themselves in the proverbial foot!
Well said.
Why do we as providers have to deal with the mess the government are throwing at us?
We are the ones who need to deal with the angry parents when we explain the 30 free hours isn’t actually free!
I’m not sure if we will offer, the rates out LA are quoting is less than 80% of our set hourly rate! How long can providers go in with such high losses?? ?
The whole set up of early years education needs to be reviewed. It so important that children get a good grounding. Pre-school has always been the ” cinderella”. No builder would build a house without good foundations. The government should be more aware that money should not only be thrown ( often wasted) money at secondry education but at pre-schools and primaries.