Helpful tips on how to prepare for the 30hrs free childcare scheme
As we all know from this September working families will be able to claim 30hrs free childcare. For many childcare providers, this Government scheme has caused nothing but concerning issues. Come April new funding given to providers will be under the Early Years Funding Formula. Therefore providers need to plan and be prepared for all these changes.
Many providers are considering not offering the 30hrs free childcare scheme due to financial reasons. The government’s scheme is not free at the point of delivering. Therefore settings are having to subside the shortfall as funding being given is just not enough.
To help providers be prepared for this scheme, here are a few helpful tips
Conduct a survey
To help give you a better understanding of what parents would be looking to claim, conduct a short survey to give you further information such as the exact amount of parents that would be eligible.
Do some number crunching
Once you have an idea of what your local authorities are going to give you per child, begin looking at figures and working out how best to offset the shortfall in funding, don’t forget you can claim for additional services outside of the funded ours, e.g., meals, snacks nappies, trips, etc
Look at availability and capacity
Create a forecast of your availability as well as what your capacity is, you may want to cap the amount of places you can offer. It is worth looking at the amount of younger children you have as well, as this is where it few years to come it could affect your business as these children will eventually be claiming the 30hrs free childcare.
Charging for additional services
Contact your local authority and find out what other services you can charge for outside of the funded hours.
As the Governments scheme will be here before we know it, take this time to starting planning and looking at how best you can offer this scheme.