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Original poster

Reduction in Early Years funding

32 replies

KatyMac · 25/03/2015 10:53

I'm a childminder; my council has reduced my Early Years funding from £5.06 per hour to £3.91 (with a flexibility & level 7 subsidy). My normal rate is between £5 (full days) & £5.75 (part days)

Can I still afford to offer this as a service to my parents?

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HSMMaCM · 25/03/2015 18:20

You could have a higher standard rate for 3 and 4 year olds (legitimately charging more for other hours).

It was suggested that you 'encourage' them to take more hours, not force them.

It is ridiculous that settings are finding ways to work around an unsustainable system and the government should stop pretending they're fully funding.

If my mindees only took funded hours, I would have to withdraw funded places ... And how would that help parents ?! Basic rate here is £3.11 + supplements, which fortunately I am eligible for.

Original poster
KatyMac · 25/03/2015 13:59

We aren't allowed to:

a) charge more for the other hours
b) fix it so you can't have just 3 hrs

It's very unfair when Nurseries can have 1:8 & we have 1:3

OP posts:
Cindy34 · 25/03/2015 12:02

Would adding 50p an hour to unfunded hours cover the loss in funding, given your typical occupancy rate (is it occupancy rate? That sounds more like hotel beds rather than childcare places)

Cindy34 · 25/03/2015 11:56

If a child attends 8.45-11.45 funded session, could they be encouraged to stay for lunch, so you have 30mins or more of chargeable time?

Do you have children who only attend the funded sessions?

SoonToBeSix · 25/03/2015 11:53

I did wonder who Earl was Grin

Cindy34 · 25/03/2015 11:51

Depends what your costs are but £3.91 is not a lot especially if you employ staff and have a high adult:child ratio, instead of the minimum ratio permitted.

Can you do sessions in such a way that it is hard for someone to have funded time only? Not in the spirit of things but if you only have funded children and not any paying for additional hours, your setting becomes unsustainable.

What has the council said about how they will keep settings sustainable given the funding cut? They have to provide childcare places and if providers can not do it at the funding amount, what happens? Are there local meetings you can go to with other providers - childminders & pre-schools, so you can find out how others may be trying to cope with the funding cut?

Original poster
KatyMac · 25/03/2015 10:55

Major typo title

"Early Years Funding"

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