Please please please don't start harassing your childcare provider about this funding change today

[BernadetteIsMySister]

We know nothing. We have no idea how this will work, what the government are actually offering, how much they will pay and whether we will even be taking part in the scheme (we don't have to!).

I've seen posts already this morning saying they are going to email their nursery manager, finding out how to persuade their childminder to start accepting funding, asking when this will all start etc etc

We don't know.

This will be the nail in the coffin for many settings, please don't start harassing them for details when they will have enough to do today trying to find out how much this will affect them and their business.

Agreed, first we’ve heard of, the same as parents

I’ve already had messages, it’s craziness!

It hasn't actually even been announced. The Guardian have put out what they believe the changes will be and the Government haven't commented.

It's likely that something has been leaked to the Guardian because that's how this government seem to like to test the waters but it isn't guaranteed to be accurate at all.

People need to wait for the budget later today and then wait for the relevant Govt department to actually tell people how it will work practically.

That's shocking. What is wrong with people? Are they really so self absorbed?

or skint?

I think they're just as worried about their finances as childcare providers. The possibility of some help is perhaps what's driving them into this frenzy

Bit of a joke really when there’s a crisis in qualified nursery staff

Snap just about to say the same. Skint need money for food etc.
Its ridiculous that so much is leaked before the budget never used to be allowed.

People are absolutely desperate. They will be scared of missing out and hopeful that this month they might be able to heat AND eat. This thread is really lacking in empathy. Some people are paying every penny they earn towards childcare.

And some people are lacking empathy that settings are also closing in droves due to under funding. Those that provide childcare are also struggling to eat and pay for fuel, they are also choosing whether to eat or stay warm

😂 I'm glad I read this. I couldn't find any further information and was going to suggest my relative pops into the nursery to ask.

And how is messaging your nursery or childminder today going to change that? Do you think it kicks in tomorrow? Do you think we've all have a secret heads up? Do you think we're all sitting on pots of money waiting to fund this bright idea?

@Brokeintopieces this!

So many preschools in our area have closed because they cannot meet their costs.

This could be a really exciting announcement for both settings and parents but no one knows any details yet.

Likewise, childcare providers don't ask your LA.

We know nothing either and are learning this news at exactly the same time as you with no extra knowledge.

I feel your pain. I worked in an accountancy firm when furlough was announced on TV. Within an hour I had 200+ emails from employers asking me how, when, how much... as if I had Boris on a private line 😭.

Agree! Whilst I don't agree with everything our LA does, our funding coordinator is lovely and so helpful and I really feel for her today!

This is why nothing should be leaked from the government till they have the information ready to publish how its going to work.

It wouldn't exactly be difficult for a nursery to draft an email along the lines of

'Dear Parents,

We are aware of the recent news regarding childcare funding for 1year old onwards. We have no further information at the moment but
we will communicate with parents as soon as we do etc etc

Parents in the mean time can find information about help with chilcare cost at xyz.gov.uk

Kind regards,
Xyz nursery'

You can put it on the app/or send a blanket email.

You're being unreasonable. Nurseries are a business. If they can send blanket mails for world book day and last minute snowy weather and could handle covid and all the changing requirements....I'm sure they can handle questions regarding this for a couple of days until there's more clarity.

Pretty sure our nursery won't be having a meltdown about parent questions - because I like to think they're intelligent and capable humans.

I wonder how it will affect childminders who don't offer the funded hours. Their bread and butter is from 1/2yos paying full rate as they then lose the 3yos as they move to a funded setting.

Offering the funded hours at the rate its currently paid is like suddenly giving everyone 50% off in some regions.

@Trader22
Agree!

Nurseries could also put on Website today/ which is where prospective parents will look.,

@Trader22 I think your post is a little bit harsh. I don't think parents emailing nurseries at the moment is appropriate. Nurseries don't have all the answers it hasn't even been announced yet and chances are they're panicking a bit themselves. The funding doesn't cover costs and some have already drowned and some are only keeping themselves afloat by raising costs on the non funded hours. If almost everyone will be entitled to funding then chances are some providers won't survive. Demand will be going up and places will be going down. It's quite scary for an industry already in crisis!

Unless the government is planning full funding I think that it will just force the closure of many childcare providers as they often make a loss on funded hours. Many won't be able to keep going if the funding isn't substantially higher than the £4-5 per hour that they get for the "free" 15/30 funded hours

I didn't think The Guardian was the paper the Tories leaked to!

Are people really so thick that they would do this? It clearly takes 6-12 months to set something like this up.

They are jumping the gun - regardless of what is being offered by government, childcare providers may decide not to offer it to their clients.