Page 3 | Please please please don't start harassing your childcare provider about this funding change today

BernadetteIsMySister · 2023-03-15T07:15:35+00:00

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.

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

smellyflowers · 15/03/2023 13:39

Where are they going to fit all these extra kids?

NatMoz · 15/03/2023 13:45

ShirleyPhallus · 15/03/2023 13:37

I’d have thought that the government would send out a nicely laid out letter to childcare providers laying out how it will all work, that lands with them today as the general announcement is made

I don’t think it makes people “thick” to think otherwise tbh

I mean 🤣🤣 that would be nice but highly improbable

TheChoiceIsYours · 15/03/2023 14:02

ShirleyPhallus · 15/03/2023 13:37

I’d have thought that the government would send out a nicely laid out letter to childcare providers laying out how it will all work, that lands with them today as the general announcement is made

I don’t think it makes people “thick” to think otherwise tbh

Honestly, what have you EVER seen previously that leads you to think such a thing? Anyone vaguely aware of current affairs is highly, highly likely to know that this is just not how things happen.

Do you not think that if all childcare providers had been pre warned and therefore thousands of people already knew about this, it might have been leaked a while ago…?

TheChoiceIsYours · 15/03/2023 14:03

Or should I say, the organisers of the system - not the providers. Your letter only gets to them today 😊

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 15/03/2023 14:06

Seems like the first new funding isn't going to be available until April next year (and that will just be 15 hours for two year olds). I can imagine that some parents won't take in this detail, and will be expecting money off their childcare bill next month.

I can imagine this will make things tricky for childcare providers, and I hope it doesn't get too difficult for them!

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 14:09

My twins are with a childminder

I know that the LA pay over £4 per hour currently on the funded scheme and according to the budget today that will go up

I pay £42.50 per child for a 9 hour day so circa £4.72 per hour so the LA payment means she isn't out of pocket currently and won't be when it's cascaded down the age group

I also know they are paid the entire term upfront for funded children

Children rarely leave her setting. She's ofsted outstanding

My twins are 2 now - 3 next February but I'm hoping since it says 2 year olds will get 15 hours from April 2024 whereas I was going to have to wait to use the 30 hours from September 24-September 25 when they start school then I will at least be able to access the 15 hours between April and September 2024

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 15/03/2023 14:10

ShirleyPhallus · 15/03/2023 13:37

I’d have thought that the government would send out a nicely laid out letter to childcare providers laying out how it will all work, that lands with them today as the general announcement is made

I don’t think it makes people “thick” to think otherwise tbh

Did they ever do this for e.g. schools during the pandemic? Mostly it was emails to heads the night before which were light on detail.

I think that's a very unrealistic expectation of the current government...

ShirleyPhallus · 15/03/2023 14:10

TheChoiceIsYours · 15/03/2023 14:02

Honestly, what have you EVER seen previously that leads you to think such a thing? Anyone vaguely aware of current affairs is highly, highly likely to know that this is just not how things happen.

Do you not think that if all childcare providers had been pre warned and therefore thousands of people already knew about this, it might have been leaked a while ago…?

Show quote history

Well I haven’t, but I also have never needed to ask a childcare provider for guidance on the fees etc. I’m just saying that it doesn’t make anyone “thick” to think that if they have questions about childcare funding then the childcare providers themselves might be a sensible place to start!

ShirleyPhallus · 15/03/2023 14:11

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 15/03/2023 14:10

Did they ever do this for e.g. schools during the pandemic? Mostly it was emails to heads the night before which were light on detail.

I think that's a very unrealistic expectation of the current government...

Show quote history

I have no idea, I don’t have school age children 🤷‍♀️

Hollyhead · 15/03/2023 14:16

@ShirleyPhallus ok not thick but desperately naive!

PreparationPreparationPrep · 15/03/2023 14:17

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 15/03/2023 14:06

Seems like the first new funding isn't going to be available until April next year (and that will just be 15 hours for two year olds). I can imagine that some parents won't take in this detail, and will be expecting money off their childcare bill next month.

I can imagine this will make things tricky for childcare providers, and I hope it doesn't get too difficult for them!

I think the majority of parents have more sense than this and are not expecting costs to go down that much if at all - as it is usually recouped elsewhere in other additional costs.
It can't just be childcare providers who have a reasonable amount of common sense.

CMO · 15/03/2023 14:24

DevantMaJardin · 15/03/2023 07:42

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 you are lacking in empathy for childcare providers who are financially stretched and closing arounfd the country. Childcare providers can do nothing and all contacting them will do is cause stress and damage relationships, but if it makes tou feel better, crack on.

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 14:37

For me I'm "hoping" that as twins turn 2 in February and I wasn't planning on being able to access the 30 hours until the September 2024 (so it can be used for the 3 terms until school starts) that I might be able to get the 15 hours from the April 2024 and this at least have that for 1 term

PreparationPreparationPrep · 15/03/2023 15:31

And you are lacking in empathy for childcare providers who are financially stretched and closing arounfd the country. Childcare providers can do nothing and all contacting them will do is cause stress and damage relationships, but if it makes tou feel better, crack on.

but it's not difficult they can issue a simple statement as one pp received today from their nursery. Common sense.

I am long past this stage but if I knew I was spoken to or about the way some child care providers on this this thread have spoken about parents I would swiftly remove my child from your nursery as soon as convenient. But I suspect it's not like that face to face and you are very sweet and friendly when they bring their children.

Actuallydeliver · 15/03/2023 15:39

PreparationPreparationPrep · 15/03/2023 15:31

And you are lacking in empathy for childcare providers who are financially stretched and closing arounfd the country. Childcare providers can do nothing and all contacting them will do is cause stress and damage relationships, but if it makes tou feel better, crack on.

but it's not difficult they can issue a simple statement as one pp received today from their nursery. Common sense.

I am long past this stage but if I knew I was spoken to or about the way some child care providers on this this thread have spoken about parents I would swiftly remove my child from your nursery as soon as convenient. But I suspect it's not like that face to face and you are very sweet and friendly when they bring their children.

I will quite happily tell a parent they are being unrealistic if that’s what they are being. Apart from one ‘thick’ comment that seems to be the worst thing that has been said unless I have missed a pertinent comment. Providers have also been called unrealistic 🤷🏼‍♀️.

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:46

I think both providers and parents are guilty to be Honest - parents have a tendency to think childcare (affordable) is a right (I know I'm guilty of this) and overlooking that providers incl childminders are a business not a charity. And at the same time some providers - well in my area - are well known for being a bit of a cartel because they know parents are desperate and because demand is higher than supply. Lines become blurred because it involves our children and it's nice to think that their childcare providers are doing it for the love of their child and not also because they have bills to pay. It's a very emotive subject when in many instances - like mine - where I pay my twins childminder more than twice what I pay my mortgage provider

mumwon · 15/03/2023 15:50

did I read about a change in ratios as well? Something I definitely disagree with as a way of child care establishments affording free child care hours. Regardless of the fact that it has the potential to be unsafe and a bad idea for educating and stimulating children and helping those who are behind in social and emotional development (covid the gift that keeps giving)

smellyflowers · 15/03/2023 15:51

mumwon · 15/03/2023 15:50

did I read about a change in ratios as well? Something I definitely disagree with as a way of child care establishments affording free child care hours. Regardless of the fact that it has the potential to be unsafe and a bad idea for educating and stimulating children and helping those who are behind in social and emotional development (covid the gift that keeps giving)

Yup, one extra but I think it was over 2

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:53

mumwon · 15/03/2023 15:50

did I read about a change in ratios as well? Something I definitely disagree with as a way of child care establishments affording free child care hours. Regardless of the fact that it has the potential to be unsafe and a bad idea for educating and stimulating children and helping those who are behind in social and emotional development (covid the gift that keeps giving)

Yes increased in line with Scotland? I think it's 1:5 from 2 years and older

I think that's ok to be honest - but I have 3 kids incl twins and in a formal setting then adding an extra child in feels ok

1000yellowdaisies · 15/03/2023 15:59

The vast majority of us will wait to hear comms about this from our childcare providers. Pretty sure that nurseries and childminders are capable of responding adequately to any queries that come through about this today. The people that start contacting them about this today are likely the people who are desperate for financial help and and dont really need a thread on this.

Actuallydeliver · 15/03/2023 16:00

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 15:46

I think both providers and parents are guilty to be Honest - parents have a tendency to think childcare (affordable) is a right (I know I'm guilty of this) and overlooking that providers incl childminders are a business not a charity. And at the same time some providers - well in my area - are well known for being a bit of a cartel because they know parents are desperate and because demand is higher than supply. Lines become blurred because it involves our children and it's nice to think that their childcare providers are doing it for the love of their child and not also because they have bills to pay. It's a very emotive subject when in many instances - like mine - where I pay my twins childminder more than twice what I pay my mortgage provider

I’m a provider and honestly think that childcare should be more affordable. Not through us charging less but by government funding it properly.

as you say, it is still a business at the end of the day. I need to pay my bills, I knew I would never be rolling in it by becoming a childminder however I expected enough to be able to keep a roof over my head.

government is at fault as they are with so many things. They have organised it in such a way that they look amazing for offering it whilst brushing the hard facts under the carpet. They have knowingly underfunded the sector and left providers picking up the pieces to try and supply the childcare that people rightly deserve. The providers become the bad guys as they’re strangling to try and recoup losses. Some parents, by no means not all, I’ve had say to me ‘It’s not my problem government doesn’t pay enough, it’s yours and you HAVE to give me everything free’. Like I said, it’s not all parents and so far I’ve been lucky with those I’ve had the pleasure of caring for their little ones. Most of my past and present parents have been more than happy to pay a voluntary contribution so I’m not working at a loss. That’s not to say future parents will be the same though.

smellyflowers · 15/03/2023 16:02

1000yellowdaisies · 15/03/2023 15:59

The vast majority of us will wait to hear comms about this from our childcare providers. Pretty sure that nurseries and childminders are capable of responding adequately to any queries that come through about this today. The people that start contacting them about this today are likely the people who are desperate for financial help and and dont really need a thread on this.

Good point

ImAvingOops · 15/03/2023 16:06

Can nurseries snd childminders refuse to do the free 30 hours thing?

Starflecked · 15/03/2023 16:07

BernadetteIsMySister · 15/03/2023 13:19

A Few reasons why a childminder wouldn't-

The additional contributions have to be voluntary, what do I do if a parent says no?

Current funding is based on a termly model, we are out of pocket if a child leaves part way through a term.

Funding doesn't pay for a notice period so parents can you and leave with no financial obligation

If a cm is on UC then their payments are stopped the months they are paid funding (you get lump sums to cover the term)

Just a few to think about. I personally will probably accept it but it won't go without deep thought and planning.

Show quote history

I mean you can give someone notice for any reason- if someone refuses to pay top up surely you give them notice? They'd have to pay a top up in a nursery setting anyway so they'd be a bit ridiculous to refuse to pay it, the choice would be theirs.

I get that if claiming UC this could be an issue and that the payments being termly could be problematic, but if someone refuses to pay their notice they'd refuse to pay anyway surely? How is that linked to funded hours? You pay via the portal it doesn't automatically know you're in the notice period nor is it bothered.

Fair winds to any CMs who choose not to offer the funded hours when the roll out is complete, selfishly I would have found a different setting than forgo the 30 free hours allowance let alone if this was extended.

roseheartfly · 15/03/2023 16:09

A good nursery will be proactive communicate to parents that they havent absorbed the info yet and ask them for time. Not try to shame them for asking a question.