How many parents (of nursery age children or younger) are aware that childminders offer funded pre-school sessions?

[KatyMac]

You know the 12.5 hours a week early years education that the government provides for free?

I'm doing a survey - so could people reply

Yes they are aware childminders can offer these sessions
or
No they weren't aware (before Katymac asked)

Thank you

yes, I was aware

it isn't all childminders at all - they have to be part of a group and not areas offer that - my area doesnt

No, I wasn't aware - I assumed that only nurseries were able to do this. Is it all childminders or only certain ones? What are the necessary criteria?

My CM is following EYFS and working towards her NVQ. DS is only 2 so hopefully by the time he is old enough she will have jumped through all the necessary hoops.

it's ridiculous that childminders have all these goals and objectives etc etc for their charges - part of the reason I chose a childminder was because it wasn't a nursery setting!

I had no idea that it was childminders as well as nurseries!

No, I was not aware of that

Hmm, just looked on the turgid SureStart website and it says "local area".

I don't work in the same county to which I live, and DS doesn't go to a childminder in the county where we live. So I can't use DS's free place at all.

That sucks.

I didn't know. I had wondered, and thought 'probably not', but would not have known how to find out without ringing up individual childminders, which would have felt like a waste of everyone's time. Tis one of the reasons DS is in nursery not with a CM.

yes i knew. but would still choose a nursery setting.

I didn't think a lot of people knew tbh

It's not a complicated process but it is involved - as we all have to do it all anyway it seemed a good idea - but now of course I need to advertise it

I think the ratio is better - I intend to offer 3 nursery places for each morning & afternoon alongside 6 childminded places

Who knows if it will work - hopefully the higher ratio will attract parents, I'm not sure of other advantages other than that

Does this work as an ad?

New Nursery Education
Available @WC

12.5 hours FREE* Nursery Education available @WC have some new nursery places available.

Within a small group of children, with a very high staff ratio#. Recently (Mar 09) graded OUTSTANDING by OFSTED.

*Please ring to confirm eligibility ? Government regulations apply
#1 adult to 3 children (aged 3-5)

Yes I was aware because my CM accepts EYFS and has done for a few years.

However as a parent I willingly make a donation towards trips and outings so that she is able to continue to do so otherwise she wouldn't be able to afford to IYSWIM

CMs around here generally charge £5-£6.50 per hour whereas the funded session grant is £9.60 (or possibly less!)

Oh I agree Cargirl - it won't work financially for me

I need to get all 6 spaces filled or to only provide to children who are here for a full day for it to work for me

I would add to advert

*optional additional services available such as early start & lunch club.

Around us very few pre-schools have the facilities to offer extended hours & additional services so it may well attract parents who would sometimes like to drop earlier/collect later etc.

I didn't know, but 1) I'm in Scotland. Is it the same here? and 2) at 3 I'd probably want mine to go to nursery anyway, not as a childcare option but for the social aspect.

I knew

katymac, you need to make it clear in your advert that the free bit only applies to term time only

Something like?
12.5 hours FREE* Nursery Education available @WC have some new nursery places available from April 2009.

Within a small group of children, with a very high staff ratio#. Recently (Mar 09) graded OUTSTANDING by OFSTED.

Breakfast, Lunch & Afterschool also available

Or

12.5 hours FREE Nursery Education available
WC has nursery places available from April 2009

Within a small group of children, with a very high staff ratio#. Recently (Mar 09) graded OUTSTANDING by OFSTED.

Breakfast, Lunch & Afterschool also available

I was hoping the "*Please ring to confirm eligibility ? Government regulations apply" bit would cover that?

Or

New Free
Nursery Education
Available @WC

From the term after their 3rd birthday children are eligible for 12.5 hours FREE* Nursery Education (term-time only). WC have some new nursery places available from April 2009.
*Please ring to confirm eligibility ? Government regulations apply

Within a small group of children, with a very high staff ratio. Recently (Mar 09) graded OUTSTANDING by OFSTED.

Also provide Breakfast, Lunch, Afterschool & Holiday Club (additional cost)

katymac, that gives all the info needed, some parents need it spelling out for them!

we have a parent in our nursery, child has been there for 6 months, she has just said she did not know she had to pay full fees in the holidays

I know

The first term we are eligible to claim is for 63 sessions - maximum of 2 per day & I lose money on the deal

I need the advertising to be right tbh to try & keep control of the costs

& now I need an admissions policy .....by tomorrow morning

I am starting to wonder if it's worth it

Katymac - do you offer this early years education stuff on your own or do you have to employ an assistant?

Was just wondering as you seem to be able to have a lot of children i.e. am I right in thinking you will have 3 children for each education session and also look after 6 childminded children?

Also not sure if it's been covered before as haven't read everyone's replies but can you charge more per hour or session for this early years stuff you are offering?

Seems like so much more to take on if you can't earn a higher income.

I work with other childminders in my home

Generally there are 3 of us - but there are more in total

We all work part-time (I work P/T about 50 hrs ) as most of us have health problems

We can have 9 children under 5 & a total of 12 childminded children

I don't know why I am doing it tbh - except for my existing parents it would be a welcome reduction in fees plus they are definite that whether or not I offer the nursery care they will remain with me & not go to nursery (what we offer is quite good )

But what I didn't realise is that by offering it to my current client base I am required to offer it to any one - so I am in the position that I am being approached by people only wanting 12.5 hours & I may not be able to refuse to have them

I am currently creating this admissions policy so that I can prioritise my childminded children over the children who wish to attend just 12.5 hrs

Admissions Policy

As WC is a commercial enterprise, certain priorities need to be considered when allocating grant funded nursery places. These places are allocated on a term by term basis and unless attending childminding on a full-time basis cannot be guaranteed. Places are allocated with regard to the following priorities:

? Children attending 30 hrs a week (or more) over 5 days
? Children attending 16 hrs a week over 2 days
? Children attending 20 hrs a week over 5 days
? Children starting childminding before the age of 2
? Children wanting 12.5 hrs grant funded sessions

Oh and you can't charge parent more per session but you can charge for craft supplies/snacks/wraparound care