Advising Parents with Childcare Needs
Childcare can be a significant barrier to parents accessing employment or training opportunities. The cost of childcare can often be prohibitive and many parents find the transition to formal childcare challenging. The provision of information on this subject is therefore imperative to the success of any other employment-focussed intervention.
Formal Childcare
Formal childcare is that which is registered and therefore inspected and approved by Ofsted. Ofsted will rate the setting as ‘outstanding’, ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’. Parents can download the full Ofsted reports for childcare settings from www.ofsted.gov.uk.
Parents may choose to use informal childcare e.g. friends, family, nannies and au pairs but they will not be eligible for any funding for the cost of this care.
Finding Suitable childcare
Information on childcare providers, their working hours and costs are held by the local Family Information Service (FIS). The FIS hold a database of all registered childcare providers including nurseries, playgroups, childminders, breakfast clubs and after school clubs. They will also have details of provision available during the school holidays.
For contact details of the local FIS, contact the local authority Early Years team or visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk.
The ‘Looking for Childcare?’ leaflet published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families also provides information on the different types of childcare available and the important things to consider when choosing a childcare provider. The leaflets can be ordered by calling 0845 60 222 60 or emailing dfes@prolog.uk.com and quoting 00332-2007BKT-EN.
Many parents struggle with the transition from caring for their children themselves, to using formal childcare. It is therefore recommended that parents visit a range of settings to establish which suits their needs best and which they and their child feel most comfortable with. Many childcare settings run taster sessions, enabling parents to try out the setting for a short period to see how their child settles in. It is recommended that parents make use of these taster sessions where possible.
Childcare Funding
A range of funding streams are available to help with the cost of childcare. Funding will depend on whether the parent is working, looking for work or studying. Information on all of these funding streams can be found at www.payingforchildcare.org.uk
In London the Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP) operates in all of the London boroughs providing affordable full day care and flexible childcare across London to enable parents on low incomes to return to, remain in, or take up full or part time employment or training. For information on how the programme operates, visit www.gle.co.uk/cap or call 0800 587 7115.
All children aged 3-4 are entitled to 12.5 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year through the Early Education Grant. This care can be provided through any registered provider and is usually spread across a full week. For information on the NEG, contact the local FIS (as above).