York’s out of school clubs only ones in UK to be part of 30 Hours programme

 A new study confirms that York was the only local authority in the 30 Hours childcare programme to allow eligible parents to use out of school clubs (OOSCs) to get their full entitlement.

A new study confirms that City of York Council was the only local authority in the 30 Hours childcare programme to allow eligible parents to use out of school clubs (OOSCs) to get their full entitlement.

Involving six OOCS in the programme was enabled by York’s unique partnership of childcare providers – Shared Foundation Partnerships – and has been a key factor of the authority exceeding expected parental take-up of its 30 Hours scheme by 900 places.

The council allowed parents and carers to use a combination of before, after-school and holiday childcare by the OOSCs in conjunction with other providers. This enabled them to achieve their full 30 hours entitlement from September 2016. Some parents chose to place their 3 or 4 year olds at the same OOSC as older siblings while others used them to get their full 30 hours entitlement during school holidays to make up their hours

Complementing a range of other childcare providers, Clifton Moor out of school club, FunFishers out of school club and pre school, St Paul’s out of school club, Haxby Road Primary Academy as well as KOOSH at both Park Grove and Acomb contributed to the scheme.

Early feasibility work indicated that there was enough demand for the scheme and capacity within the childcare sector for the impact of OOSCs offering funded places to have minimal or no impact.

Over a year after the trial started, this latest study shows that 30 Hours funded places at out of school club has actually increased their occupancy levels and is being monitored to ensure primary school-aged children don’t miss out on places.

The study shows too that some parents using out of school clubs have changed their working patterns indicated by them moving their 30 hours across three full days rather than across five.

As a result of this take-up, holiday clubs may choose to introduce an hourly rate charge rather than just daily or half-day session fees. To promote their place in the 30 Hours scheme, they have also increased marketing activity which has helped boost their business.

To find out more about the 30 hours childcare programme, please visit www.yor-ok.org.uk/families/Childcare/free-early-years-education-and-childcare.htm or to check eligibility go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk .

Parents who already have an eligibility code are reminded to please reconfirm their eligibility for 30 hours every three months – please submit before 31 March ahead of the summer term 2018. (more…)

York increased childcare hours project assessment published

Leaders of York’s childcare sector have today met Children and Families Minister Robert Goodwill MP.

City of York Council chaired a round tab discussion that included councillors, local authority officers and providers from both York and North Yorkshire in advance of the national roll out of the 30 hours additional hours programme in September 2017.

The meeting at the council’s West Offices discussed the early implementer programme offering eligible parents 30 hours childcare, as an independent evaluation of the programme’s trial was published by the government today.

As one of eight early implementers of the programme, City of York Council has been sharing learning with North Yorkshire County Council – one of the next four councils to launch the offer to working parents of three and four-year-olds – and eight other local authorities in preparation for the national roll out in September 2017.

The Minister expressed his appreciation and admiration of the way in which together, the council and local providers have exceeded the city’s target to provide a high quality programme with tangible benefits to parents. Private providers also spoke about the welcome support they have had from the council.

Feedback from parents included one mother who found the additional childcare hours had given her to time to start up her own business, others – including armed forces families – found it gave them valuable additional support and others felt it made working more manageable and affordable.

This summer, the Council is expecting that 1,730 children will benefit from additional hours. York is the first council to include out of school clubs in the programme to give parents additional flexibility.

900 extra York children getting 30 hours childcare places

In York, 1,930 children are taking up their entitlement to 30 hours childcare during the spring term 2017 – that’s 900 more places than City of York Council was asked to deliver by the government.

The council has now exceeded its target set by the Department for Education (DfE) of providing free, additional hours to 1,036 in York. In fact even more children were eligible than was first estimated and, thanks to the council working with local early years providers and the DfE, this demand has been met.

Since September 2016, the council has secured 100 per cent commitment from all of York’s 220 providers of early education places. These include private nurseries, playgroups, childminders, out of school clubs, schools with nurseries as well as the council-run St Paul’s Nursery School. This overwhelming support of the scheme is enabling hundreds of working parents in York to benefit from 30 hours childcare, as the early roll out programme exceeds its targets.

The 30 hours offer – which will be available for working parents of three and four-year-olds across the whole country from September – aims to save families around £5,000 per year and help them get back to work or increase their hours if they choose to.

 

Confirmation that over 5,400 parents have already been allocated  places nationally comes just one week after the government launched its Childcare Choices website: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

The site sets out details of all of the childcare support available for parents from across the government and allows them to register for email alerts that will notify them when applications for 30 hours open nationally.

Is your two-year-old eligible for free childcare?

childcareParents of toddlers in York are being urged to check out whether they’re eligible for free childcare.

From 1 September about 600 two-year-olds in York – double last year’s figure – will be eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare a week at a playgroup, day nursery or with a childminder as part of a national initiative.

Parents who earn no more than £16,190 a year and receive Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit or Income Support could be eligible for a free childcare place.

Two-year-olds who are looked after by the council or have a Child Protection Plan automatically qualify for a place. And from 1 September children with special educational needs, those who have been adopted or who have a residency/special guardianship order will also qualify for a place.

The free places are available to children who are two-years-old and whose parents fulfil the criteria. The places can be taken up the term after the child’s second birthday.

Parents can apply on line at www.yor-ok.org.uk/childcare or to find out more call the Family Information Service on 01904 554444 or text ‘free place’ to 07624 802244.

The government was criticised yesterday by some childrens nurseries for trying to increase the amount of childcare provided without allocating sufficient funding

5200 York families now entitled to tax free childcare

Tax-free childcare to be increased to £2000 per child
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A major new childcare package to help millions of parents with the cost of living and give children the best possible start in life was unveiled by Nick Clegg today.

The new tax-free childcare scheme, announced by the Liberal Democrats last year, will be increased from £1,200 to £2,000 per child and the scheme will be brought forward to Autumn 2015.

This means that working parents earning at least £50 per week, will get 20% off the cost of childcare up to a limit of £10,000 for every child under the age of 12.

Those working part-time, on maternity leave or starting their own business will also be eligible for support with their childcare costs.

More click here

Childcare in York – have your say and win £100!

 Are you a mum, dad or carer of a child or young person under 16 years old? (or 18 years old if disabled or with additional needs)

•             Do you use, or would like to use, childcare in York?

•             Are you a mum, dad or carer to be?

•             Do you have views on the quality and availability of childcare?

Then we’d like to hear from you! City of York Council wants to make sure that childcare meets families’ needs.

Your opinions are really important to us and will help us to encourage high quality childcare that is available in the right place, at the right time and at an affordable price. We will do this by working closely with childcare providers and partner organisations.

Have your say and be in with the chance of winning £100 of high street vouchers. Click here Have your say