Childcare - what people are doing during this pandemic?

[RumNCoke]

The funded hourly rate varies from region to region.

For example, our hourly rate at nursery works out at 5.90 per hour (full day fee divided by total opening hours) our funded rate is £3.60.

Theres no cost to parents as they can send them for just the funded hours (term time only) but it means nursery is still running at a loss per hour.

The Government agreed to still pay the funding rates to help nurseries get through this.

Our monthly outgoings are £35,000 and wages our are biggest outgoing followed by rent, rates, insurances and fees and food. Our food bill alone is £2,000 a month.

While childcare is a killer, please don't for one minute think we are rolling in it.

1 full time child fee doesn't cover a full time member of staffs wages. The funded hours save parents money but it doesnt match the nurseries hourly rate.

I don't believe any childcare provider is "rolling in it" - my issue is paying a hefty sum for childcare nil received. It should not be on me to keep a nursery or childminder "running" when there is government help provided. My family have stopped charging rent for the pub they are leasing as they have been forced to close - I don't understand why as parents we need to keep the nurseries going or "keep a place" when our own income has been largely affected as well.

 

[EmilyChambers]

I don't believe any childcare provider is "rolling in it" - my issue is paying a hefty sum for childcare nil received. It should not be on me to keep a nursery or childminder "running" when there is government help provided. My family have stopped charging rent for the pub they are leasing as they have been forced to close - I don't understand why as parents we need to keep the nurseries going or "keep a place" when our own income has been largely affected as well.

You shouldn't be paying for a service you are not receiving. It should say in your contract what happens in the event of nursery closure so if says you are elgible for fees if they close outside of holiday times and you've signed it, then unfortunately you have to pay.

We've had parents withdraw their children because they've not agreed with something despite signing to say they agree because they don't read the contract properly.

Especially now we can be Furloughed.

But it comes across from people that nurseries are rolling in it, that we are overpaid, that we've got easy jobs, and that we are set out to rip people off.

I'm just hoping I have a job to go back to.

 

[RumNCoke]

If its any consolation to you I've never once heard anyone claim that nurseries are rolling in it and staff are overpaid - quite the opposite! The high daily fee is a killer financially (my full time childcare bill is £1200 a month for my 2 kids this is including the discount for 30hrs free). So it really stings having to pay now.

 

[Ems55]

Our nursery isn't charging any fees whilst they are closed. And our places are secure for when they re-open. Seems the only fair option really, especially when staff can be furloughed and paid by the government. I know nursery staff aren't well paid (and hats off to them because you couldn't pay me to do that job!) but if lots of other industries are using the furlough scheme to cover costs then so should they.

Friends in the same area with children in other nurseries are still being asked to pay fees. Parents shouldn't be expected to cover the costs of a service they aren't receiving when many of them are also being furloughed/losing income.