CEY1111

Written evidence submitted by Ridgeway Methodist Children's Care Centre

Childcare Entitlements

The Childcare system is not easy for parents to understand.  It is not clear to them exactly when their child is eligible for funding – ie the term AFTER their 2nd/3rd Birthday.

The system for applying for extended 30 hour entitlement is not well explained with parents frequently missing deadlines for applying and not realising that they need to re-apply each term.

The two benefits of extended hours and tax-free childcare are often muddled up as they both need to be applied for in the same portal.

In addition tax-free childcare is not well advertised as it was when employers were able to offer childcare vouchers as a perk.  Employers would make much of this to advertise the perk to their employees whereas the government has no such incentive.

Early Years Provision

It is extremely important to children’s development that they attend Preschool prior to full time education:- Preschool prepares them for routine, socialising with and considering others, toileting and eating, and independence.

SEND

It is becoming increasingly difficult to support children with additional needs due to the lack of funding from local government to support these children on a 1:1 basis.  For instance in our setting we have 2 children with severe complex needs who each need a minimum of 1:1 ratio.  Local early years providers will now only consider 25% of the time they are here.  Eg if they come for 15 hours only 3.75 hours finance will be given to provide 1:1 support, the rest has to absorbed by the setting.  This is unsustainable as we also have children with speech and language delay, behavioural issues and development delay.  This situation has been underfunded for a number of years.  Over the last 3 years we have had 2 severe complex needs children every year.  We are only a small charity Preschool and this high level of need and resourcing the support for these children is proving more and more difficult.  We know a number of settings locally are already refusing to accept such children.

January 2023