One of the main barriers to work and equal opportunities for parents is the lack of good quality, affordable childcare. There are a number of ways in which employers, both large and small can support working parents in their search for quality childcare. The options range from:
- providing information and advice for employees
- opening nurseries and holiday playschemes
- buying places in existing local nurseries or playschemes/ out of school clubs
- setting up a childminding support network
- supporting and fostering relationships with local providers of childcare
- providing childcare allowances or vouchers
These options are not necessarily exclusive. Employers may find a combination of different forms of support is effective for their employees. These options are summarised below.
Workplace nurseries
Workplace nurseries provide daily care in a specially designed nursery staffed by professional carers. They are often located at or near the workplace. As the costs involved in setting up and running day nursery care are high, some employers enter into partnerships with existing nurseries (e.g. those run by colleges, hospitals, voluntary sector organisations) to secure a number of places for the use of their employees. Other employers have formed a co-operative to set up a shared workplace nursery. Employers may also choose to set up workplace playschemes. Workplace care is an excellent resource but employers need to be aware of the needs of employees who travel longer distances to work which is not always suitable.
Childminders
Childminders care for children in their own homes and are widely used by working parents, particularly for children under three years. The safety and suitability of the childminder's home are assessed and the local authority specifies how many places the childminder can offer.
Sometimes employers provide a childminding scheme involving maintaining a register of childminders who work locally and have offered care to employees of the company. This practice helps to regulate the quality of the service provided.
Local authority registration and inspection teams can advise on childminders or contact the Islington Children's Information Service on 020 7527 5959.
Visit the National Childminding Association site at www.NCMA.org.uk for more information.
Out-of-school clubs/holiday playschemes
These cater for school age children before, after and between school hours. Playschemes operate during school holidays. Services are often attached to schools and some offer school escort services. If the service provides for children under eight years it should be registereed by a local authority. Check withyour local authority if you have any queries or concerns.
If you wish to find or develop out-of-school care in Islington contact:
Islington Play and Youth Service on 0207 527 5641
For more information about out of school care contact the Kids' Clubs Network at www.kidsclubs.com
Childcare Allowance
Some employers provide an allowance to employees to offset against their childcare costs. Sometimes employers pay a provider directly when a partnership agreement has been secured. Childcare allowances are taxable to employees and National Insurance must be paid.
Childcare Vouchers
Childcare Vouchers are managed by Accor Services and are a flexible and efficient way of helping employees to afford childcare The vouchers are bought by an employer for a fee and given to employees who can use them to pay towards their childcare costs. Vouchers are tax free for employers and exempt from the employees' national insurance contribution.
For further information visit the ACCOR SERVICES site at www.accorservices.co.uk
More information for parents on choosing between childcare options can be found on the DayCare Trust and Kids Club Network web sites (see left menu).
Childcare