5 Free sessions....
by: Happygirl - 26-04-07 10:07
Sadly, small providers like us have to bear the brunt of what is basically a good idea, but not financed enough by the government.
Basically, any child who comes to your nursery who wants to do 5 x 2.5 hours per week and who does not want to do any more than that (basically equal to state nursery hours), does not have to pay a single penny to you or be obliged to take up any extra hours.
What this means is that if they want to only do 5 x 2.5 sessions per week, term time only then you have to let them. This also means that you will NOT receive any money in 1/2 term holidays, Christmas, Easter or the 6 week summer holidays.
However, as I see it, if that child is not coming in on Day 1 of the summer holidays and another child comes along who wants a full time, full fee paying place, then you can give them that place. This would mean that that place was no longer available to the term time only child. However, this could only work if all other places were taken, otherwise you would still have to accept back the term time only child.
What about offering places to those children who have started school but are still under 5 (I presume your registration is from 0-5 years). They could perhaps fill your spaces in the holidays.
It is very difficult and I think ultimately when they introcuce the 15 free hours, many providers will go out of business.