Voucher firms 'can do better'
Just under 40 per cent of childcare providers do not think that childcare voucher provider companies communicate well with them, according to findings from a consultation on industry-wide standards for childcare voucher companies, published last week.
However, vouchers were viewed as an 'extremely valuable' way of providing income for nurseries.
Sixty-one per cent of respondents were 'satisfied' or 'extremely satisfied' with the service provided by their voucher provider. The survey also found that 75 per cent of respondents supported the use of electronic payments to improve administration of vouchers.
The consultation was held to gather views from childcare organisations, nurseries, employers and parents on how to improve the way childcare voucher businesses operate. It will be used to draw up guidelines for a voluntary code of practice for companies. It will be launched in the autumn with an association to oversee it.
Speaking on behalf of the voucher companies, Simon Moore, managing director of Computershare Voucher Services (previously known as Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers), said, 'All the companies involved in this process are keen to ensure high standards are consistently applied. We have a common interest in promoting excellence, and are pleased that this consultation demonstrated that childcare providers, parents and employers value the scheme. We look forward to continuing to work on the new code.'
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said, 'Childcare vouchers are a positive benefit for families. However, there have been unintended consequences from the administration of voucher schemes.
'These findings reflect feedback from members about improving matching of payments to children. We hope the code of practice will help to iron out difficulties.'
