The annual survey completed by Nanny tax shows that in most of the country Nannies salaries have increased or stayed stable, including a 10% rise for live-out nannies based outside of London and the home counties. However, it appears that for the salary more is expected in return. Nannies are now working longer hours (up to 60 per week) and duties often involve housekeeping. There could be a possibility that families are making a cost saving by not employing a cleaner as this duties are taken on by the nanny..

 

The survey also highlighted that a Nanny is not just for the rich with 55% of families employing a nanny earning less than £70K, 38 per cent earning £50k or less and 18 per cent £30k or less. This is highlighting the fact that although employing  nanny is not the cheapest form of childcare it is often the most convenient for the family.

 

The clear message from the nannytax latest survey presents is that although nannies may not always be the cheapest option for families, they remain the most viable one, providing families with the most options for their lifestyle, convenience and time. Flexibility remains the key attraction and can give willing nannies a distinct advantage, not only in terms of the hours they can work, but also in the added help and value they can provide. Employers may be prepared to pay a bit more in return for taking on duties in addition to childcare.

 

 

If a nanny is prepared to offer all this, she can prove herself an invaluable asset to the contemporary family who would be reluctant to lose her support. In an age of growing demand and convenience, for many families, nannies are still a benefit worth paying for.

 

Information from Tracey Neal Nannytax

Bamboo Childcare are pleased to be working in partnership with 'Your Nursery Ltd' by providing quality childcare professionals to the nursery. Your Nursery Ltd will open its doors on 6th September 2010 and is based in Openshaw, Manchester. 

 

The nursery will be open from 7.00am - 7.00pm Monday to Friday and also offers a before and after school service and a school holiday provision.Sue Moore founder of Your Nursery Ltd writes the following about her nursery “Our service works within equality & special needs policies, treating each child with equal concern. Activities and routines are planned to enable the individual needs of the children to be met, within ‘The Early Years Register’ for the care of babies and children aged 0 – 5 years old, including The Early Years Foundation Stage.

The compulsory part of the childcare register for care of 5 – 8 year olds & the voluntary register for care of children between 8 – 18 years old.

Our team of dedicated childcare workers have been hand picked (supported by Bamboo Childcare) to give the best possible care and education for the babies and children who attend ‘Your Nursery Limited’ they are passionate about their jobs and career paths, whilst progressing on their own professional development & Qualified to exceptional levels in childcare & early years.

Children are admitted to places within availability, following discussion with parents to ensure that the service offered meets the needs of the family.”

 

For more information about the nursery or to book a place for your child, please call Sue Moore on 07763530149 or email enquiries@yournurseryltd.co.uk

Research completed by the national childcare charity daycare trust has reported that there is a significant lack of childcare available over the holiday period. Only 20% of Local Authority family information services stated that they had sufficient childcare provision and 63% said that parents had complained about the lack of service.

 

Finding childcare that fits around work commitments during the school term can be difficult enough, but the holiday season can cause a logistical nightmare for many families. To help you solve this problem Bamboo Childcare are able to provide temporary nannies over the summer holiday period. Whether you need a Nanny full time for a few weeks or just a few sessions we can help. A nanny provided by Bamboo Childcare will be fully referenced and CRB checked. 

 

For more information contact us on 08448225727

More than 3,500 childcare places were lost in the last three months of 2010, according to the latest Ofsted statistics - more than three times the figure for the previous quarter.

 

 

According to the Registered Childcare Providers and Places report (see table in attachment, right), 562 nurseries opened and 652 nurseries closed between the end of September and the end of December 2010, leading to an overall loss of 90 settings and 3,133 childcare places.

 

This was mitigated by a small rise in the number of childminders, for the first time since Ofsted started publishing data a year ago showing the number of 'active' providers and a breakdown of the numbers of those joining and leaving the sector.

 

This is positive news for childminder numbers, which have been in decline for several years.

 

There are now 173 more people registered with Ofsted as currently working in childminding.Despite the rise, there are 521 fewer childminder places. This can be explained by the fact that childminders who left the sector in the previous quarter were providing more childcare places on average (4.5) than those childminders newly registered with Ofsted (3.5).

 

Overall, this means that there are now 3,632 fewer childcare places at the 30 December than at the end of September.

 

Ofsted also released statistics on the latest round of inspections, showing that just under seven in ten childcare providers achieved good or outstanding grades. There was also more than a 50 per cent drop in the number of inadequate childcare providers over the past 12 months.

 

Article by Catherine Gaunt

 

It is positive indication that providers of inadequate childcare provision are being closed down, however the reduction in childcare places is a significant problem where there is often an under supply already. This has a significant impact on families where both parents need to work in this economic climate. This may also mean that a rise in the requirement for nannies may be seen in the near future.

Bamboo Childcare had the pleasure to attend the opening day of Glo Family in Cheadle. Glo family is an alternative children's play centre. The building is a beautifully converted church in Cheadle, when you enter a you feel a sense of calm, instead of the usual mayhem of 'soft play' centres. There is a cafe area serving freshly made food with a huge wooden pirate ship and a sensory room. The large garden is lovely with planting areas, a hammock and a large chess set.

There are a number of studio rooms for various classes for parents and children including fitness, health and wellbeing and children's activities, such as pyjama drama, Rhythm time and children’s yoga.

My two children aged 3.5years and 18months had a fun filled morning whilst I managed to sit and chat and enjoy the surroundings.

For more information visit their website http://www.glofamily.com/

' A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.’

 

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. 

 

A forest nursery is a type of preschool education for children between the ages of three and six that is held almost exclusively outdoors. Whatever the weather, children are encouraged to play, explore and learn in a forest or natural environment. The adult supervision is meant to assist rather than lead.

 

They can be described as a nursery without a ceiling or walls. The daycare staff and children spend their time outdoors, typically in a forest. A distinctive feature of forest nurseries is the emphasis on play with toys that are fashioned out of objects that can be found in nature, rather than commercial toys. Despite these differences, forest nurseries are meant to fulfill the same basic purpose as other nurseries, namely, to care for, stimulate, and educate young children.

 

Forest Schools have demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through play, have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Forest Children use full sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated.

 

***Bamboo Childcare currently have a level 3 Nursery Nursery role for a Forest School based near Guildford.  Please send your cv to enquiries@bamboochildcare if you are interested alternatively visit our website and apply online at www.bamboochildcare.co.uk***

 

(http://www.forestschools.com/what-are-forest-schools.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_kindergarten)

Below is a summary of the budget changes that relate directly to families with young children:

 

•Families earning more than £40,000 will have their tax credits reduced.

 

•Benefits, tax credits and public service pensions will increase in line with consumer prices rather than the retail price index.

 

•Child benefit will be frozen for the next three years.

•Lone parents expected to look for work when their first child goes to school.

 

•Housing benefit will be limited to a maximum of £400 per week for a four-bedroom house.

•Two year council tax freeze.

•The child element of child tax credit will rise by £150 above inflation next year.

•Sure start maternity grant will go to the first child only.

 

 

source: John Bolche family lore.

The Vetting and Barring Scheme for nine million people working with children and vulnerable adults has been halted so that a review can be carried out for a more measured approach, Home Secretary Theresa May has announced today.

 

 

Voluntary registration with the VBS for new employees and people changing jobs was due to start on 26 July. This registration has now been stopped.

The scheme will now be scaled back to more common-sense levels, the Government said, amid concerns that it was disproportionate and infringed on civil liberties.

The Home Office will be in charge of remodelling the scheme with the Department for Education and the Department of Health. Details are being finalised and will be announced shortly.

Mrs May said, ‘We’ve listened to the criticisms and will respond with a scheme that has been fundamentally remodelled. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. This redrawing of the VBS will ensure this happens.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will continue to maintain the lists of those people who are barred from working with children and adults.

Current requirements for Criminal Records Bureau checks will continue to apply. New safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 also remain current.