Wonderstuff16 Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Can I ask, do you get parents to fill out a funding form (even if the info is the same) each term or just once when they become funded? & then an amendment to hours form if the hours claimed changes? I am only getting parents to complete once their child is eligible and then use the same form each term. We are having are forms inspected soon, so want to make sure this is correct! Thank you
Fredbear Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 No it must be each term, as the terms are different in length and parents must fill in how any hours and weeks they are taking each time.
Inge Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 this will often depend on your LEA and how they ask for the forms to be completed... you may have a funding agreement that could give these details or contact your funding dept to clarify it. (our lea is every term a new form.. and also in between for new starters)
louby loo Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Our LEA requires termly forms, however for one of our bordering county's, It's a 'one-off' with changes noted.
Fredbear Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Well I never, it would make life easier if things like this were universal wouldn't it, I stand corrected.
louby loo Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 No Fredabear that's not gonna happen!!! I'm pretty sure you're in the same LA as me........ and if they do that then how will they get immense pleasure at sending out the wrong funding forms and making us reprint them!! ::1a ::1a ::1a xxxxxx 3
blondie Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 our parents complete an initial form then the following terms they complete the back of the original form only - it says term -they choose form summer,autumn or spring, number of weeks,are address and telephone number same yes/no are second provider details the same yes/no they then sign and date form.if there are changes to address or hours a change of address/hours form is completed. much easier, although you do have to stand next to parent as they complete form as cant be taken home.x
Mouseketeer Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 I hate those stupid forms and battling to get them back ( then giving them back because they didn't actually bother to sign it)as well as the total waste of paper, ink and manpower and now I know there are counties who take the sensible 'if nothing changes' approach I hate them even more :'( 1
thumperrabbit Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 I hate those stupid forms and battling to get them back ( then giving them back because they didn't actually bother to sign it)as well as the total waste of paper, ink and manpower and now I know there are counties who take the sensible 'if nothing changes' approach I hate them even more :'( 1
Stargrower Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Until last term, we had to do a new form each term. But now parents complete one, sign and date it and if nothing has changed the following term, they just sign and date again to confirm the hours. There is room for three terms worth of signatures, so if addresses and hours don't change, they only need one form for a school year. Only problem is, they sign all three boxes in the first term so we've had to write in pencil "DON'T SIGN HERE YET" on all the forms, then rub it out when the time comes. Nothing is easy!
sunnyday Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 our parents complete an initial form then the following terms they complete the back of the original form only - it says term -they choose form summer,autumn or spring, number of weeks,are address and telephone number same yes/no are second provider details the same yes/no they then sign and date form.if there are changes to address or hours a change of address/hours form is completed. much easier, although you do have to stand next to parent as they complete form as cant be taken home.x Oh I want some of those type of forms! :1b 1
Panders Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Term ly, and yes the amount of chasing up is ridiculous, 1
woodlands1997 Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Ours do termly but don't say how many weeks just how many hours they want us to claim a week. They only ever go to the county if there's an over claim too otherwise just for our records. It has space for them to put if and what they are claiming at other settings too. For the ones I know that won't bring back I fill in and get them to sign there and then! I have also been tempted to say if they don't bring it back they'll be charged full whack!!
Wonderstuff16 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Posted June 9, 2014 Right, just been on our Councils (West Sussex) and found the answer for my County under FAQ's: How often does a parent need to fill in a Parental Declaration form? The parent completes one form for each childcare childcare setting that will provide FE for the child. Additional boxes exist on the form to capture any subsequent changes to addresses, or hours claimed and the parent will be required to sign again. Thank you for all your replies, this forum is so helpful!
tish501 Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Hi,I am in Suffolk,and same as Stargrower... just this year...LEA saving money....one form is used for the 3 terms...unless any miniscule changes,then a new form. Next change is for Autumn,when we cannot send our paperwork...has to be by secure email.......not looking forward to that
fimbo Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) we currently scan and email our funding forms - was a nightmare when i first did it - and it still is a pain , just not such a painful pain ! -it was so much easier to bung them in an envelope and post them..... .but come September we will have to input all the funding info into some sort of new fandangled computer 'system' ...i just need to find a few spare hours to work out how to do it.....but of course,thats what the summer holidays are for Is anyone in Gloucestershire using this new system yet, i think its been on trial for a while ? Edited June 12, 2014 by fimbo
sunnyday Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 we currently scan and email our funding forms - was a nightmare when i first did it - and it still is a pain , just not such a painful pain ! -it was so much easier to bung them in an envelope and post them..... .but come September we will have to input all the funding info into some sort of new fandangled computer 'system' ...i just need to find a few spare hours to work out how to do it.....but of course,thats what the summer holidays are for Is anyone in Gloucestershire using this new system yet, i think its been on trial for a while ? Wishing you luck with the new system fimbo - has been like that for us 'Kenters' for quite some time now - I never fail to have some sort of drama each time I submit my claim - could just be me and my lack of IT skills :blink:
Cait Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 We have a 'portal' system which was a nightmare to learn with no county input. Just, here it is, get on with it, basically. At least when I do the handover my deputy will have some input from me!
Fredbear Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Portal system here too. We keep signed termly agreements incase of audit by LA. Edited June 12, 2014 by Fredbear 1
woodlands1997 Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Goodness we are plain old paper and posting here - drives me mad I wish we could email/ do online!
Guest Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 isn't it ridiculous how everyone has to do different things, we only have to fill out a paper form when each child get their 570 hours allocation so once for every three terms unless their hours change. Paper forms and posted at my expense which always aggrieves me as I always send it signed for to ensure it arrives. I have just heard that our funding is dropping by 7.5% next year so maybe I picked a good time to be closing and moving on
woodlands1997 Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 We do a provisional head count form then a final head count form each term with number of hours per week they are claiming - like you max we have to pay the postage but I just stick a normal stamp on! Our funding dropped to £3.01 the year before last.
tish501 Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 PLEASE check your LEA budget....if your funding is a low as £3.01....in Suffolk ours just went up last term to £3.90 for level 4/5 .....BUT at our mandatory meeting last night....they said that government had told them they had to get more of the money out to us.....they have done that -but at the expense of lots of our Early years services.....staff have been laid off,cheaper staff hired.....to make the budget balance.No more free courses...hardly any visits from our advisors.....sign of the times.
woodlands1997 Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 We haven't had free courses for ages, the last two years if you wanted access to certain courses and advice you had to pay them 2.5% of your funding!!! We didn't as I thought this was ridiculous! They've stopped that now and everything is just buy in - nothing free not even child protection training!!!! What do you mean for level 4/5?
tish501 Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Our funding rate has 4 levels depending on the highest qualifying member of staff in the setting.My manager has a childcare degree so we are paid at 3.90 hr as she is level 5. There is one level above that-- Lev 6 and EYPS staff and 2 levels below us....dont have funding paperwork at home...just the fees to do every weekend,but i will check on Monday for you.Thought all councils were the same ?
woodlands1997 Posted June 13, 2014 Posted June 13, 2014 Oh no! We just get a flat rate, we are private - charity/committee run ones get more, think theirs is £3.08!!! We have 2 EYP's so it's not like we aren't qualified :-(
tish501 Posted June 14, 2014 Posted June 14, 2014 My Nursery is private too,all settings in Suffolk are awarded their rate depending on qualifications...which i think is fair......must depend on your County.Totally unfair,which explains how some nurseries are finding hard to manage at the mo....I am rural Suffolk so our funding rate is just shy of our hourly rate....would be interesting to see how other counties are paying...seems as though some are not passing on government money to the settings...??
woodlands1997 Posted June 14, 2014 Posted June 14, 2014 Our hourly rate is £3.60 so taking funding is actually a real loss to us! I might give them an email and ask why it is such a poor rate as I know that other counties get significantly more. We have a few settings close by that are being subsidised by council as have hardly any children to make them sustainable. It is because they are all sessional and that isn't the demand round here - we are 8-6 and oversubscribed but yet they get more money thrown at them!
tish501 Posted June 14, 2014 Posted June 14, 2014 Hi, ours went up from £3.50 to our new £3.90 for this summer term.Some settings in London,kent,affluent counites are on £5+. You can always (after a bit of a search check your councils education budget to see where their money goes....can be done,but may be a bit of work ) Also charities will always get more help up against PVI settings..same in Suffolk....grants are always available to them,and help if Ofsted result is inadequate...and new Inspection after 6 months,(all new). Good luck with your search ..it is an eyeopener....
Recommended Posts