finleysmaid Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Can any of you tell me how you are managing your 30 hour spaces (if you offer them)...we are struggling a bit as we don't hold spaces but are now being forced in to this because people are booking 3 unfunded sessions to start then wanting to up to 10 funded sessions when their 30 hours kicks in....esentially we are then holding those 7 session for a term...or even 2 terms Anyone got any wise words (other than don't do 30 hours!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 It's a nightmare isn't it - we haven't found an easy solution We ask parents to 'indicate' a term in advance what they are likely to want when they get their funding and then try and work the ratios with toddler group staff to move up to the preschool room when the time comes (so I can effectively 'hold' 4 spaces without a cost loss as the ratio will go with that member of staff from 4 to 8). If I also fill the toddler room spaces (when those '4' move up to preschool) I'll appoint another member of staff because the cost is offset (4 children = 1 member of staff). We have a sessions booking sheet that looks to the end of the year and we work hard to keep on top of it all. We used to find that our babies started 'full' and 'tailed off over the year and the preschool went the other way, toddlers stayed pretty consistent all year round. We're now finding that babies and toddlers are almost full from January and Preschool is full from Easter - we're constantly juggling. It helped to have staff that worked across two groups babies>toddlers or toddlers>preschool as we were able to switch them about without affecting the quality of the care and it really helped with transitions too. Oh, and apprentices as emergency 'hands' too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted November 26, 2019 Author Share Posted November 26, 2019 8 hours ago, Rebecca said: It's a nightmare isn't it - we haven't found an easy solution We ask parents to 'indicate' a term in advance what they are likely to want when they get their funding and then try and work the ratios with toddler group staff to move up to the preschool room when the time comes (so I can effectively 'hold' 4 spaces without a cost loss as the ratio will go with that member of staff from 4 to 8). If I also fill the toddler room spaces (when those '4' move up to preschool) I'll appoint another member of staff because the cost is offset (4 children = 1 member of staff). We have a sessions booking sheet that looks to the end of the year and we work hard to keep on top of it all. We used to find that our babies started 'full' and 'tailed off over the year and the preschool went the other way, toddlers stayed pretty consistent all year round. We're now finding that babies and toddlers are almost full from January and Preschool is full from Easter - we're constantly juggling. It helped to have staff that worked across two groups babies>toddlers or toddlers>preschool as we were able to switch them about without affecting the quality of the care and it really helped with transitions too. Oh, and apprentices as emergency 'hands' too! unfortunately i can't be that flexible...but thank you for the tought!!! we are a one room 30 max per session setting with currently 4 staff on the floor (used to have 5 but can no longer afford it) ...do you think the government have ANY idea how much of an issue this is for settings??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted November 27, 2019 Share Posted November 27, 2019 15 hours ago, finleysmaid said: unfortunately i can't be that flexible...but thank you for the tought!!! we are a one room 30 max per session setting with currently 4 staff on the floor (used to have 5 but can no longer afford it) ...do you think the government have ANY idea how much of an issue this is for settings??? Nope - absolutely no idea at all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.