Child Care

We at Border Busters aim to break down the childcare barrier and make it easier for parents to get back into the workplace!

All schools in the Cluster can provide or signpost to childcare which runs between 8am and 6pm daily (including school holidays). Some clubs may be open for longer hours.

The clubs or minders may be on or offsite but are always Ofsted registered and therefore provide childcare that meets national standards.

Finding a Childcare Provider

Simply ask your school for information about its recommended providers.

If you would like to research your own childcare provider, please follow the link provided to the Childcare Information Bureau.

www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Or you could consider Emergency Childcare to book local nursery and childminder places or an emergency nanny on a flexible, ad hoc or daily basis.

www.emergencychildcare.co.uk

How do I make sure my child is receiving quality care?

We understand that entrusting a stranger with your child can be a difficult step at first, it may be a good idea to do some research to ease your worries.

Find out if your provider is Ofsted registered. All childminders and day-care providers (including Playgroups, Pre-schools, Private Nurseries, Creches and Out-of-School Clubs for under eights) must be registered by Ofsted Early Years.

To read the inspection reports for providers in the local area, simply click on the link below and enter your postcode.

www.ofsted.gov.uk

You can check a provider is registered by asking to see their certificate of registration. If you have any queries or doubts about a provider, call the local Childcare Information Bureau on 0121 303 3521.

Providers with Investors in Children Quality Assurance schemes accreditation have committed to provide childcare of a high standard. Ask local providers if they’re involved in any programmes to attain this accreditation.

Finally, it's crucial you visit providers yourself – ask plenty of questions!

What are the different kinds of childcare options available?

Your options include:

Nannies: providing childcare in your home and can care for children of all ages.
Home Childcarers: registered childminders who work in your home.
Childminders: usually care for under 12s in their own home – childminders can often collect children from nearby schools.
Out-of-School Clubs: usually linked with local schools, offering care for 4-12 year olds in a safe and stimulating environment.
Pre-Schools or Playgroups: provide play and early education to under fives.
Toddler Groups/Stay and Play: not childcare in the classic sense of the word but a chance for parents to meet regularly with their children in a local school or community venue (under 5s).
Day Nurseries: provide care for children from birth to four or five years. Nurseries often integrate play with early education.
Crèches: provide occasional childcare for the under eights.

What benefits and support are available to me?

LOTS! From tax credits to flexible working arrangements, see our quick guide below.

Early Years Education:
All three and four year olds are entitled to up to five 2½ hour daily sessions, weekly for three terms each year with a 'registered provider' (eg. schools, nurseries, playgroups). This can also include registered childminders (if part of an approved network).

Child Tax Credits:
Means-tested allowance for parents and carers of children and youngsters who are in full-time education. Nine out of ten families with children qualify! Follow the link to find out whether you can claim.

Child Tax Credit

Working Tax Credits:
Working more than 16 hours a week and on a low income? You may be able to get this tax relief also. This Credit includes a specific element to support the cost of registered childcare – it can cover up to 80% of your eligible childcare costs! Follow the link below to find out more.

Working Tax Credit

Time Off or 'Parental Leave':
Working parents may take up to 13 weeks parental leave for each child until the fifth birthday (more if you have a child with a disability). This leave may be paid or unpaid depending on your employment package.

Flexible Working:
You have the right to ask your employer for flexible working to help you care for your child if you have a child under six or a disabled child under 18. Your employer must seriously consider your request.

To be eligible, you must:

Have worked for your employer for a least 26 weeks.
Be the child's mother, father, adopter, legal guardian or foster-carer; or be the partner of one of these.
Have the responsibility for the child's upbringing.
Be making the application in order to enable you to care for the child.

Child Maintenance Bonus and Premium:
If you receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseekers Allowance and are receiving maintenance for a child or children, you may be eligible for the Child Maintenance Bonus. This bonus builds at £5 per week to a maximum of £1000 and is paid in a one-off lump sum when you find work, or when working hours increase to a level where you no longer receive Income Support (IS) or Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA-IB).

This is not available under the new child support scheme introduced for new cases from 3 March 2003 – instead, anyone who cares for a child and who is getting IS or JSA-IB will keep up to £10 a week of any maintenance paid for their children. This is known as the Child Maintenance Premium.