Childcare Information For Employers
In Poole the ongoing economic regeneration programme will provide increased employment opportunities within the Borough. That, combined with Poole having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, means employers will have an increased dependence on working parents to maintain their workforce.
The benefits to your company of investing in childcare
Poole's economy and its local employers depend on working parents. Understanding and responding to the needs of staff, whilst fitting in with business needs can demonstrate a commitment that will help to achieve major competitive advantages.
As the demand for childcare increases, employers must know their workforce, providing the following:
- A culture of support.
- Flexible working practices.
- Parents' groups within the work environment.
- Parents' information, by linking with the Children's Information Service.
- Cash allowances
- Childcare vouchers.
- Providing childcare directly e.g. purchasing places in a local provision.
Employers are required to recognise the needs of their workforce, as well as the needs of their business.The ability to maximise partnership opportunities is crucial.
Employers will achieve:
- A reduction in staff turnover, recruitment and training costs
- A wider recruitment pool
- Reduced sickness, stress levels and absenteeism through policies such as flexitime, childcare support and term-time working
- Greater loyalty and staff commitment
- Increased productivity and job satisfaction by allowing employees to focus on their work rather than family concerns
- Reputation as a family friendly employer who recognises a diverse workforce
Types of childcare initiatives you can provide for your employees
Out of school places can be provided by organisations wishing to set up new schemes and provide employees with holiday playschemes and after school care.
Childminding Networks can be set up by employers to provide staff with year round flexible childcare. An employer's main commitment is to fund a Network Co-ordinators salary, who then takes care of the network, liaises with the organisation and matches employees with childminders.
Employers can work in partnerships with childcare providers or other employers and buy into childcare services for employees. Partnerships with other local businesses could also facilitate the setting up of joint childcare provision.
Childcare allowances are a subsidy paid by the employer into the employees monthly or annual wages and the eligibility and amount is determined by the employer. This allowance is a taxable benefit to the employee and is liable to National Insurance contributions.
Childcare vouchers are offered by employers to their staff and can only be exchanged against childcare costs. Payment is taken from gross pay through the wage packet and vouchers are taxed as a benefit to employees, but are free of National Insurance Contributions, and are also a tax-free benefit for employers.
Work Life Balance Policies
- Flexible working
- Carer leave and support
- Childcare support and information
- Sabbaticals
- Flexible benefits
- Stress management/counselling
- Good Human Resources Practice (development, appraisal, training)
- Job re-design
Tax incentives for employer-supported childcare
What does this mean? From April 2005 the government changed the tax and national insurance exemptions that apply to 'employer-supported' childcare costs. The first £50 an employers spends on childcare is exempt from tax and national insurance contributions. The £50 per week exemption widens options. For example, an employer could approach a childminder or nursery with a view to providing "back-up" childcare. This help can either be in the form of approved childcare subsidised by the employer or childcare vouchers for use with approved childcarers.
Approved childcarers are those registered with Ofsted. These are:
- Day nurseries (private, community or local authority).
- Workplace nurseries.
- Childminders.
- Pre-school playgroups.
- Nursery schools.
Out of school clubs and holiday clubs
What are the next steps? If you think your employer and other staff could benefit from the introduction of a childcare voucher scheme, it is worthwhile putting your suggestion forward via your line manager, your union, an employee representative or human resources/personnel manager.
Want to know more? Daycare Trust, the national charity, has factsheets for employers and employees.
Funding For Childcare Initiatives
Peter Singleton can provide assistance on accessing national funding and consultation for childcare initiatives. Tel: 01794 341733.
Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund: provides employers with funding and free support from specialist consultants to help devise successful work-life balance strategies.
The Partnership at Work Fund: is designed to improve relationships in the workplace by supporting projects which address issues facing the organisation, implement schemes to enhance work-life balances and implement a culture change towards partnership.
Localities and Childcare Team
The Localities and Childcare Team is responsible for improving and developing childcare services in Poole for children under the age of 16 years old.
The importance of assisting employers to provide support for the childcare needs of their employees is a specific focus of the Government's National Childcare Strategy.
The Localities and Childcare team can undertake a tailored, confidential and independent employee survey to determine the current and future demand for childcare. Employers will receive an analysis of the questionnaire along with recommendations for developing initiatives.
Poole Children's Information Service provides free, accurate information and advice about finding and choosing childcare for parents and carers. This information is accessible through a confidential telephone help line and a help desk (adjacent to the children's library in the Dolphin Centre). Information and advice can also be tailored to meet the needs of individuals or specific groups of employees.
The Children's Information Service can provide a support role to employers and enable employees to make the most of local childcare services and information through:
- In-house information displays
- Tailored information packs to new and existing staff, and staff going on maternity, paternity and parental leave
- CIS information articles in employer newsletter or payslip sheets
- In-house help desk events
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