NO CHILD, NO CRY
Possibly the world’s first ‘dedicated crying room’ has been launched to facilitate collective weeping from parents returning to work. Part of a pay-as-you-go crèche, the blubber chamber is adjacent to a ‘co-working space’ for freelance mums and dads, and will be an escape ‘for when things get too much’, says crèche co-founder Jamie Leith. What early years practitioner couldn’t do with a place to have a bawl every now and then?
THIRST APRIL
‘The Government have finally agreed that the 30-hour policy isn’t working!’ proclaimed Champagne Nurseries on Lemonade Funding’s Facebook page on 1 April. ‘They’ve instructed the DfE to remove the word free from ALL advertising with immediate effect.’ Providers started choking on their cornflakes – until they read, ‘Any providers affected can put in a claim for a free bottle of champagne.’ If it looks too good to be true…
COUNCIL RESPONSE
Frustrated providers in Newcastle have received a fillip after complaining about the ‘stingy’ way their free entitlement payments were paid. While neighbouring council South Tyneside pays 85 per cent of funding upfront and Gateshead gives 70 per cent, settings in Newcastle were receiving only half their termly 30-hours funding upfront. A Newcastle Council spokesman said that from this month it was moving to 75 per cent upfront payments each term.
TANGLED LINES
A mother of a three-year-old was refused help applying for the 30 hours because of her job. When she phoned an HMRC helpline, she was told that she couldn’t discuss the matter with the operator because she was an HMRC employee – and employees can’t discuss each other’s personal details. Her childminder told Whispers that she was considering asking her partner to apply instead. An HMRC spokesperson said, ‘If a member of HMRC staff wants to discuss their childcare options they should call the childcare service helpline… if they want to confirm their personal details, there is a separate line.’