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Save Money And Time On  Childcare

Share Childcare - For Cheap and Affordable Childcare

  Is The Cost Of Childcare Too High?
 
  Are You Fed Up With Looking For Flexible Childcare?
 
  Are You Using Up Your Annual Leave For  Childcare?
 
  Then Letssharecare.com is for you.
 
  Start reciprocal childcare for holiday daycare, after     

  school care, or even babysitting.
 

Click About Us if this is your first visit to our site.


SPECIAL OFFER No.1!!

Register FREE now and receive two free ebooks.

1. Parenting Skills And Tips - 25 page ebook.

2. Helping Your Child Get Ready For School - 50 page ebook


SPECIAL OFFER No.2!!

For a limited period we are offering a special promotion on subscription rates. Subscription for one child is normally £66 and £30 for additional children but if you join now you only pay £50 and £24 respectively. Saving you over 20% for two children.Register and join now!!

If you have registered but not yet subscribed, and you find a profile you are interested in but need more information before deciding to subscribe and making contact. Please email us any questions you have for your potential sharer and we'll forward them on, and of course we'll send you any replies and/or further questions.

  Dads Guide For Fathers To Be

  The NHS are to issue a "Dad Manual" for fathers to be. The guide explains
  how to look after a baby, such as nappy changing to relationship advice, and
  legal requirements on financial support. A Government spokesman said
  "Childcare is not just a role for mums, fathers need information too."
  (19.01.2010)

  Childminders Being "Forced To Quit" claim Tories

The Conservative Party are claiming that there has been a big fall in the number of registered childminders, and blaming it squarely on the introduction of the governments "nappy curriculum".

Ofsted figures show a fall of over 4000, over the past year, equivalent to 12 childminders leaving the profession per day.

The "nappy curriculum" refers to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), a detailed step by step programme of expected achievement, introduced last September. It has come under heavy criticism for being to prescriptive in its content, and bureaucratic to adminster.

Shadow Families Minister Maria Miller said " At a time when thousands of families are struggling to find affordable childcare, it is deeply worrying to learn that thousands of experienced childminders are being forced out of the profession"

However Ofsted refutes the link being made by the Tories. It acknowledges the fall in registered childminders, but claims this is due to other factors such as the credit crunch affecting the demand for childcare, and the shift in demand for other types of childcare.

They point to the fact that 65% of childminders judge EYFS as good or outstanding in helping children to learn and develop in line with the new requirements in 2008/09. (26.12.2009)


  Childcare Costs Eat Up Working Mothers Wages

A recent survey for Stylist magazine, found that 4 in 10 working mothers are  left with only 10% of their wages after childcare costs are deducted. Also the  average for mothers of children under 4 is only £67 per week. The amount  naturally increases as children get older and start school to an average of  £115 per week extra. (22.10.2009)

  

 Reciprocal Childcare Given The All Clear

Ed Balls, the Childrens secretary, has written to Ofsted to make clear that reciprocal or sharing childcare is allowable and outside the scope of  the rules on childminders.

"When parents make their own reciprocal childcare arrangements, where no payment is involved, and they retain full control and responsibility for the care their children receive. I am clear this should not be a matter of  regulation. From now on and with immediate effect I would ask that Ofsted always treat such situations as beyond the scope of the childcare arrangements that you regulate under the Childcare Act 2006. (13.10.2009)


  Reciprocal Childcare - The Facts

Please see our blog for details regarding the rules on sharing childcare, in light of the recent Ofsted intervention in the case of two policewomen sharing childcare. (30.09.2009)

  Reciprocal Childcare Petition Receives Gov't Response 

  The petition has now attracted nearly 20,000 signatures.
  Quote from the Number10 website.
 
 "The Childcare Act 2006 requires anyone providing 'childcare for reward' to
  register with Ofsted, with the aim of ensuring every child in a commercial
  childcare service is safe and well cared for. Parents would expect no less.
  However, our intention has always been that friends and families caring for
  children through informal arrangements should be exempt from having to
  register and we believed that was what always happened. In the light of
  recent case, we are talking with Ofsted about how we can make sure
  theres a shared  understanding with Ofsted, and with parents, of what the  
  law means and how it should be interpreted."
  Harriot Harman, the Minister For Women & Equality has backed the call
  for the rules to be changed. Refering to the intervention of Ofsted in the 
  case of two policewomen who shared childcare arrangements.
  "It looks like an arrangement between two mothers and I can't understand
  why there should be any need for registration at all."
  (09.10.2009)
 

End of tax relief on childcare vouchers announced.(08.10.2009)

Gordon Brown announced plans to end the tax relief on childcare vouchers at the Labour party conference last week.

The vouchers allow payment of childcare fees, before deduction of tax and N.I. contributions, thereby saving parents between 31-51% out of the first £243 of fees. The scheme will be closed to new parents in 2011, and for all users by 2015.

The money saved would be diverted into providing 40% of 2 year olds with 10 hours of free childcare a week, subject to means testing.

However the decision has upset many of the 340,000 parents who use the vouchers. So much so that a petition calling for the abandonment of these plans has attracted over 20,000 signatures, on the Downing Street website.


  New Childcare Insurance Plan Launched

An innovative new insurance plan which provides for the continuation of childcare costs, if the parents are affected by redundancy, ill health, or personal injury to parents has been launched. It provides parents with tax free benefits and the option of claiming for expenses like travel cost and baby items.

The woman behind the scheme is a Liverpool mum of two, Pat ball, who is a veteran of the insurance industry.

Mrs Ball said " With more than 30 years in the insurance industry, it feels incredibly rewarding to have developed a unique new service that I knowcan help families deal with stress of meeting childcare expenses, following a sudden change in income" (21.09.2009)


Job Cuts and Childcare

A report by the Daycare Trust warns that as unemployment rises, demand for nursery places will fall, leading to nursery closures. This will lead to a shortage of childcare places in certain areas, which could mean parents having to give up work to look after their children. The report urges the government to set up an emergency fund that councils can draw upon to provide childcare places.

see Daycare Trust for further details. (21.08.2009)

 

Pocket Money Surveys

A new survey has found that the average weekly pocket money for kids aged between 5 and 15 is £3.30.

-20% of children are allowed to spend the money on whatever they want, the most popular being sweets.

-16% of parents made their children save any part of their pocket money.

For further details see Raisingkids.co.uk (16.08.09)

 

The Credit Crunch and Childcare

With all the recent bad economic news, we're all having to think about tightening our belts. To try to make savings where we can, as well as trying to maximise our earnings- often meaning working longer hours.

With many parents now having to work, even more flexibility is required as far as childcare is concerned.

This is where Letssharecare.com makes perfect sense.

-Flexible childcare                                        

-Cheap and affordable

-Parents are CRB checked

-Not only are you a receiver of childcare, you are also a provider, therefore there is a mutually beneficial win/win relationship.

-You can share with many families, for increased flexibility

-You can amend your profile to reflect your changing circumstances and childcare needs.

-First hand feedback is available.

-Raise funds for your school.  Remember part of your subscription is paid to your childrens school- if they are registered with us.

All this for less than £2 per week for 2 children. So what are you waiting for? Register now and get sharing!