The Role of the Childcare Co-ordinator

All staff working at the West Suffolk Hospital have access to a childcare co-ordinator.

Objectives of a Childcare Co-ordinator:

• To provide information to all staff groups and healthcare students on the resources available to them, in order for them to make an informed choice on accessing appropriate childcare.
• To support and advise parents acting as both an advocate and advisor on childcare issues
• Locally, to work with childcare providers and planners to secure appropriate childcare services
• Strategically, to advise managers how childcare support and flexible working can be used effectively to meet targets on the NHS workforce and ultimately provide better healthcare.
• Act as a signpost for external agencies within the local community

To contact your Childcare Co-ordinator phone Ext 2918.

Busy Bees

Busy Bees is a purpose built nursery set in the woodland grounds of the West Suffolk Hospital.

The play areas are bright welcoming and fun with areas for messy activities, active play, sleeping and quiet times. The nursery is a one level building consisting of 6 play rooms with access to the outside play areas.

Toys and equipment are chosen specifically for each age and stage of development so there's always plenty to keep young minds stimulated.

Busy Bees at West Suffolk Hospital is regulated and inspected under the Children's Act by Ofsted and receives inspections and visits to ensure that our practices and procedures are in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) welfare requirements.

Other benefits of Busy Bees at West Suffolk Hospital include...

• Bright, welcoming play areas for each age group
• Secure outdoor play areas with safe, soft flooring
• Fresh, nutritious meals prepared on site every day
• Friendly staff team
• Interactive Smart Board, securely linked to the internet

Extra Activities

To compliment the fun activities they provide every day in nursery, Busy Bees also offer additional extra curricular activities that will help your child to develop further and enjoy their time at nursery even more.

Ask at nursery for more information regarding the exciting activities for children.

Nursery Manager: Ann Adcook

Childcare: for 3 months - 5 years

Opening Times: 8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday

Telephone 0844 244 4995  

Holidays Open all year round except bank holidays

www.busybees.com| or E-mail: westsuffolk@busybees.com|

Tel: 0844 244 4995

Computershare Vouchers

Childcare Vouchers are a recognised method of paying for registered childcare. They are not just for children of pre-school age; they can be used to pay for childcare for children aged up to 16 years old.

Eligible working parents are entitled to exchange up to £243* per month (£55 per week) of their gross salary for Childcare Vouchers. Childcare Vouchers can only be requested by the parent or legal guardian of the child. The exchanged proportion of the salary is exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions, allowing your employees to make savings of up to £1,196* per parent, per year on their childcare costs.

*Subject to individual circumstances. An additional higher rate tax-payer may save more

Childcare Vouchers can be used to pay for all types of registered childcare for children up to 16** years old, including day nurseries, nannies, au pairs, crèches, childminders, out of school clubs, holiday schemes, activity clubs and qualifying childcare offered by schools.

You can use Childcare Vouchers for children up to the age of 15 (until 1st September following their 15th birthday), or 16 if the child is disabled (until 1st September following their 16th birthday).

Tax credits

If you are currently receiving tax credits, you should contact HM Revenue & Customs to discuss your intention to take Childcare Vouchers.

Should you wish to take Childcare Vouchers, your entitlement to tax credits could be affected where there is a reduction in cash pay.

HM Revenue & Customs have put together a calculator to help you decide whether you would be better off receiving tax credits or, instead, taking Childcare Vouchers.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

SMP is calculated based on the average weekly cash pay you receive during the eight week period, 15 weeks prior to the date of confinement (weeks 17 to 25 of your pregnancy). As Childcare Vouchers reduce your cash pay through salary sacrifice, the amount of salary that is liable to National Insurance contributions is also reduced. Therefore any salary sacrifice during this eight week period will reduce entitlement to SMP. As a result you may wish to stop receiving Childcare Vouchers during this period.

If you fall pregnant whilst receiving Childcare Vouchers, you should contact your Childcare Co-ordinator immediately..

http://www.computersharevoucherservices.com|

Other External Links

Suffolk Families Information Service provides information, advice and assistance for families, children and young people aged 0-19 years.

It is a free, confidential and impartial service available by phone, web site, drop-in and outreach sessions.

The Suffolk Families Information Service offers:

• Information, advice, guidance and help to parents and carers looking for childcare early education and a range of other services for their children.
• Information about becoming registered with Ofsted to provide childcare to prospective childcare providers.
• Information, advice and guidance for anyone looking to work with Children childcare, play work and early education.
• Information, guidance and support to existing childcare providers:

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationandLearning/EarlyEducationandChildcare|

Tel: 0800 60 800 33 or 0845 60 800 33

Daycare Trust

The Daycare Trust is a national childcare charity and has a useful ‘Parents Information’ section providing advice on choosing and paying for childcare.

www.daycaretrust.org.uk|

HM Revenue & Customs - Tax Credits

A link to the HMRC website explaining Tax Credits and has a calculator, which will help you work out how much you could be entitled to.

www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits|

National Childminding Association

The National Childminding Association (NCM) works in partnership with the Government and the Wales Assembly Government, local authorities, Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships, Ofsted and other childcare organizations. Its aim is to ensure that every registered childminder has access to services, training, information and support to enable them to do a proper job.

www.ncma.org.uk|

Sure Start Unit

This is a Government unit working with local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, Jobcentre Plus, local communities and voluntary and private sector organisations. It aims to provide early education, quality child care and after school activities for three and four years olds in every area. It also provides family support in disadvantaged areas where they are most needed.

www.surestart.gov.uk|

Ofsted

Ofsted provides information on registration and inspection of childcare.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/About-us/Parents-and-carers|

Department for Children, Schools & Families

Replaces the old DFES website. There is lots of information about education on the site including a useful link into a parent's and carer's section.

Working Families

This website defines two of the most important parts of life: family and employment.By working with parents and carers and organisations alike,

Working Families helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. It aims to do this by providing information, pragmatic advice and practical solutions.

www.workingfamilies.org.uk|

Disclaimer

The West Suffolk NHS Trust is not responsible for the contents or reliability of the linked web sites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Listing should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.