Comments for The Parenta Group http://www.parenta.com Innovative childcare management and training solutions Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:27:24 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on Almost half of working parents ‘completely unaware’ of childcare vouchers by The Chairman http://www.parenta.com/2011/10/07/parents-unaware-childcare-vouchers/#comment-44961 The Chairman Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:27:24 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=5269#comment-44961 Why has the £243.00 amount not seen any increase over the last 10 years ? Parents no longer receive the value they once did. Why has the £243.00 amount not seen any increase over the last 10 years ? Parents no longer receive the value they once did.

]]> Comment on What makes an award-winning nursery manager? Part 1 by What makes an award-winning nursery manager? Part 2 | The Parenta Group http://www.parenta.com/2012/01/05/award-winning-nursery-manager-part-1/#comment-44436 What makes an award-winning nursery manager? Part 2 | The Parenta Group Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:43:07 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=5511#comment-44436 [...] Company News « What makes an award-winning nursery manager? Part 1 [...] [...] Company News « What makes an award-winning nursery manager? Part 1 [...]

]]> Comment on What makes an award-winning nursery manager? Part 1 by L Brown http://www.parenta.com/2012/01/05/award-winning-nursery-manager-part-1/#comment-43923 L Brown Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:09:27 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=5511#comment-43923 We are about to open a new nursery in the south in a village setting, what would you say is the most important thing for the manager to consider or do ? We are about to open a new nursery in the south in a village setting, what would you say is the most important thing for the manager to consider or do ?

]]> Comment on Have you been fairly marked by Ofsted? by Jack Luxford http://www.parenta.com/2011/09/19/fairly-treated-ofsted-inspection/#comment-43428 Jack Luxford Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:30:46 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=5175#comment-43428 We had a surprise inspection on Christmas party day. We were closed and in the process of the Christmas party, complete with Santa, tons of food, party games and carols. The inspector was informed that we were closed and that a party was in progress but she said 'I'm here now so I'll have to carry on'. We (the committee) had removed the policies for reviewing over the Christmas holiday, along with other paperwork, there was an old lot of policies which she decided to look through. To cut a long story short, she ripped us to shreds and we only just scraped through with a 'satisfactory'. We were pulled up on not providing healthy food for snacks.. on a party that parents had provided food for. No multi cultural resources.. these were all packed away to make room for the party. The annual risk assessment was in the Health & Safety folder that had been removed for updating, that cost us dearly. Apparently we don't engage with parents.. despite there being 18 parents of 23 families there at that time and involving them in all activities on a regular basis. My Playleader was asked if one of the parents who was helping with the laying of the tables etc, 'has she been CRB'd?'.. Of course not, it was a private party and NOT a Pre-School day. Our report was rubbish to look at, every single thing was a grade three - absolutely appalling. I have written a strongly worded complaint, to which I am still waiting for a response from the agency that carried out the inspection and I am in the process of appealing to OFSTED about their decisions. OFSTED strike fear into most groups I know but I for one am not going to allow my pre-school and staff to be treated in this manner.. We had a surprise inspection on Christmas party day. We were closed and in the process of the Christmas party, complete with Santa, tons of food, party games and carols.
The inspector was informed that we were closed and that a party was in progress but she said ‘I’m here now so I’ll have to carry on’. We (the committee) had removed the policies for reviewing over the Christmas holiday, along with other paperwork, there was an old lot of policies which she decided to look through. To cut a long story short, she ripped us to shreds and we only just scraped through with a ‘satisfactory’.
We were pulled up on not providing healthy food for snacks.. on a party that parents had provided food for. No multi cultural resources.. these were all packed away to make room for the party. The annual risk assessment was in the Health & Safety folder that had been removed for updating, that cost us dearly. Apparently we don’t engage with parents.. despite there being 18 parents of 23 families there at that time and involving them in all activities on a regular basis. My Playleader was asked if one of the parents who was helping with the laying of the tables etc, ‘has she been CRB’d?’.. Of course not, it was a private party and NOT a Pre-School day.
Our report was rubbish to look at, every single thing was a grade three – absolutely appalling.
I have written a strongly worded complaint, to which I am still waiting for a response from the agency that carried out the inspection and I am in the process of appealing to OFSTED about their decisions.
OFSTED strike fear into most groups I know but I for one am not going to allow my pre-school and staff to be treated in this manner..

]]> Comment on Early years development measures to be scaled back by John Scott http://www.parenta.com/2011/03/30/efys-clare-tickell-review/#comment-38807 John Scott Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:18:41 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=3530#comment-38807 It is all a pointless bureaucracy. Its purpose is to employ an army of inspectors, not the welfare of children. Nurseries and childminders know how to look after children, and the emphasis in pre-school should be play and socialising. How will a warehouse of documents achieve a better outcome? It is utterly insidious state interference that is not compatible with free people in a free society. We have been so blinded by state interference in every aspect of existence, and have lost the ability to think for ourselves and realise it is simply not necessary. Like I said, it employs people, at the expense of taxpayers. It is all a pointless bureaucracy. Its purpose is to employ an army of inspectors, not the welfare of children. Nurseries and childminders know how to look after children, and the emphasis in pre-school should be play and socialising. How will a warehouse of documents achieve a better outcome? It is utterly insidious state interference that is not compatible with free people in a free society. We have been so blinded by state interference in every aspect of existence, and have lost the ability to think for ourselves and realise it is simply not necessary. Like I said, it employs people, at the expense of taxpayers.

]]> Comment on Early Years: The cost of extending free childcare by Lorraine http://www.parenta.com/2010/09/02/early-years-cost-extending-free-childcare/#comment-38079 Lorraine Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:12:36 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=1237#comment-38079 Isnt this country in enough debt from handouts ! Children need time with their parents its a steep learning curve but if we take that away from them how will they learn. In financially challenging times with increased costs across the board and smaller increases in fees as parents salaries have been frozen, is this the right time for handouts. What incentive have they to go and train and work if they loose beneifits and have to pay for the childcare ? Just doesnt make sense and I agree when all private providers are gone will the childrens centres still have bottomless pits of money to keep them going ? They do not run like a normal business and FEG should not be structured around how Childrens Centres work... Isnt this country in enough debt from handouts ! Children need time with their parents its a steep learning curve but if we take that away from them how will they learn. In financially challenging times with increased costs across the board and smaller increases in fees as parents salaries have been frozen, is this the right time for handouts. What incentive have they to go and train and work if they loose beneifits and have to pay for the childcare ? Just doesnt make sense and I agree when all private providers are gone will the childrens centres still have bottomless pits of money to keep them going ? They do not run like a normal business and FEG should not be structured around how Childrens Centres work…

]]> Comment on Opening a nursery. Would you do it again? by Rebecca http://www.parenta.com/2010/10/15/opening-nursery/#comment-37241 Rebecca Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:47:55 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=1503#comment-37241 Most people start their own business because they want to earn money, if you enjoy the job as well that is priceless. There is certainly money to be made in opening a nursery or childcare business, you can find plenty of examples of people successfully setting up their own chains having million pound turnovers in a few years. There are plenty of other opportunities around childcare that you can earn a decent living from without having to commit yourself to to starting a new nursery from scratch. If you want a few free tips try www.howtostartanursery.co.uk/nurseryfreetips it gives you an idea of some of the things you might want to consider before setting out. Good luck. Most people start their own business because they want to earn money, if you enjoy the job as well that is priceless. There is certainly money to be made in opening a nursery or childcare business, you can find plenty of examples of people successfully setting up their own chains having million pound turnovers in a few years.

There are plenty of other opportunities around childcare that you can earn a decent living from without having to commit yourself to to starting a new nursery from scratch. If you want a few free tips try http://www.howtostartanursery.co.uk/nurseryfreetips it gives you an idea of some of the things you might want to consider before setting out.

Good luck.

]]> Comment on Can running a nursery be financially rewarding? by Rebecca http://www.parenta.com/2011/09/05/running-a-nursery-financially-rewarding/#comment-36074 Rebecca Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:08:20 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=5161#comment-36074 Don't assume you have to commit a significant amount of money, you can start by setting up a small home based affair first to test the water then look to expand. You can save weeks of research by using a guide found at www.howtostartanursery.co.uk. Research is the most important task you will need to undertake when looking at whether this is a realistic business opportunity, there are many other opportunities around childcare not just setting up a nursery for example after school care or a transportation service- You just need to know what is the greatest need in your area. Don’t assume you have to commit a significant amount of money, you can start by setting up a small home based affair first to test the water then look to expand. You can save weeks of research by using a guide found at http://www.howtostartanursery.co.uk. Research is the most important task you will need to undertake when looking at whether this is a realistic business opportunity, there are many other opportunities around childcare not just setting up a nursery for example after school care or a transportation service- You just need to know what is the greatest need in your area.

]]> Comment on Early years development measures to be scaled back by Toni Benrahal http://www.parenta.com/2011/03/30/efys-clare-tickell-review/#comment-33477 Toni Benrahal Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:29:29 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=3530#comment-33477 The review is needed. by reading your comments Rebbecca, It is obvious that as an early years educator you have no understanding of how small children develop, for if you did, you would know that they learn best through unstructured freeplay that is supported and facilitated by adults that truly understand them and their needs. Your job is to help parents understand their children and to value the precious early years Your sheer lack of knowledge and or ignorance to these facts coupled with your desire to turn nurseries in to training grounds for formal education is proof enough that the tickell review needs to assess current work force training and qualification needs. Maria Montessori, Owen et al would be turning in their graves. You need training, for the sake of the children, go and get it. . The review is needed. by reading your comments Rebbecca, It is obvious that as an early years educator you have no understanding of how small children develop, for if you did, you would know that they learn best through unstructured freeplay that is supported and facilitated by adults that truly understand them and their needs. Your job is to help parents understand their children and to value the precious early years Your sheer lack of knowledge and or ignorance to these facts coupled with your desire to turn nurseries in to training grounds for formal education is proof enough that the tickell review needs to assess current work force training and qualification needs. Maria Montessori, Owen et al would be turning in their graves. You need training, for the sake of the children, go and get it. .

]]> Comment on Parents ‘should follow five-step approach’ by Ria http://www.parenta.com/2011/08/08/parents-should-follow-five-step-approach/#comment-30502 Ria Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:15:31 +0000 http://www.parenta.com/?p=5095#comment-30502 I think this is an excellent idea information is powerful I would like to share these idea's with the parents I work with. Not everybody who has children knows this sort of input makes such a difference to later life. I work in a very busy setting in a deprived area and this sort of initiative would be so helpful to many of our community. As an early language leading practitioner I feel reading is vital for educational purposes but also so wonderful as a bonding tool with parents and children. I remember my father read to me every night and I love reading now. I thrived once at school and I still cherish those magical memories. I think this is an excellent idea information is powerful I would like to share these idea’s with the parents I work with. Not everybody who has children knows this sort of input makes such a difference to later life. I work in a very busy setting in a deprived area and this sort of initiative would be so helpful to many of our community.
As an early language leading practitioner I feel reading is vital for educational purposes but also so wonderful as a bonding tool with parents and children. I remember my father read to me every night and I love reading now. I thrived once at school and I still cherish those magical memories.

]]>