Encouraging over 50s back to work

Over 90% of the 3000 children attending Tops Day Nurseries attend part time. Records show that grandparents and extended family often look after their children for the remaining days/hours needed while parents work, or parents work at the same time as childcare. This is largely because parents do not have the money to pay for all their childcare.

The government has recently announced its plan to encourage over 50s back to work. One option for grandparents, which coincides with the government idea, is that they could be trained in early years education and work in early years settings if they have enjoyed working with young children.

Cheryl Hadland, managing director of Tops Day Nurseries commented: “To my understanding the Treasury cannot take factors like extra income into consideration as the impact is not a specific figure, they cannot work out the extra tax income that would come in against the cost of investing in childcare. If I understood correctly, then this makes no sense to me as an entrepreneur. You have to take risks to grow. We believe more children will be able to attend early years education and childcare if the fees are dropped, and in turn parents and grandparents will be able to work or work more. There is plenty of evidence that good quality childcare prepares children for school and for life where they earn more, are happier, and achieve more.”