2nd March saw over 30 Early Years Business Advisers gather together in Central London for our 2016 Childcare Business Advisers Conference. Here are some highlights from the day.
The morning opened with a presentation by Neil Blumsom, CPD Lead for Achieving for Children. As many members of the audience were representatives from Local Authorities currently investigating the possibility of moving into a more commercial Traded Service environment, we were all interested to hear from Neil about his experiences having successfully made the transition into a successful Community Interest Company (CIC). Neil was keen to stress the need to focus on developing a different relationship with settings and to change the language used – getting away from talking about ‘free’ training and instead describing it as ‘fully funded’. An opportunity was provided for members of the audience to ask questions which asked Neil to expand on issues such as the timing for this sort of transition and the impact of staff for example TUPE arrangements.
Next up we heard from Ross Midgley who runs PBD Early Years Training. Ross, who is a qualified accountant, was able to share with us some thoughts about maintaining sustainability, especially following the implementation of the 30 hours free entitlement. Some key learning points from his session included checking what is /isn’t allowed rather than believing urban myths about what you can or can’t do, and avoiding making silly mistakes in for example your invoicing procedures that clearly break the rules. He also provided a useful model to help settings to determine the extent to which they should offer places for funded children. A useful question he encouraged settings to ask themselves is whether the next funded child they take on will add to or reduce their profit.
Paul Seath, a Partner in legal firm Bates Wells & Braithwaite (BWB), was our next speaker. He covers three key aspects of employment law. Dealing with TUPE rights following the merger or take over of a setting was first. This topic was of great interest to those members of the audience who are currently working with schools who are looking at taking over existing EY provision. Paul then went on to provide insights into ways in which staff contracts can be changed without breaking the law. And finally a session reminding us of the importance of operating in line with the ACAS guidelines in respect of disciplinaries. To round off his session Paul told us about BWB’s new online service aimed at charities called Get Legal and encouraged us to access the cost effective tools and templates on the site.
A quick update from Catriona Nason, CEO of the National Early Years Trainers & Consultants Organisation (NEyTCO) then followed on from a delicious buffet lunch. Catriona highlighted the ways in which NEyTCO is working with various local authorities, providing Professional Consulting Skills training for EY advisory staff (including those who are being made redundant) and giving access to NEyTCO’s extensive database of members who offer a wide range of training and consultancy services to the sector.
The main part of the afternoon was focused on the development of partnership working to support the implementation of the 30 hours free entitlement. Our panel of experts included Adam Hindhaugh from Warrington Borough Council, Kay Tobin from Evelyn Street Primary School, Lisa Edwards from Little Treasures Day Nursery and Penny Webb from Penny’s Place Childminding. Our speakers inspired and challenged us in equal measure, setting out for us some principles of good practice for encouraging engagement by a range of stakeholders in partnership working. Key messages included the need for strategic leadership and a shared vision as well as the need to address more practical matters such as flexibility in respect of meeting times to enable various providers such as pre-schools and childminders to meet with schools. A very thought provoking session.
The day was closed with a presentation by my co-host Jeremy Webster from Silver Pebble, who updated us on the success of our Level 5 Business Support and Professional Consulting Skills programmes – with over 300 students having now completed the programmes. He went on to inform us about the launch of our Level 5 Certificate in Business Support which offers a progression opportunity to those students who have already completed the Award. Students can enrol on the programme as of now. After a quick reminder of the benefits that our students get by also being automatically enrolled as CMI members for the duration of their courses – we wished people a fond farewell and sent them away buzzing with ideas!
To find out more about how I can help your Early Years & Childcare business please give me a call.
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