Third Sector London manifesto launched!

On Wednesday 3 March 2010 Daycare Trust, along with fourteen other children's charities in a London Child Policy Forum, launched 'United We Stand: A Voluntary and Community Sector Manifesto for London's Children and Young People'.  It sets out the changes needed to improve the future for London's children and young people.

Candidates for the 6 May 2010 local elections are being asked to sign up and support key pledges, including:

• Implementing recession-busting childcare support through:
  - fee holidays for parents struggling to pay childcare costs
  - rent freezes for childcare settings where councils are the landlord
  - creation of specialist taskforces to support parents at risk of losing their childcare place.
  
• Increasing childcare places for disabled children, older children, during schools holidays and for parents who work atypical hours - in order to close the childcare gap.
  
• Ensuring the views of parents and carers are not only listened to, but proactively sought.

  Free workshops and events

As part of this London Councils funded project, we are able to organise a number of free workshops and other events for London childcare providers, and those working with providers.  

Tuesday 9 March 2010 (morning) - ‘Disability Inclusion Awareness Training' - further information and details of how to book. 

Tuesday 25 May 2010 (1/2 day) - 'Master class in home learning', facilitated by the Family & Parenting Institute - further details to follow.

Tuesday 6 July 2010 - 'Annual London childcare providers forum - 2010' - further details to follow.

Daycare Trust also offers an ongoing general programme of training on a variety of topics.  See the list of courses, for further information and cost.

Sign up for the London ebulletin

To keep updated about the project, including information about events being held, you can sign up for the London ebulletin.  See previous versions of the London ebulletin. 

Sign up now.

Childcare providers survey - getting your views

As part of the London childcare providers network project, Daycare Trust conducted a survey regarding top issues for London childcare providers. We got a very good response and the results are available below.

• London Childcare Providers Survey 2009 - Survey questionnaire
• London Childcare Providers Survey 2009 - Summary of the results (including a breakdown by provider)
• London Childcare Providers Survey 2009 - Quantitative results
• London Childcare Providers Survey 2009 - Main narrative responses

The results will be used to: 

• shape the activities of the London childcare providers network; and
• lobby the Government and key London bodies to improve the position of childcare providers and the children with whom they work.

London childcare providers forum

On 23 June 2009 Daycare Trust held its first annual London childcare providers forum, as part of project.  The objectives were to:  

• Provide an opportunity for London childcare providers to meet and share experiences.
• Identify top issues, that can then be fed into strategic plans at all levels.
• Provide updates on key policies.
• Celebrate and develop best practice.
• Promote a sustainable pan-London childcare providers network.

 Further information about the forum.