How many children aged under three should childminders and nursery staff be allowed to look after at the same time?
A relaxation in the number of pre-school children that nurseries and registered childminders can oversee has been announced in order to professionalise the pre-school workforce and cut the cost of childcare in England.
Involving parents and volunteers from the wider community within a childcare setting can have huge benefits for the volunteers, for the setting and for the children. Volunteers can bring in new skills, widen the range of activities on offer, provide expertise in business development, fundraising or marketing and can enhance the links that you have with families and the wider community.
These pages will take childcare and early years providers through different approaches to involving parents and developing more structured volunteer programmes. We have included case studies as examples of good practice and suggestions of resources to use, with examples and links to further resources.*
The information is based off recommendations and research from Daycare Trust’s report, Better Serving our Children. This report forms the basis of a national action plan to increase sustainable volunteering opportunities in the early years and childcare sector.
These resources will continue to grow as we learn more about how childcare settings are using volunteers. Let us know what you are up to and how you are working with parents, grandparents and other volunteers in your setting.
If you are a parent or other community member interested in volunteering in childcare, you can read more about volunteering here, or contact your local Volunteer Centre to find opportunities in your area.
Read about how childcare settings in local areas are involving parents and other volunteers
Read tips for good communication, find out how to involve parents in management and governance as well as tips for reaching out to fathers and grandparents
Find information about advertising one-off volunteer opportunities and legal information about CRB checks for volunteers who work with children
Read tips and download resources about getting volunteer support on fundraising, business development, marketing or your website
Find resources to help you recruit and manage regular volunteers in your setting
Information for clusters of nurseries, children’s centres and local authorities about running a volunteer programme, including information about work-focused volunteer programmes
Find links to general volunteer resources and information for parents interested in setting up and running their own early years or childcare service
*Some of the information is provided by other organisations. Through providing such information, Daycare Trust is not endorsing or agreeing with the content. Information is purely provided for general interest and promotion of others' work and services.
The new name for Daycare Trust and the Family and Parenting Institute.
Report reveals childcare is the luxury that families have to afford as figures show that nursery, childminder and after-school club costs are all rising at more than double the rate of inflation.
The two charities merged on 1 January 2013 and the new charity will be launched in April 2013.
A review of Daycare Trust's achievements in 2012
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