Employers Childcare Network is a newly formed non profit making company, limited by guarantee which serves as an employerís childcare cooperative. It announced on 18th February 2004 that it intends to open a network of purpose built, high quality childcare centres throughout the UK. The Employers Childcare Network will solve all employersí childcare problems. The new childcare centres will incorporate any of the following modules and will be scaleable in size from 50 places with no upper limit:
Day Nurseries (including 24 hour care if required)
Before / After School Clubs
Holiday Schemes
Emergency Childcare
Nanny / Au Pair Agency
Each childcare centre will be part of a national network of employer sponsored childcare centres, which will be available to all employers from both Public and Private Sectors regardless of size. Employers can have an exclusive childcare centre or ones shared with a few or many other employers. They can be located anywhere in the United Kingdom on a place by place basis.
The Employers Childcare Network enables employers and their employees to benefit from the maximum permitted Tax and National Insurance relief on the provision of childcare. This means that employees can save up to 50% of the cost of childcare. Someone earning 25K could expect to receive an increase of take home pay after childcare costs of over 20%. All this is possible at no net cost to employers. The Employers Childcare Network provides its centres through its partners, which include Corporate Childcare Ltd, a subsidiary of ASAP International Group Plc, Montessori World Ltd and Network Property Investments. They will invest 1 million or more in each centre. The cost of each place will vary according to individual circumstances at each childcare centre, but will equate to actual cost 15% profit margin for commercial providers. This ensures sustainability. Employers need not pay one penny for the development; all they need to do is to commit to the scheme. Employees typically pay for childcare on a usage basis via salary sacrifice taking maximum advantage of the tax and national insurance relief available. This means that employers can typically expect a zero net cost solution.
According to Unison, the public sector workers union ìchildcare is the biggest issue facing working parentsî. ìWhilst cost is a major issue with day care costing 6,000 - 12,000 per annum, quality and availability are equally important. We are looking to address all these issuesî says Employers Childcare Networkís Founder, Jonathan Blain.
Childcare Centres are not just good for employees. Most employers can expect to see considerable economic benefits with increased profits / reduced costs through productivity improvements, reduced staff turnover and a more motivated workforce. Corporate Social Responsibility is seen by many employers as important. Childcare also impacts health and safety where employers are being held responsible for stress caused to employees. Childcare is a major cause of stress.
The Employers Childcare Network will only open a childcare centre if there is sufficient employer / employee demand. Since the Employers Childcare Network Scheme involves no capital expenditure by employers and is low risk and easy to implement, the only reasons employers should not be interested is if they have no employees with dependant children. Most employees, with children needing care, would be angry if they knew their employers could increase average take home pay after childcare costs by over 20% at no net cost to the employer and chose not to.
The new childcare centres could be opened within 1 year if there is sufficient demand and employers are prepared to commit to the scheme. As soon as there is a demand for 50 places or more at any one location, the Employers Childcare Network will build the childcare centre.
The Employers Childcare Network would like to hear from all employers and employees interested in participating in the scheme. Interest can only be registered on the following web site:
www.employerschildcarenetwork.com/ecn/demand.aspx
Employers with an interest in joining the Employers Childcare Network and seeing the comprehensive list of childcare services available can visit:
http://www.employerschildcarenetwork.com/ecn/joining.aspx
The Employers Childcare Network would also like to hear from owners of land that would be suitable for the new childcare centres. Anyone with knowledge of suitable land should visit:
www.employerschildcarenetwork.com/ecn/land.aspx
The Employers Childcare Network offers the following services:
Childcare and Eldercare Needs Investigation
Childcare and Eldercare Business Case
Employers Childcare and Eldercare Best Practice and Benchmarking
Childcare and Eldercare Planning
Inland Revenue Qualifying Exclusive Workplace Nursery
Inland Revenue Qualifying Share Workplace Nursery
Lowest Cost Childcare Vouchers
Before / After School Clubs
Holiday Schemes
Emergency Childcare
Employee Information and Advice
Nanny / Au Pair Services
Eldercare Day Centres
Childcare and Eldercare Seminars
’Employers Childcare Network’ Announces<br>Solution to Childcare Problems
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