Help with the cost of living crisis

The cost of living crisis is affecting Cylchoedd Meithrin and day nurseries just like every other organisation, charity and business. Mudiad Meithrin staff are working hard to influence funders to respond to the crisis, knowing that there are no easy or simple answers.

Here are some ideas on how to respond to the cost of living crisis:

‘Here to help with the cost of living’ campaign

From time to time we all need a little help and support, and the increase in the cost of living means that more people in Wales now need help. Here are details of the ‘here to help with the cost of living’ campaign run by the Welsh Government: Here to help with the cost of living | GOV.WALES

Planning a working financial model

Every Cylch Meithrin has a Support Officer who can help them to complete a business health check and use the financial modelling spreadsheet to plan the level of fees, grant applications, fund raising campaigns, etc. Medium Meithrin’s intranet also contains various ideas.

Grant ideas

Every Cylch Meithrin and nursery uses grants as a way to buy resources or pay for new services, taking pressure off the setting’s day-to-day revenue budget. Here is the Mudiad’s most recent grant leaflet: Grants – Meithrin

Consider expanding services

Are there new services that your setting could deliver in order to generate new income? Here are some ideas: Breakfast Club, Lunch Club, After Cylch Club, Holiday Club, Cylch Ti a Fi. There are many considerations when expanding to include services of this type. Your Support Officer can advise you of your options.

Citizens Advice – Often, you will be a listening ear as parents and staff share their concerns with you. It’s possible that parents and staff will need more specialist help with their problems. Why not advise them to contact the Citizens Advice service?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/

Childcare Offer – Remember that support is available to parents paying childcare fees. The Childcare Offer Wales funds up to 30 hours care and education for the 3-year-olds of eligible parents who are working or in training. Click on the link below or contact your local authority for more information.

Childcare Offer for Wales | Help With Childcare Costs Wales | GOV.WALES

Flying Start – Flying Start funds up to 12.5 hours of childcare per week for 2-year-olds living in designated communities. The government is busy working to expand the offer to every 2-year-old child in Wales. For more information contact your Support Officer or local authority.

Tax- free credits – Remember that tax-free credits can assist working parents with the cost of childcare. They can receive assistance of up to £2000 per year towards childcare costs. For more information, go to Tax-Free Childcare.