Case Study

Your setting has noticed that the demographic of families within your area has changed, with more parents/carers asking for 30 hours funding. The setting offers funded places, but children must attend more than 30 hours per week to make this provision feasible. You have observed that the majority of enquiries come from parents/carers who are not taking up these places due to the expense and who decide to stay home with the child instead. As an Advanced practitioner, what can you do to encourage new parents/carers to attend the setting? Consider the following:

1. What provisions could you change to support the expenses of new parents/carers? For example, shorter sessions that could cost less?
2. If they are not able to afford a place at the setting, what additional activities/free groups/support, centres/information could you provide them with?
3. Could you set up partnership working with the local schools to establish contact and offer free activity events to engage with the local community?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your tutor.