Devon school trust set to double childcare costs after Christmas

A Devon school trust has caused widespread anger and financial anguish after informing parents it would be significantly increasing its breakfast and after school club rates and 'unrealistically' require them to be paid and booked in advance per half term. Parents were emailed about the new payment system being introduced by Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust this Tuesday, November 19.

It resulted in a huge backlash due to parents facing hefty bills payable just after Christmas with childcare costs doubling. The changes to the trust's Wrap Around Care Provision were said to be effective from January 1. However, due to significant concerns raised, the trust has confirmed to DevonLive today, November 21, that it is now reviewing its decision.

The changes are said to be necessary due to 'ongoing budgetary pressures' and 'rising costs', but parents argue the hikes are too vast and are unaffordable to families who are already struggling financially. The letter sent to parents this week informed that its breakfast clubs hourly rate would increase from £2 to £4. After school clubs, which run from 3.30pm to 6pm, would increase to a flat rate of £12.50 regardless how long a child stays there for.

The current fee is £5ph, which can be broken down into half hour slots with a minimum charge of £5 such as £7.50 from 3.30pm until 5pm. The new system would only permit bookings to be made before the new term begins.

Pre-booking for the breakfast club is currently not essential but is said to be 'preferred'. Bookings for the after school club can be made on the school's online School Gateway system.

The trust, created in 2018, has 14 primary schools, an all-through school and three secondary schools.

In the letter to parents, Phil Whittley, lead principle primary at Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said: "Following a review of our Wrap Around Care provision, I am writing to inform you that due to increased staffing and consumable costs, we will be adjusting our fees to reflect these changes."

He continued: "Sessions must be booked on a half-termly basis and payment must be made prior to the start of term. Please note that if payment is not received, we will be unable to accommodate your child in the sessions."

An online petition opposing the changes has been launched online by mum-of-two Lauren Tingle who has a four year old daughter in reception at Okehampton Primary School and eight year old son in Year 3. The petition has already been signed by around 190 people.

She said: "I started the petition after the trust emailed parents to inform them of a ridiculous and unaffordable price increase of wrap around care and a new booking system which means parents now have to pay six to seven weeks in advance.

"My costs will be going up by £220 a month and I have to find £990 by January 6, otherwise else I have no childcare for my children for the half term. Myself and other parents are concerned over how much they raised it by.

"It's a lot of money to magic out thin air when families are already struggling to make ends meet. We understand if a price increase is needed, but this is extortionate.

"Also, the new booking system just isn't realistic. We can usually book as when we need and pay straight away but now we have to find a way of paying six to seven weeks in advance. People don't have the money for that, and some people don't know their schedules."

Mum-of-three Jessica Parker has two children, aged nine and seven, who attend Okehampton Primary School. The 30-year-old works as a higher level teaching assistant at a Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) school in Winkleigh, and says under the changes she will have to pay £840 per half term for childcare which is more than double the cost she currently pays.

Jessica said: "My children have attended Okehampton Primary School for the last seven years. If parents need to urgently book their children into a club unexpecting, parents are able to do this.

"The changes will force parents to leave their jobs due to the demand of payments and the unrealistic demands they are putting in place. The price change will mean I will either have to cut my hours at work leaving me with a lower pay at the end of each month, or change my job.

"The breakfast club price increase means that for my two children, it will go from being £20 per week to £40 per week. The after school TOPS will be charged at a standard rate of £12.50 regardless how long your child is there for.

"At present I am paying £7.50 for my children to stay from 3.30pm until 5pm. This will go from £350 each half term to £600 from January.

"All together, for both wrap around care, I am currently paying £480 per half term. This will increase to a ridiculous £840 which is over double the price. This is all without adding on the costs for their school meals which works out over £1,000 per month."

The trust has said it will now review the changes it had been due to implement and will update families next week.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "To ensure we are providing the very best educational and care experience for our pupils, we have been undertaking a full review of our wraparound care provision, including costs, which we have avoided increasing for as long as possible. However, due to the ongoing budgetary pressures facing schools and rising costs, it is now necessary to re-evaluate our fee level to ensure the continued viability of our wraparound provision.

"We very much appreciate the impact this has on families, which is why we will extend our review of provision and consider points raised by our communities. We are committed to making every effort to minimise the increase in price while still covering the operating costs needed to continue to deliver high-quality wraparound care. We will also of course ensure there is support available for families who need it.

“We will be able to share a further update with families within the next week. In the meantime, we would like to thank our parents and carers for their understanding and support as we work hard to ensure we can continue to deliver high-quality, financially sustainable wraparound provision for the long term.”

A link to the petition can be found here.