Staff planning software

Branwen Jeffreys @branwenjeffreys on Twitter Published 20 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Nurseries and other childcare providers say plans to allow more children for each member of staff in England will not cut costs for parents. Most nurseries and pre-schools were opposed and would not increase numbers, the Early Years Alliance charity said. One mother, whose two-year-old has severe allergies, told BBC News she did not want staff stretched further. The government said it would consult on whether to allow each member of staff in England to look after more children. Currently, in a nursery in England, one adult can look after four two-year-olds. In Scotland, five are allowed. The government is to ask parents and childcare providers' views on whether to do the same in England. But a snapshot of views gathered by the Early Years … [Read more...] about Childcare costs: Nurseries resist staff looking after more children

By Vanessa Clarke and Sanchia Berg Published 10 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Plans to let nurseries and childminders look after more two-year-olds in England are to be put to parents. In England, one adult can be in charge of four children, but the government says it wants to lower the cost for parents by following the Scottish model of one adult caring for five toddlers. Most nurseries say the systems cannot be compared and do not want the change. A mum who has spent more than £90,000 in nursery fees in seven years doubts a change would save parents much money. The consultation into the idea is expected to take eight weeks. Will Quince, the children and families minister, said it was about offering flexibility to early years settings and that he did not want to do anything that "compromises quality or safety". He told the BBC the Scottish … [Read more...] about Nurseries in England: Parents asked about proposed change to carer ratios

Published 11 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Parents of children attending a nursery run by the YMCA have said price increases of up to 250% meant childcare had become "unaffordable". The One YMCA Wootton Community Nursery in Bedford said it had been forced to put up prices as it was facing increased bills. Under new terms and conditions, parents would have to pay all year round, in line with many other private providers. The charity-run nursery said it would try and help struggling families. The Wootton site is one of three nurseries run by the YMCA in the town. Families said they would now have to pay a full year's fees, even if they only used the nursery in term time and not during school holidays. Adam, whose daughter Abigail attends the Wootton nursery, said the "disproportionate" increase meant his monthly fees would go from £217 to £761, an extra … [Read more...] about Bedford YMCA nursery parents angry at 250% rise in fees

By Branwen Jeffreys and Sallie George Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Rising food prices mean beef is off some school dinner menus, with staples such as potatoes also more expensive, caterers have told BBC News. Some caterers have switched to cheaper imported meats, and changed the fruit and vegetables on offer. Laca, the school caterers' association for England and Wales, said the quality of meals was under threat. In England, the government has just increased the funding for free school meals for the youngest children. Until recently, Laira Green Primary School in Plymouth served local Cornish beef for its roast dinners every Thursday, but has now switched to gammon as a cheaper alternative. Chicken is on the menu less often, replaced instead with cheaper turkey. The school is one of almost 70 around the city served by the same … [Read more...] about School dinners: Beef off the menu as costs rise

Shaw Elmsly got down on one knee on a flight from Nelson to Christchurch to propose to his girlfriend, Amy Langfield. Passengers on an Air New Zealand flight from Nelson to Christchurch were treated to some mile-high romance when a couple got engaged mid-flight. Shaw Elmsly got down on one knee in front of 50 passengers on the hour-long flight on Friday morning, asking girlfriend Amy Langfield to marry him – and she said yes. “The peer pressure of everyone on the plane watching... I was like, ‘I’ve got to answer this’,” Langfield joked on arrival at Christchurch Airport. Elmsly, who planned the proposal with the help of Air New Zealand staff, said he had been “very nervous” leading up to the flight, but had been trying to act normal so Langfield wouldn’t suspect anything. READ MORE: Lufthansa rebrands plane 'Lovehansa' for Pride Month 'A job well done': Healthy baby born in plane toilet Niwa meteorologist proposes to girlfriend during weather forecast “When … [Read more...] about Passenger proposes to girlfriend on Air New Zealand flight

STUFF Air New Zealand flight to Shanghai touches down after earlier flight was turned away by Chinese Authorities. Passengers on board an Air New Zealand flight to Shanghai that was forced to return to Auckland over the weekend have finally landed in China. Air New Zealand flight NZ289, which departed Auckland for Shanghai at about 11:45pm on Saturday, made a U-turn back to New Zealand four and a half hours after take off. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said a technicality meant the particular aircraft operating the service, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, did not have regulatory authority to land in China. The rescheduled flight departed at 11pm on Sunday and landed at Shanghai's Pudong Airport at around 12pm Monday, New Zealand time, with a flight time of 12 hours eight minutes, according to flight tracking website www.flightaware.com . READ MORE: Air New Zealand flight bound for Shanghai, China turned around mid-flight The incident made headlines around the … [Read more...] about Air NZ passengers on diverted flight to China finally touch down in Shanghai

Boris Becker has been commentating on the action at Wimbledon for fellow cons inside prison. The German, 54, has been keeping staff and inmates entertained inside Category C HMP Huntercombe by sharing his knowledge. The three-time Wimbledon champion and former World No1 has also been analysing players’ styles and predicting who will win and lose matches before they start. He has predicted that Novak Djokovic will win the championship and his likely opponent will be Rafael Nadal , providing he is not forced to retire through injury. Becker, who was sentenced to two and a half years for concealing £2.5m of assets to avoid paying money he owed after his bankruptcy, also correctly predicted Emma Raducanu would not make it past round two. Becker also told inmates that former British No1 Andy Murray would struggle to finish the first week of the event because he is still finding his best form. READ MORE: Loose cannon tennis star fined for 'soliciting prostitutes' called … [Read more...] about Boris Becker still commentating on Wimbledon for fellow lags inside prison cell

China's Huawei says it could invest millions of dollars in a "cybersecurity evaluation centre" that would be under the control of the Government Communications Security Bureau. The lab could vet 5G and other equipment that Huawei and potentially other companies supplied to the country's telcos, Huawei NZ deputy managing director Andrew Bowater said. But GCSB director-general Andrew Hampton responded coolly, appearing to indicate the offer might not be enough to allay its concerns about Huawei's involvement in the industry. Huawei's proposal would mirror its arrangements in Britain under which Huawei pays "tens of millions" for a laboratory to check equipment it supplies both to the UK and to New Zealand. READ MORE: China's Huawei offers to use '100% NZ' workers to mitigate spy concerns Huawei's woes deepen with arrest of CFO and British snub Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters promises to clarify Huawei matter with China The British Huawei Cybersecurity … [Read more...] about Let us into 5G and we could pay millions for NZ cyber lab, says Huawei