FIT 'N' FUN KIDS - News

Business Development Award - Nursery World Awards 2011

Policy and Politics

Owner campaigns for change on tax duties

Katy Morton, 20 September 2011, 12:00am

 

A nursery owner is calling for ring-fencing of the tax that nurseries have to pay on Government funding so private settings can reinvest money back into their provision and pass the savings on to parents.

Rachel Jones, owner of Fit 'N' Fun Kids (left) is campaigning for changes to business tax and VAT for nurseries

 

Currently, any funding that nurseries receive is considered income and is taxed accordingly.

 

Rachel Jones, managing director of Fit 'n' Fun Kids in Cornwall, claims that if the Government ring-fenced the business tax that private nurseries and out-of-school clubs are charged on funding for threeand four-year-old places, and training, apprenticeships and graduate placements, then they could put the money back into their provision and reduce fees for parents.

Fit 'n' Fun Kids is registered as a limited company, which means that the setting is taxed on any profits it makes.
Ms Jones argues that not only would the ring-fencing of taxation help parents with childcare costs and lift barriers to them returning to work, it would also help nurseries facing the same challenges in the current economic climate.

 

She also suggests the Government change the childcare 'exempt' category for VAT to zero-rated, which would allow private nurseries to claw back VAT paid out.

The provision of childcare services by registered daycare providers is exempt from VAT. This means that nurseries cannot register for VAT and cannot recover any VAT on any purchases of good and services.

If VAT was zero-rated for childcare providers, as it is in the construction industry, settings could claim back tax for any equipment or resources purchased without having to add VAT to their fees.

 

Last week Ms Jones raised the issue with deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who was on a visit to Newquay.

The nursery owner has also broached the subject with the MP for Truro and Falmouth, Sarah Newton, and spoken to her Local Enterprise Partnership, which has said it will lobby the issue in Parliament.

 

Ms Jones said, 'Our nursery has been in business for ten years and demand is steadily increasing. We do all we can to help families by providing wraparound and out-of-school care and transportation services, along with running support creches.

'If taxation was ring-fenced then nurseries wouldn't struggle as they could reinvest the money back into the setting, which could also be used to support parents with high-quality, affordable childcare. An audit could be carried out to ensure settings are putting the money back into the nursery.'

Claire Schofield, the National Day Nurseries Association's director of membership, policy and communications, said, 'An important step to help create equality for the whole of the nursery sector would be to give nurseries a zero-rated VAT status. The increase to 20 per cent has impacted on the sector's ability to invest, and increased day-to-day running costs. Research undertaken by NDNA in March 2011 indicated how this was seen as a major challenge by nurseries and was increasing pressure on parental fees at a time when parents are already struggling with inflation and cuts to tax credits. NDNA also wants to see changes to business rates, with a special category for nurseries to acknowledge their role as vital parts of the local economy and support for parents.'

 

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said, 'I do understand the sentiment for more revenue than is available, but the bigger issue is that if the Government paid the correct level for threeand four-year-old funding, then nurseries wouldn't be subsidising it, and more money would be available for nurseries to put back into their business.'

Employer of the Year 2011 and Excellence in Marketing Award Winners

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15th April 2011 ~ Fit 'N' Fun Kids sponsor Pirate FM's Local Heros Good Neighbour Award 2011!

1st April 2011 ~ Fit 'N' Fun Kids celebrate 10 young years in the childcare industry!! Happy Birthday!!!  (photos to follow)

Excellence in Business Training and Development Awards 2011

Winner - Significant Business Impact

Winner - Outstanding Committment to Apprenticeships

Please click here to see the video, view the slideshow and find out more !

Nursery Management today (nmt) Awards 2010

Finalist - Rachel Jones - Nursery Manager of the Year 2010

Finalist - Carol Taylor - Nursery Chef/Cook of the Year 2010

    Winners - Team Development Award 2010

  Finalist Rachel Jones - Nursery Manager of the Year 

Rachel Jones -  Winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2010

Congratulations to Rachel Jones, Managing Director of Fit 'N' Fun Kids Ltd on winning the catagory of Entrepreneur of the Year 2010.  This is Rachel's third attendance at the prestigeous Cornwall Business Awards having being shortlisted 2006, winner 2007 and winner again this year!!

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FREE Pre-School Sessions for 3 and 4 year olds

Fit 'n' Fun Kids offer FREE Pre-School Sessions for 3 and 4 year olds up to 16 hours per week, thats correct one extra hour free! Please contact us for more information....

Well done to Rachel, Amy, Marie, Danika and Tracy - Fit 'N' Fun Kids Team who particpated in 2010 Race for Life, raising monies for Cancer Research

Congratulations to Nicky Gill of our Falmouth setting for her Degree in Early Years Childhood and Education and Good Luck with completion of Early Years Professional Status for July 2010!

Fit 'N' Fun Kids received 'GOLD' Investors in People Accrediation - March 2010

Managing Director at childcare and activities organisation, Fit 'N' Fun Kids, Rachel Jones, was keen to make sure that work would be fun for her staff too and has taken advantage of the Investors in People Framework to look after the needs of her employees. The company achieved Investors in People status in October.

Established in 2001, Award winning Fit ‘N’ Fun Kids provides many aspects of childcare activities including full day care, out of school care, holiday care, physical development classes and support crèches.

Commenting on the award,  Rachel Jones, said we are delighted to have received ‘Gold’ Investors in People accreditation.  We are proud to be the first industry in Cornwall to achieve the ‘Gold’ standard.  Investors in People has challenged us to extend our existing accreditation to new levels of effectiveness.  We have been assessed on recruitment and selection, leadership and management, professional development, work life balance, supporting our community and more importantly how we work as a team to meet the aims and objectives of our strategic service plan and support and reward our staff for their hard work, commitment and loyalty.  Reviewing and raising our standards ensures our staff have the required support to deliver high quality childcare, leading to improved outcomes for children.

Assessor for Quality South West, the Investors in People Centre for the South West,  Sharon Storr, commented: “I am delighted that  Fit ‘N’ fun Kids has achieved the Investor in People Gold Standard. There is a great deal of care taken for individual members of staff, their needs and their welfare. There is real inspiration to learn, motivation to improve, and an enthusiastic and positive approach to everything at the top. This rubs off on everyone, who seem to have boundless energy when approaching discussions, training and their work!”

Investors in People’s aim is to help employers across the UK to develop their

businesses by making the most of their most valuable asset – their people.

Liam Chinn wins 'Outstanding Achievement of an Apprentice at the Cornwall Excellence in Business Awards Jauary 2010  

Liam Chinn is breaking down gender stereotypes as a male nursery nurse apprentice at Fit 'N' Fun Kids Ltd.  Rachel Jones, Managing Director said "We are pleased  to have Liam as a positive male role model for the children".  At the 2010 Cornwall College Excellence in Business and Training Awards, Liam was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement of an Apprentice Award.

Liam first joined Fit 'N' Fun Kids at the age of 15, one day a week whilst in his final year of school to obtain experience in the childcare industry.  Liam then went onto complete his NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and Education whilst at Sixth Form, still attending Fit 'N' Fun Kids two days per week.  Rachel Jones said, "We were extremely impressed by Liam's level of commitment and did not hesitate to offer him an Apprenticeship when he left sixth form.  Liam has gone on to complete his NVQ Level 3 and is a valuable member of our team."

"Liam's continued support to his colleagues and excellent work with the children has added to the success of our business.  Co-workers have said that Liam's confidence and understanding of his role as a nursery practitioner has grown and he shows a gentle caring manner with the children.  He uses positive body language getting down to their level, listening and responding to the children in a way that makes them feel valued.  Liam displays a professional and respectful manner when talking to parents and colleagues.  Liam is a strong team member and is loved by his colleagues, the children and their parents."

Well done Liam!!! 

Rachel Jones wins Individual Skills Award at 2009 Cornwall Works WISE Awards 

The Cornwall Works WISE Awards are an annual celebration recognising excellence in employment and skills activity in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The awards ceremony itself is timed to fit as closely as possible to Europe Day (May 9th) to highlight the important role that the European Social Fund (at present through the ESF Convergence Programme) is playing in employment, skills and training and innovation across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Local Government Minister, Sadiq Khan, said: ''Every effort to help more people access the skills or jobs they need to their potential should be applauded. These awards do just that and shine an important spotlight on people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who make it their daily purpose to make a positive difference to their communities and businesses, with the help of European funding.'' The individual skills award recognises a person who has risen personally to the challenge of gaining new work related skills or who has helped others to do so.

Rachel Jones scoops Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 Cornwall Business Awards

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Fit 'N' Fun Kids receive an excellent OFSTED report!

Fit 'N' Fun Kids Day Care Nursery and Out of School Care Centre based in Tregoniggie Industrial Estate are delighted to have received an excellent Ofsted Report.

Rachel Jones, Managing Director of Fit 'N' Fun Kids said, “Ofsted were very impressed with the facilities offered at our Nursery, in particular access to various outside and indoor play areas. It was felt that the organisation of the setting was good in that the children benefit from being cared for in a well organised setting where routines are well planned and balanced, giving all children opportunities to rest, play and be active. Each group's activities and routines are adapted to meet individual children's needs and coordinated to ensure that each group has suitable time in both the soft play and outdoor play areas. A range of resources and child sized furniture is available. Staffing structure and roles are clearly defined. All necessary documentation is available to ensure the safe management of the provision. Staff know the children well and share information well with parents.

Children benefit from being cared for by a well trained and enthusiastic team of staff , who work well together with leadership and management being good. The quality of teaching and learning is good with staff having a secure knowledge of the foundation stage with regular monitoring of effectiveness of activities and childrens progress, to ensure that a balanced, challenging range of activities covering all areas of learning is provided.

Children at Fit 'N' Fun Kids develop awareness of difference and diversity through seeing and handling of resources to teach them about other culture, lifestyles and abilities and disabilities daily. Staff plan topics and activities to enable children to learn about their own community and the wider world. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

Staff work effectively with parents and relevant agencies to meet childrens individual needs and parents express confidence that their children's needs are met well. Enthusiastic and universal use of sign language promotes integration and communication for all and children with learning difficulties and disabilities are well integrated and included in the setting”.

Rachel Jones said “My excellent team of staff and myself were delighted with this report and are all extremely motivated and excited with our future plans for continued personal development and improvement in the quality of childcare provided at Fit 'N' Fun Kids.

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Excellence In Childcare Awards

Tuesday 24 June saw the seventh annual Excellence in Childcare Awards, hosted by Kids’ Clubs Network at the Globe Theatre in London. This prestigious event formed the highlight of KIds’ Club Week, part of National Sure Start Month, and aimed to highlight the difference childcare can make to a child’s life.

The winners were:

• Prima Childcarer of the Year: Jackie Decon from Southend

• Childminder of the Year: Jane Fisher from Boroughbridge

• Childcare Entrepreneur of the Year: Rachel Jones from Falmouth

• Prima Baby Nursery Worker of the Year: Hazel Ashley from Warrington

• Best Out of School Club: Cana After School Club, Aberdare

• Playworker of the Year: Carol Klein from St. Neots

• Lifetime Achievement in the field of Childcare: Joan Bailer MBE

The awards were sponsored by the Sure Start Unit in association with Genderquake, NCMA, NDNA, Prima, Prima Baby and Nursery World.