Consultation on free entitlement Code of Practice ducks funding questions
Details of the revised Code of Practice for the free early years entitlement have been published at the start an eight-week consultation with early years providers.
The entitlement is to be extended to 15 hours and offered more flexibly over 38 weeks from September 2010 (News, 7 May and 14 May). The consultation reinforces a commitment to delivering it through a mixed economy of private, voluntary, independent and maintained provision, but does not include specific questions about levels of funding.
However, it highlights new requirements for 'transparent and equitable' funding, with the intention that all local authorities will by April 2010 implement a Single Funding Formula, to apply across all PVI settings and schools.
Proposals include:
- setting national parameters for how to access the 15 hours over a minimum of three days for a minimum of 38 weeks; sessions should be a minimum of two hours and a maximum of ten hours per day
- local authorities to state how parents can use the 15 hours in their area with flexibility, such as over three, rather than five days
- allowing providers to make a 'reasonable' charge for meals, but parents may provide their child with a packed lunch
- requiring every local authority to set up childminder networks to deliver the free offer.
Tom Hackwood of Leaping Lizards Day Nursery and Stepping Stones Nursery School gave his initial reaction to the plans. He said the document failed to 'address the most fundamental question' of how increased cost implications would be met by providers.
'If funding remains at unrealistic levels, I believe the market will quickly become divided, with many private providers being forced to opt out of the scheme,' he said.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Respond by 8 July to 'Extending the free early education entitlement' at www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations.
