MPs launch inquiry into Early Years Single Funding Formula

Last week the cross-party Commons children, schools and families committee heard from campaigners that children in deprived areas could be hit hardest with a loss of funding to maintained nursery schools.

Their concerns have prompted the committee to hold an official inquiry into early years funding. A report is expected early next year.

The committee is calling for written evidence on the expected impact of the EYSFF on early years education and childcare services, difficulties which have been encountered in drawing up the new formula, and how local authorities plan to deal with this.

Teaching unions have also waded into the funding debate.

John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said, 'The Government is on record as saying that nursery schools should be protected, but we see no evidence of this. It's a top priority to protect nursery provision and we are working with Unison on this.'

He also warned that it could affect special educational needs provision for children.

The NUT is calling for a rethink of the funding formula, echoing a call last week by Mick Brooks, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers.

Early years experts have also taken their concerns about the EYSFF to the letters pages of The Guardian, where Eva Lloyd and Helen Penn from the University of East London, June O'Sullivan from the London Early Years Foundation, Alison Garnham from the Daycare Trust, Kate Green from the Child Poverty Action Group and Fiona Weir from Gingerbread wrote to warn of the formula's threat to nursery schools.

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.parliament.uk/csf/