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EARLY EDUCATION CALLS FOR URGENT RETHINK ON
EARLY YEARS SINGLE FUNDING FORMULA AS SURVEY OF MAINTAINED NURSERY SCHOOLS
REVEALS CHAOS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING STRATEGY
Strictly embargoed: 0.01 Thursday 24th September 2009
The British Association of Early Childhood Education (Early Education) is
urging a government rethink on the implementation of the Early Years Single
Funding Formula across maintained, private, voluntary and independent
settings in England after a survey of maintained nursery schools and
children’s centres revealed a confused and chaotic picture. Less than six
months out from implementation, three out of four schools and children’s
centres do not know how they will be funded by their local authority.
Key survey findings include:
· Only 1 in 5 of maintained nursery schools and children’s centres who
responded had been advised of their single funding formula base rate.
· Almost all (96.9%) of those maintained nursery schools who responded to
the survey did not believe that the single funding formula would create a
level playing field in the early education and care market through raising
qualifications and training of staff.
· Less than a third (29.8%) believed that they would also be in receipt of a
‘quality’ supplement and many say that they will not be able to maintain the
level of quality and effective practice that their schools and centres
deliver now.
· Few respondents (17.6%) know how or if the local authority will manage any
adjustment of the single funding formula once it had been implemented. The
majority of local authorities (74.1%) are yet to say whether there will be
any transitional arrangements put in place to manage the significant cuts in
funding that the implementation of the Early Years Single Funding Formula
will bring.
Megan Pacey, Chief Executive of Early Education said
“Early Education warned in its Nursery Schools Now report that there was
growing anxiety amongst maintained nursery school headteachers of the impact
that the single funding formula was going to have on maintained nursery
schools, many of whom provide access to early education for the most
disadvantaged children, extended services for families and support for other
settings.
“Less than six months out from its implementation, only a fifth of these
schools and centres know what their future funding will look like and
managers and staff are unable to plan for the massive readjustment caused by
significantly reduced funding.
“Maintained nursery schools are acknowledged as having developed a distinct
form of high quality education for a distinct stage in young children’s
lives. There is a consistent and growing body of evidence that demonstrates
the effectiveness of maintained nursery school provision and good outcomes
for children.
“Early Education’s survey has revealed a picture of chaos and confusion.
Despite a pilot programme, local authorities in the majority of areas are
struggling to set formulae that ensure the sustainability of many effective
high quality maintained nursery schools and classes.
“Over the past ten years there has been significant investment in early
education and care. If the single funding formula is implemented in its
current state, a decade of investment benefiting the most disadvantaged
children and their families is at risk and the highest quality and most
effective nursery provision will be lost.”
##ENDS##
For further information please contact:
Megan Pacey
Chief Executive
Telephone: 0207 539 540 / 07545 488 004
Email:
megan@early-education.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. This press release relates to the Implementing the Single Funding Formula
How is it affecting you? A progress report of how the implementation of the
Single Funding Formula is impacting on Maintained Nursery Provision and
Children’s Centre in England, September 2009.
2. The progress report is informed by the responses of 138 heads and
teachers in maintained nursery school provision between the 26th June and
the 24th July 2009 in England.
3. Nursery Schools Now: Maintained Nursery Schools in England and their role
in supporting the evolution of early childhood services can be downloaded
from www.early-education.org.uk .
4. The British Association for Early Childhood Education (Early Education)
is the leading independent national charity for early years practitioners
and parents, campaigning for the right of all children to education of the
highest quality. Founded in 1923, it has members in England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales and provides a national voice on matters that
relate to effective early childhood education and care of young children
from birth to eight, advising parents, central and local government and
through the media. The organisation supports the professional development of
practitioners through training, conferences, seminars and access to a
national and regional branch network. For more information on the work of
Early Education visit www.early-education.org.uk
Implementing the
Single Funding Formula How is it affecting you?
A progress report on how the implementation of the Single Funding Formula is
impacting on Maintained Nursery Provision and Children’s Centres in England
September 2009
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