Agenda item

Early Years Formula 2017/18

Minutes:

The Forum considered a report setting out the details of the process to formally consult early years providers on the options reviewed by the Early Years Task Group for implementing the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF).  The Council had implemented from April the hourly rates for 2 year olds and 3 and 4 year olds under the EYNFF and the Forum noted the 2017-18 Hourly Funding Rates for maintained nursery schools, primary schools and PVI providers.  Details of the supplements applicable were also reported.

 

It is a requirement for all Councils to move to full implementation of the new EYNFF, reflecting a universal base rate to be paid for all providers by April 2019.  (At present the base rate per hour for Primary Schools of £4.58 is below that applicable to Maintained Nursery Schools and PVI providers of £5.20). The Council will model the impact of this in the autumn and a consultation on 2018/19 will take place as part of the budget process.

 

It was agreed that dates for any meetings required for the Early Years Task Group would be circulated by the Council as soon as possible.

 

A number of points arose from discussion and questions:

 

  • For 2018-19, the central retention of the Early Years DSG block would reduce from 7% to 5%.
  • Maintained nursery school sector funding has been topped up with a commitment for the life of the parliament, but there has been no indication since the June General Election as to whether this would continue. A consultation is due and concerns were expressed that nurseries are vulnerable, particularly as the reduction of the deprivation rate to £0.47 per hour (previously £1.00) has an impact.
  • Deprivation is linked to Free School Meals eligibility and further work will be done to see if there are other ways to arrive at a fairer distribution e.g. through IDACI.

 

The Forum considered action in the following areas would be very helpful:

 

  • There needed to be meaningful discussions (outside of the Schools Forum) on how best to invest in nursery provision and support.  The Early Help Strategy Task and Finish Group had a key role in this and Johnny Kyriacou was asked to contact Rodney D’Costa about appropriate representation on that group.
  • Looking ahead to the next year’s consultation, it was requested that the Council prepare and issue a timetable for the consultation and approval of the EYNFF to assist with budget preparation in schools and nurseries and to include in that meetings of the Early Years Task Group.

 

Supporting documents: