Agenda item

Early Years Block 2020-21: including Centrally Retained and proposed formula

Minutes:

The settlement for the Early Years Block 2020-21 was £14.3m, of which 5% could be withheld to support central services.  The report reflected an annual piece of work, indicating the proposed breakdown of how that funding would be utilised, using a formula previously approved by Schools Forum.  As there was no provision for 2-year-old funding it had been accounted for in the same way as 3-and 4-year-old funding.  It was proposed that the strategic formula should be reduced although it was confirmed that SEBDOS would remain the same and could not be reduced.

 

A revised settlement was due in July 2020, based on January 2020 census figures. Therefore, as in previous years, these figures were subject to change dependent on parental up take of provision.  In Slough it was known that there had been a positive increase in those taking up 2-year old provision from 33% to 63%.  There were ongoing discussions with parent champions and providers: a number of strategies had been introduced and campaigns would continue to promote increased participation.  Take up was not affected by demographics and it was noted that nationally the LA was performing better than its’ neighbours. 

 

It was explained that there was no requirement to retain a central percentage for High Needs so any such decision would be made by the LA concerned.  An element of funding within Early Years was Inclusion funding but this was not a direct transfer from High Needs.  It was acknowledged that the funding received did not meet need.

 

Schools Forum AGREED the proposed use of centrally retained funds at 5% across the Early Years Block 2020-21, as outlined.

Supporting documents: