Early years funding pathfinders given little time to prepare

The national rollout of the new funding formula for free childcare has been delayed for a year after concerns that many local authorities were not ready for it. The formula will now be applied from April 2011.
 
But any local authorities that feel ready to deliver the new formula are encouraged to apply to be pathfinders, starting from April this year.
 
However, a letter sent to all authorities from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), revealed that pathfinders will not be confirmed until mid-February. The letter explains that authorities must complete and return an application form to the DCSF by 31 January. It also poses a number of questions that applicants must answer to prove they are ready to implement the formula.
 
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, warned that even where local authorities feel they are ready to use the formula, there is still a lot of work to be done.
 
"Any local authority applying to implement the EYSFF needs to work in partnership with providers across all sectors to understand the potential issues and implications for the next financial year," she said.
 
"Communication and strong relationships, for example engagement with local nursery networks, will be crucial to the success of second wave pathfinders."