Nurseries demand ringfence for free childcare funds
Janaki Mahadevan
Friday, February 10, 2012
Early years providers must receive the money allocated by government to deliver free childcare places through a ringfenced fund to make sure they can deliver the scheme successfully, nurseries have warned.
In its response to the government’s consultation on the free entitlement to early education for three- and four-year-olds and disadvantaged two-year-olds, the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) gathered the views of its members who stressed the importance of earmarked funding.
The membership organisation also urged local authorities to work closely with providers when interpreting and applying the revised code of practice, which governs how the entitlement must be delivered.
Purnima Tanuku, NDNA chief executive, said: "The funding allocated to early years provision must reach the frontline otherwise it is not sustainable for many nurseries to participate in the free entitlement.
"This could become a particular problem with the plans to expand places for more two-year-olds from less advantaged backgrounds due to the higher ratios required and additional needs that these families may have."
NDNA maintained in its response that funding for the two-year-old offer must sit in the dedicated schools grant, not the unringfenced early intervention grant, which it currently is.
Tanuku added: "We also want to see clear, user-friendly data on funding for the free entitlement in each local authority available for parents, communities and providers so they can hold their local authorities to account.
"Providers, local authorities and national organisations must work together if we are to maximise the benefit of the government’s investment in the early years."
