Shake-up to early years funding welcomed by 4Children
Joe Lepper
Monday, July 26, 2010
The charity 4Children has welcomed the government's backing for a single funding formula for the early years sector.
In announcing a radical shake-up of school funding, Education Secretary Michael Gove said that from April next year all councils will be required to implement the early years single funding formula.
He said this would "improve fairness and transparency in the system" and would encourage a diverse range of provision.
4Children chief executive Anne Longfield said: "Providers in all sectors of childcare provision will welcome the certainty afforded by today’s announcement that the coalition government will press ahead with the early years single funding formula from April.
"4Children has always supported the principle of transparency and consistency in early years funding. What is really important is that children and families have access to high-quality affordable early education and care. We believe that in the longer term a single funding formula will support this aim."
Also announced by Gove were plans to introduce a pupil premium for schools to boost funding for disadvantaged pupils.
He said this would "improve fairness and transparency in the system" and would encourage a diverse range of provision.
4Children chief executive Anne Longfield said: "Providers in all sectors of childcare provision will welcome the certainty afforded by today’s announcement that the coalition government will press ahead with the early years single funding formula from April.
"4Children has always supported the principle of transparency and consistency in early years funding. What is really important is that children and families have access to high-quality affordable early education and care. We believe that in the longer term a single funding formula will support this aim."
Also announced by Gove were plans to introduce a pupil premium for schools to boost funding for disadvantaged pupils.