Funding formula data is incomplete, say providers
Ross Watson
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Childcare providers in the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sector claim the new model for early years funding is flawed.
The Early Years Single Funding Formula is due to roll out to all local authorities next April. But the Pre-school Learning Alliance told CYP Now many local authorities had struggled to calculate the precise costs of the PVI sector, which may lead to funding based on inaccurate data.
"Some PVI providers have been reluctant to share information, while local authorities have struggled to collect data beyond what they have from schools and council-run nurseries," said John Theedom, the alliance's business development manager.
Mike Heiser, senior policy consultant for the Local Government Association, is confident thorough cost analyses have been conducted, but added: "If they had another year, then the data would be better."
