This month The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a six-week Early Years national funding formula consultation that aims to deliver a ‘fairer funding system’ for three and four year olds receiving the 30 hour free childcare.
The initiative, launched by new Education Secretary Justine Greening, has been to designed to deliver a more ‘transparent’ funding system and the formula will outline changes to the way local authorities fund early years providers in their area. There has also been a focus placed on making sure that children with special education needs or disabilities receive the extra funding that they need.
Ms Greening has said of the new funding formula,
“We are working with nurseries, preschools and childminders to support working parents with the costs of raising a family, doubling our free childcare offer to 30-hours for working parents of three- and four-year-olds. But to deliver on that commitment we know we must give every area of the country the funding it needs. These changes will transform the way we fund early years’ education, creating a fairer system that better provides the affordable, high-quality childcare families deserve.”
The Government plans to target funding to areas where additional places are needed the most. It is now possible for local authorities, working in partnership with providers, can now bid for capital grant funding to support 30 hours’ delivery.
We read last month, in a report from the Department of Health, that Early Years children should be receiving at least three hours of physical activity every day. The report highlighted the number of ways children can achieve this goal including through dancing, climbing and playing. With a focus being placed on improving Early Years childcare, the opportunities for funding to improve a nursery environment are increasing.
Finding funding is always a challenge for schools and nurseries, that’s why we’ve put together a wealth of resources to get you started. Find some of them in the links below and check out our Fundraising Guide for even more details.
Top tips for structuring a successful bid for grant funding
Fundraising for your new playground.. where should you start?
Getting started with applying for grants
Funding your new playground
If you’d like to speak to our team about a free consultation and design, call us on 01225 792660 or contact us here.