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The Early Years Alliance has written to Wiltshire Council to urge it to reconsider plans to cut the amount of funding passed onto providers who have temporarily closed, following concerns raised by member settings in the area.

In an email to Wiltshire providers sent on Thursday 9 April, the council announced that early years settings in the area that have closed will only receive 80% of their early years entitlement for the summer term in order to fund a new “incentive scheme” which will pay providers who have remained open an extra £100 per child per week.

The Department for Education has previously confirmed in  that “government would continue to pay for free early years entitlement places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds even if settings were closed or children were not able to attend” adding: “We expect local authorities should follow this position and continue early entitlements funding for all childminders, schools and nurseries”.

This position was reiterated in an open letter to the sector from children and families minister Vicky Ford, sent on 24 March, which stated: “I know that local authorities will want to honour this position and pass funding onto providers as if things were ‘usual’ – I have made clear that this is my firm expectation.”

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, said:

“We know that these are incredibly challenging times for local authorities trying to ensure that there is enough provision for key worker families and vulnerable children in the local area.

“That said, the Department for Education has been very clear that it is expects local authorities to pass on ‘free entitlement’ funding as normal during this period, and many providers in Wiltshire will have already budgeted on this basis. To suddenly be faced with a 20% reduction in funding, with no consultation or discussion, has understandably caused a great deal of worry and anger among local providers.

“As such, while we understand the rationale behind the desire to help those providers who are able to stay open during this difficult time, this should not be done at the expense of those providers who have had to take the tough decision to temporarily close.

“We have written to the council today as a matter of urgency to urge them to reconsider this decision. While it is important that providers are supported to stay open where possible for those families who need childcare during this crisis, it’s equally vital that those that have closed receive the support they need to remain sustainable, both now and in the long-term.”