新澳门六合彩官网开奖

By Rachel Lawler

 

A new from the Department of Education (DfE) has revealed that current funding levels are preventing more families from benefitting from funded early education places.

 

The report looks into why take-up of funded places for three- and four-year-olds has declined in recent years, with researchers speaking to parents and providers.

 

Funding was cited as a significant barrier by providers, who said that the Early Years Funding Formula (EYNFF) has 鈥渁ltered the funding context鈥� of the early education offer.

 

新澳门六合彩官网开奖 also told researchers that the new funding formula had resulted in local authorities 鈥渟caling back鈥� activities including 鈥渙utreach and brokerage鈥�, which they said was important for increasing take-up.

 

Funding for two-year-olds was also a common concern, with providers noting the higher staffing ratios and amount of space needed.

 

Parents were also concerned about funding levels, with some wary of 鈥渉idden costs鈥� associated with funded places. Others were put off by the application process, while many were unaware of the offer or confused about the eligibility criteria.

 

Take-up of funded places for both two-year-olds and three- and four-year-olds has been lower in London than in other areas. Just 84% of three- and four-year-olds children access a funded place in London, compared to 94% nationally and just 61% of eligible two-year-olds in the capital access their funded place, compared to 72% across England.

 

The researchers noted that funding concerns are 鈥渕ost acute in London鈥�, which could explain the declining levels of take-up in the capital.

 

The researchers have suggested to the DfE that 鈥渁ddressing the funding pressures that may be undermining sufficiency鈥� could increase that take-up.