Wiltshire Council announces funding cuts
By Rachel Lawler
Wiltshire Council has been urged to reconsider plans to cut the amount of funding passed on to early years providers who have temporarily closed in response to the coronavirus crisis.
新澳门六合彩官网开奖 were contacted by the local authority on 9 April, informing them that settings that have closed will only recieve 80% of their early years entitlement funding for the summer term. Wiltshire Council says that the cut will help fund a new "incentive scheme" that will see providers who have remained open given an extra 拢100 a week for each child that they continue to care for.
The Alliance has written to the local authority asking it to reconsider its position.
Previously, the Department for Education confirmed that the "government would continue to pay for free early years entitlement places for two, three and four-year-olds even if settings were closed or children were not able to attend" in its official guidance. It added: "We expect local authorities should follow this position and continue early entitlements funding for all childminders, schools and nurseries."
Children and families minister Vicky Ford reiterated this in an open letter to the early years sector on 24 March. She said: 鈥淚 know that local authorities will want to honour this position and pass funding onto providers as if things were 鈥榰sual鈥 鈥 I have made clear that this is my firm expectation.鈥
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, commented:
鈥淲e 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.
鈥淭hat said, the Department for Education has been very clear that it is expects local authorities to pass on 鈥榝ree entitlement鈥 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.
鈥淎s 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.
鈥淲e 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鈥檚 equally vital that those that have closed receive the support they need to remain sustainable, both now and in the long-term.鈥
Find out more
Read the letter in full here