Nursery World - Local authority timescales to inform providers of funding rates shortened

Local authorities will have to confirm funding rates to early years providers eight weeks after the DfE announces local authority rates, under new rules being brought in.

The time local authorities have to tell providers their funding rates is to be shortened, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

The move by the Department for Education is to ‘provide greater funding certainty to nurseries and childcare providers’.

The DfE has also said it has made clear to all local authorities that they should confirm funding rates that come into force from 1 April, no later than the end of February.

It comes after many early years providers refused to commit to delivering the extended hours until they found out their funding rate. Nursery World reported earlier this week that just a handful of local authorities had confirmed their funding rates to providers.

At the same time, the latest Government data shows that 102,480 children have registered for the extended hours.

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