Possible changes could include indicating the funding allocated for each area, so that local authorities and partnerships would know the likely level of resources available. The Scottish Executive plans to consult on proposals for changes to the NOFearly this year.
In Early Education and Childcare Plans 2001-2004: Guidance to Partnerships, the Scottish Executive notes that 'it is in everyone's interest to increase the success rate of bids, and to streamline the process as much as possible'. This follows a Glasgow University analysis of partnership plans carried out for the Executive, which found that the return on investment of time in NOF applications was low. One partnership had submitted eight bids, only two of which had been successful.
The Executive and NOF also want to encourage consortium applications, in which a group of childcare providers in a particular area pledge to work together on provision. Across the UK, over half the grants made by NOF are now to consortium applicants, and over 90 per cent of consortium applications are successful. Consortium applications are seen as a more strategic approach to meeting needs than multiple smaller unconnected bids, and they are also more straightforward for applicants.
