The DfE is seeking expressions of interest from providers with an 'outstanding track record' who are willing to work closely with a local authority to open a new setting in a disadvantaged area.
The aim of the potential project is to encourage more outstanding provision in deprived areas, improve children's outcomes and demonstrate how early years providers, working with local authorities - which are also being recruited by the DfE - can use different business models to achieve this.
While the DfE is looking to secure financial support for the project, it is particularly keen to hear from providers who are prepared to operate on a social enterprise or not-for-profit basis.
Support may be available to individual projects to help with their evaluation and monitoring, subject to available funding in the next financial year.
To take part in the project, providers must have an 'outstanding' track record, as demonstrated by Ofsted inspections, and be able to attract, train and retain staff for best practice in improving outcomes for children.
They also have to be willing to work with their 'partner' local authority, able to help establish success criteria for the project and contribute to the evaluation of outcomes, as well as be enthusiastic about participating and engaging in a national project by, for example, sharing learning and good practice.
The DfE believes that the project will be particularly attractive to providers that may previously have been unsure about establishing provision in more disadvantaged areas.
It is also approaching local authorities across the country to establish likely interest, and says that early indications are very encouraging. The role of local authorities is likely to include helping providers with premises, promoting the new provision to local parents, facilitating access to local networks or sharing good practice in spending the Early Years Pupil Premium.
A DfE spokesperson said, 'We are looking into whether there is interest among early years providers in working with local authorities on a project to help improve outcomes for children in deprived areas.
'There are no confirmed plans in place at this stage, but we will provide updates on this in due course.'
HAPPY KIDS
Happy Kids Childcare, a group of nine nurseries all based in deprived areas that was established to deliver the early education places, has given its backing to the DfE's new project.
Director Steve Scott said, 'Any initiative that can raise the quality of childcare provision in areas of high deprivation is welcomed.
'The fact that the DfE has recognised this as an issue is both positive and negative, as it implies that capital funding for local authorities linked to the expansion of the two-year-old entitlement didn't achieve the intended outcomes.'
He added, 'To achieve sustainable quality provision, settings need to maximise income and minimise costs without compromising quality. The biggest cost to any nursery or pre-school is in staffing.
'It would be good if through this project, the rates for delivering places for two-year-olds and threeand four-year-olds are looked at and a review undertaken of the single funding formula local authorities apply.'
To read Mr Scott's full comment, see www.nurseryworld.co.uk/comment.
- Early years providers interested in participating in the project should email alison.britton@education.gsi.gov.uk by Friday 5 December, including information about any specific areas of the country they would be interested in working in.
