Despite private and voluntary early years settings being told for the past few years that the funding they receive for providing free nursery education sessions for three- and four-year-olds is perfectly adequate, the shortfall has hit many hard.
And in the current tough economic climate, the prospect of an extension to 15 hours a week, plus the roll-out of free sessions for two-year-olds, has worrying implications for nurseries' sustainability.
So the news that there is to be a consultation on the free entitlement, which should lead to a new code of practice, will give a glimmer of hope to beleaguered settings (see News, page 4).
One aspect that should come under scrutiny is the role of local authorities as the intermediaries between central government and providers. Many try their best in a tricky system, but some are top-slicing the funding more than is warranted, adding up to a huge amount of money nationally that doesn't reach those actually providing the service.
EYP Update goes online
Nursery World's regular section offering news, views, information and advice about the Early Years Professional Status is now available online at www.nurseryworld.co.uk/eypupdate.
EYP Update is sponsored by the Children's Workforce Development Council and includes case studies of those who have achieved EYPS and who are studying for it. There is a regular focus on local authorities around the country, and guides for managers on practice and funding. The Edge Hill University series on how to meet the 39 standards of EYPS, which has been running in Nursery World magazine for the past year, is also available in the online section.
New content will also be added regularly to the online section.
