If you deliver the free early years entitlement, then from September 2010 you will be expected to provide a flexible 15-hour offer. But how should this operate? If flexibility is to work for children, parents and you as a provider, then it is vital you share your views as part of the DCSF's discussion paper on the flexible entitlement.
The paper proposes that local authorities will create 'local agreements' with providers for a flexible offer within the confines of national parameters. The parameters include how the offer must be taken over a minimum of three days, and delivered by a maximum of two providers.
The document raises important questions about quality, stretching the offer over more than 38 weeks, and highlights plans for what flexibility will mean. For example, do you agree that high-quality providers should receive more funding, or that your local authority should be able to look at your staff qualification levels? Already, it is clear that moving towards supporting quality will require a robust Code of Practice so that certain providers are not penalised.
It is especially important that you say whether you think the national parameters are the right ones. NDNA believes that if the offer is to support the most disadvantaged families, then flexibility needs to be balanced with sustainability for providers. Similarly, it is vital to outline how you think local agreements should be defined within the input of parents and providers. Would you prefer to work with individual parents, or should there be a standard offer for flexibility?
Of course, funding continues to be a major concern for providers. Although this discussion paper does not raise funding as a question, we will be highlighting it as a barrier to true flexibility and will continue to push for funding reform.
There is much to be done to ensure a system that works for all involved, and there are still some key reforms to implement. However, we are urging all nurseries to have their say on how flexibility can work to ensure that we have a Code of Practice that can deliver this.
Purnima Tanuku is chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association. NDNA members can access a free factsheet on the discussion paper and a national member event on 30 June will explore the implications of the document. To find out more call 01484 407070 or email lucy.peacock@ndna.org.uk
