Network Whispers - Ministerial numeracy standards, National Living Wage, and the 30 hours 'surprise'

WAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

One Lancashire-based schools forum PVI rep has been gathering accounts of the impact of the National Living Wage increase to make the case for extra funding. ‘Its no good complaining in April when it hits the fan,’ she diplomatically said in an attempt to encourage more than the 18 replies she has had so far. This comes on the back of a report by the Low Pay Commission which found two-fifths of NLW childcare workers were underpaid, the highest for any sector, while the proportion of childcare workers paid the minimum wage is rising.

NUMERICALLY CHALLENGED

Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi has been doing the rounds – he was on Channel 4 News talking about plans to improve services for care-leavers, and Brexit; on Question Timeand on LBC, where he refused to admit a real-terms funding cut in the face of questioning from a Harrow nursery owner. ‘I think, minister, you just have to be really honest and say “yes the funding rate hasn’t increased and in real terms that’s a cut’’,’ said the nursery owner. ‘Even my three-year-old with minimal maths education knows something is bigger than something else, and here it’s not.’ Meanwhile, in response to a question in Parliament, he nearly caused a major headache at his department by pledging £960,000 for nursery schools in Greenwich, before quickly amending this to the promised figure of £690,000. Maybe numbers aren’t the minister’s strong suit…

NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY

Some councils were ‘unprepared’ for the amount of work involved with 30 hours, according to Ivana La Valle, who co-authored the DfE-funded evaluation of the scheme. Speaking at an Early Childhood Studies Degree Network event, she said, ‘Many had no idea how many parents in their areas were eligible for 30 hours. At one point councils had to drop everything else and just do 30 hours support.’