Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the 2020/21 Early Years Budget report.

Alan Voyzey presented the 2020/21 Early Years Budget report.

Ian Morgan stated the Early Years Working Group had met with colleagues from the finance team and Early Years representatives, they went through the funding formula and the proposed Early Years Budget in detail.  As a result, additional funding was identified in addition to the hourly rate increase, and most providers would benefit from this sum by an increse in the quality supplement.  Ian Morgan stated that it would be preferable if all providers could benefit from the quality supplement (currently only 65% of providers would benefit from the quality supplement).  Lynne Samuel explained that, in total the sum was equivalent to a very small percentage of a pence and it would have been difficult to add to the hourly rate.

Alan Voyzey stated that the quality supplement was therefore being increased from £300k to £375k, increasing the hourly rate from 20 pence to 25 pence. 

Ian Morgan stated that it had not been possible to agree the Early Years Budget at the last meeting because the previous report was lacking detail.  The detail was now clear and he was pleased that qualified teaching staff would have an increase by 5p per hour.

Kerry Clifford stated that over the last few years there had been a move towards having more qualified teachers and graduate students working in nurseries.  She believed that it was right to benefit those providers who had put in the time and effort in taking on more qualified staff.

Lynne Samuel stated that although not all providers would benefit from the quality supplement, all would receive a 7 pence increase in the hourly rate.

Alan Voyzey stated that there had been a delay in receiving information from the government this year, due to various reasons, including Brexit; but he expected that individual Early Years providers would be notified of the full impact of the rate increases by no later than 31 March.

In response to a question Lynne Samuel stated that the Early Years’ Contingencies fund was legally different from that of the Schools Block Contingency, it should be considered a balancing Reserve.  She suggested having a discussion about Early Years’ contingencies/reserves at the Task and Finish Group.

Ian Morgan and Kerry Clifford confirmed that they were in agreement with the proposal.   

RESOLVED That:

1)     Schools Forum approved the centrally retained element of the 2020/21 Early Years Budget which would be used to fund the associated statutory duties of the Local Authority;

2)     Schools Forum noted the proposals to increase the current hourly rates paid to all providers by 7p per hour, and to increase the quality supplement to providers employing qualified teaching staff by 5p per hour; and

3)     The Early Years Task and Finish Group would discuss the Early Years’ contingencies options.