2 Year Old Funding

[LittleRhino]

Hi
Can anyone tell me what the criteria is to ne able to offer the 2 year old funded places very confused!! Thanks

[MessybutHappy]

Round here it's a "good" or outstanding grading, network member, NVQ 3, and have done some sort of specialism paperwork. I spoke to local early years team today and they have no plans to change this before september....

[LittleRhino]

Ok thanks though that x

[Samcat]

Here it's Good or Outstanding, NVQ3 or above and Network member. However, they've said as they will need so many places that if someone has a child at their setting who is eligible for funding and they are Satisfactory (or above) and willing to become a Network member, they can arrange access to the funding through that CM.

[Simona]

There are many threads and questions on this topic...there are variations from LA to LA at present but it will soon change when the DfE will issue guidance

This is the email I received yesterday from the DfE Deputy Director (same man who spoke at many conferences)

''I explained at the conference that at present LAs still have discretion to add quality requirements to providers locally. The government has recently consulted on changing the position so that all providers including childminders who are good and outstanding automatically qualify for free entitlement funding (assuming parents wish to place their child with them). The government has yet to issue its response to the consultation and it will obviously take a bit of time to implement any changes after that.'' (end)

So yes at the moment LAs can continue to apply their conditions but they are duty bound to ensue all 2 yo are covered...keep asking them to be included if that is what you wish to do.

[Samcat]

They are really pushing the 2 year funding here and trying to get CMs to take it up.
I've just completed an information update form from my LA and a leaflet with the info on providing FEET was included in the pack. Also there was a question on the form asking if you would be willing to provide spaces for FEET funded children and if so, how many.
I've provided 2 year old funding this term but only one out of the three prospective children they put my way came to anything. It was fine whilst I've had less children, but I won't be able to continue in the autumn as I won't have the space.

[LittleRhino]

Here it's Good or Outstanding, NVQ3 or above and Network member. However, they've said as they will need so many places that if someone has a child at their setting who is eligible for funding and they are Satisfactory (or above) and willing to become a Network member, they can arrange access to the funding through that CM.

What is the best way to find out as I have a friend that has got the funding and is really nervouse about leaving her son with anyone and wants to bring him to me but I have a satisfactory rating and want to help her if I can :-)

[Simona]

Your LA is best to provide you with all the information as they have had plenty of information from the DfE...send an email so your question is recorded and hopefully gets an answer

In areas where there are not enough Good/o's cms LAs can use satisfactory ones ...again up to LAs what conditions they impose but in future only Good/o's providers will do the funding

[LittleRhino]

Your LA is best to provide you with all the information as they have had plenty of information from the DfE...send an email so your question is recorded and hopefully gets an answer

In areas where there are not enough Good/o's cms LAs can use satisfactory ones ...again up to LAs what conditions they impose but in future only Good/o's providers will do the funding

Thanks for your help x

[vals]

Now we haven't got a network,the criteria for us is good or outstanding and having level 3.

[LittleRhino]

I wish that they would bring these things is and set the criteria and have done with it seams to be different everywhere its ridiculous :-D

[vikiwizz]

Here it's level 3 and at least good with Ofsted.

I am going to a meeting in July about it as although I haven't had my first grading yet I so have my level 3 so I want to have all the info and be in place for when I have my first grinding and hopefully get a good

[Simona]

In addition to the DfE email below I also received one from James Hempsall who is in charge of helping LAs roll out the funding
Las have at present a 'Code of Practice' for the funding...this will need to be changed and that is what the DfE is referring to when it says LAs have discretion, in other words they are bound by the Code

These are extracts from the email and he refers to the meeting on 6 June with LAs and Truss (I believe pacey was there as well):

''... our Achieving Two Year Olds national network meeting of local authorities and some of their providers. We had 360 people including the minister...It was very successful.

At the conference, I again called for greater involvement and inclusion of childminders.
There were many examples of how local authorities are funding their childminders. ...are right in that the code of practice is being updated for LAs and this will shed more light on the government’s direction for childminders and other elements of the two year old offer.
I guess they are holding back a little until this is confirmed.
We don’t know when it will be published – but the DfE know it is important to release it ASAP.
Our best guess is it will be published this summer.
But this depends on Govt. policy and the outcomes of consultations – which I am sure you realise, are subject to changes at the moment following the recent withdrawal of ratio proposals

My best advice remains for you to maintain contact with (your LA ) and continue to express your interest in providing two year old places for your LA. It is their decision what they do and who and how they fund. But reports like this may help you to win the argument sooner rather than later.'' (end)


His email was received a few days before the DfE's...the 2 confirm what is happening...some joined up thinking there
Yes LAs are waiting but they also know changes are coming and judging by the fact they have attended those meetings a few times they cannot say they are in the dark....keep asking for information and be patient , I know it is hard to be kept dangling