For Simona

[tashaleee]

We seem to have two distinct situations...LAs who have been very co-operative and opened up the funding to all cms removing any conditions and those who still say they know nothing and hold on tight to their conditions

Judging by the comments that have resulted from the BBC report (cms not even mentioned of course) it is obvious that LAs are aware but want to keep things for themselves as the consultancy company led by James Hempsall is working with all LAs not just the few

If the scheme flops the DfE can take all the blame


BBC News - Free nursery scheme '55,000 places short'

Simona is it optional for LAs at the moment to choose what to do though? Is it still their choice for September or has it been made regulatory in that we will be on an equal playing field regarding payments (which I wouldnt object to as mine is one of the lowest) and that every childminder can offer it?

[zippy]

[QUOTE="blue bear;1247096"]I've asked three different DO's they all say the same they know nothing. There are no agencies being trialled in our area in September, they do not know what happens to independent childminders, training or the DO. 's own jobs.
One talked about £1000 being charged to childminders who join an agency and a similar annual fee expected for those independent childminders registered with ofsted.


Just what I read here, scared the life out of me, you replied something like you'd heard talk of similar amounts hope it's not true :-(

[Simona]

LAs still have a duty to provide sufficient childcare spaces
This scheme is no different but they are digging their heels in and not allowing cms to do the 2 year old funding which means there could be a shortage
Also the reason why the DfE wants new cms businesses opening up for the next influx of 2 year olds in 2014

Read this article for more details
Conference report: Two-year-old programme is on track | Nursery World

I have met James Hempsall last Friday and we had a long discussion on LAs (especially mine who is not budging from their conditions and prefer to wait for the DfE to issue the guidance)...some he finds very engaging ...others not so!

He will be at the conference on 5th June with the DfE and that is why I have asked for cms comments on their experiences...please do so the longer the list the better
I intend to take all the comments with me to show the different barriers cms are having to climb

(I am copying the comments but WITHOUT revealing any names)

If the LAs won't comply the DfE will remove the conditions for them but I feel it would be better for them to comply now so cms can get an idea of how to plan for September

Funding for 2 year olds opens the door to 3 and 4 and as independent cms this will be a selling point...what remains to be found is how we claim the funding but that will be announced by the DfE I am sure
I will make sure I get that question answered

Funding for 2 year olds is different to that of 3and 4 and that will be reviewed (see consultation on LAs changing role)

This is the conference I am going to...if you have any questions I will take them with me!
Delivering Free Pre-School Education: Extending the 2-year Old Offer (London)

[Simona]

Has any other LA opened the funding to cms from September or are there still barriers?
I am still collecting evidence from cms which I will present to the DfE at the conference on 5 June

As said before your name will not be revealed..all I am collecting is evidence of practice from LAs and what barriers are still in place.
It looks like some LAs are clearly getting the message while others still waiting for DfE guidance...I think that it is clear what the DfE wants so why some LAs insist on more guidance beats me?

[christine e]

I'm in Nottinghamshire and I am not part of a network. At the start of the summer term I started with a funded 2 year old - all good and outstanding childminders can access the funded 2 year old places but at the moment childminders need to be accredited to access the funded places for 3 and 4 year olds but this might be changing.

[winstonian]

I am in Derby City. Someone from the council has just been out to assess my learning journeys and has recommended me to be able to offer funded places for 2,3 and 4 year olds. It went before the committee and they approved it. I am graded good and didnt need to do anything else. At present I am full and have no one using the funded spaces but we all know how quickly these things can change so I thought I may as well go for it.

[Simona]

The conference on the 2 yo funding is tomorrow...link below if you want to take a look at the agenda
Has any cms got any good news on inclusion for the funding or still no idea?
Please let me know ...I will be printing cms responses today at lunchtime and take with me tomorrow

I am still waiting for a reply from my LA but have plenty of emails with evidence of their barriers to cms in my area

If you want your views heard let me know

[Mcgons]

Has any other LA opened the funding to cms from September or are there still barriers?
I am still collecting evidence from cms which I will present to the DfE at the conference on 5 June

As said before your name will not be revealed..all I am collecting is evidence of practice from LAs and what barriers are still in place.
It looks like some LAs are clearly getting the message while others still waiting for DfE guidance...I think that it is clear what the DfE wants so why some LAs insist on more guidance beats me?

I've only just had chance to catch up with this forum so a few days late replying on this thread, but I've been able to have funding from my LA (Lancs) for 2 year olds over the last year as they have been piloting it but I personally haven't had any children for this. The rate is higher than 3/4 FEYE but not sure how much. Have been at a meeting this week and from Sept the funding is open to all childminders I think, graded good or outstanding, and there is also extra funding as in a lump sum of money to enable providers in certain areas to be able to open up spaces that are needed. It can be for resources/equipment or staffing/training etc. I am a cm in an area they need spaces so will get priority for this. I can apply for funding before end of June and again beginning of Oct. For me it would mean taking on an assistant as all my spaces are filled so having to think about it and also need to read through the stack of papers I was given.

Sorry if I'm missing another thread, I'll try and keep up a bit more! I'm at a LA meeting in a couple of weeks as a support cm, so will be trying to find out as much as poss from them regarding agencies as my network coordinator thought a couple of months ago that our networks were stopping.

[Simona]

No problem...keep asking your LAs they now know they have to allow cms to draw the funding...DfE clear on that!

[karen m]

Am not on network but a. Couple of friends are and from what they can gather it is still upto the LA , this is Runcorn/ Widnes .

[tashaleee]

Has any other LA opened the funding to cms from September or are there still barriers?
I am still collecting evidence from cms which I will present to the DfE at the conference on 5 June

As said before your name will not be revealed..all I am collecting is evidence of practice from LAs and what barriers are still in place.
It looks like some LAs are clearly getting the message while others still waiting for DfE guidance...I think that it is clear what the DfE wants so why some LAs insist on more guidance beats me?

Simona my LA (as of yesterday) are STILL refusing to acknowledge this and are stating that they havent been told anything official so nothing changes for our area in September...

Is there any official documentation out there I can send on to my LA?

[Simona]

Yes there have been a few articles in addition to the 'Achieving 2 year olds' conference on 6 June for LAs which Truss addressed and, I understand, LAs now have no reason to doubt that cms must be included

My LA is still awaiting confirmation but they have had it now

Childminders deemed key to two-year-old offer | Children & Young People Now

Hope this helps...also if you look at the thread 'Feedback from the 2 year old conference' (in Petitions and Campaigns) there is the official statement by pacey, who attended the conference and heard Truss say clearly cms must be included

Good luck