麻花影视

Lengthy negotiations between the DfE and York City Council have resulted in an increased flat rate of 拢4 per hour for providers taking part in the 30-hours free childcare scheme being piloted in September this year.

 

The government had of 拢3.38 and 拢3.95 for the first and second 15 hours respectively; figures which saw earlier this month.

 

The DfE has now confirmed that providers will receive 拢4 per hour across the entire 30-hours for all eligible three-and four-year-olds.

 

Neil Leitch, chief executive at the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said that he welcomes the fact that the government has listened to providers in York.

 

鈥淐lear and honest dialogue between providers and the Department for Education will be vital to the success of the extended scheme, and so, in this regard, this is positive news,鈥� Neil said.

 

However, he criticised the DfE鈥檚 initial proposal saying that the reason behind the offering still remains unclear, and raises questions about the department鈥檚 overall understanding of the childcare market.

 

鈥淎ny scheme of this size and importance must be both well-planned and well-executed if it is to succeed 鈥� a 鈥榤aking it up as we go along鈥� approach simply isn鈥檛 good enough,鈥� Neil said.

 

鈥淲e hope that the situation in York has highlighted to government the value of listening to providers on the frontline and that it will look to work with the sector more closely going forward to ensure that the scheme has the best possible chance of success in the long term.鈥�

 

While the increase may be good news for the 30-hours pilot, those providers that are taking on children who are only eligible for the existing 15-hours will not see a funding increase.

 

They will continue to receive the existing hourly rate of 拢3.38, which has been frozen for the past four years.

 

鈥淭his completely contradicts the DfE鈥檚 promise to address historic underfunding issues, and will put those providers whose families don鈥檛 meet the wage criteria for the extended offer at a significant disadvantage,鈥� Neil said.

 

鈥淪uch an approach is unacceptable and we urge the department to reconsider this approach ahead of full roll-out next year.鈥�