Funding for the early years entitlement is underpinned by the School and Early Years Finance Regulations. Local authorities receive funding from central Government to deliver the early years entitlements through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), which also includes the budgets for schools and high needs. The current regulations do not require local authorities to pass on all early years funding to their providers. Local authorities, in consultation with their Schools Forum, are responsible for deciding how best to distribute the funding across their locality. The current regulations do allow local authorities to hold back some funding from the DSG for central services.<\/p>
<\/p>
However, when the two year old entitlement was introduced there was an expectation for local authorities to pass all available funding to providers for delivering two year old places.<\/p>
<\/p>
Under the early years funding reform proposals on which we recently consulted, there will be a requirement for local authorities to pass on at least 93% (in 2017-18) and 95% (thereafter) of their early years budget directly to providers for delivering the three and four year old entitlement. We are currently considering responses to the consultation.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-08T15:19:22.267Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether county councils are required to pass on to registered and approved providers 100 per cent of government funding allocated for childcare.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} ], "uin" : "HL2939"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627565", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627565/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is investing £1 billion of additional funding per year in the early years free entitlements, including £300 million per year to increase the national average funding rate. We are determined to allocate this record investment fairly and transparently and that is why we have consulted on an Early Years National Funding Formula, which will determine the funding rates of all local authorities, including North Yorkshire. This consultation has now closed and we will respond in the Autumn.<\/p>
<\/p>
The consultation included a proposal to require all local authorities to use a universal base rate for all providers from 2019-20 at the latest. This approach will ensure that no child is disadvantaged, in terms of the funding available to support their early education, by the type of childcare setting which they attend.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-10T12:36:45.18Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government why North Yorkshire County Council receives the sixth lowest allowance for childcare providers amongst 160 county councils; and what plans there are to develop a \"more level playing field\" for providers as set out in the Department for Education consultation Early years funding: changes to funding for 3 and 4 year olds<\/i>.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} ], "uin" : "HL2940"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627566", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627566/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This Government is investing £1 billion of additional funding per year in the early years free entitlements, including £300 million per year to increase the national average funding rate. This record level of investment was based on a rich source of evidence \u2013 the \u2018Review of Childcare Costs\u2019 which looked at both the current costs of childcare provision and the implications of future cost pressures facing the sector (including the National Living Wage). Copies of the Analytical Report and the Executive Summary are attached.<\/p>
We are determined that the maximum amount of this record level of investment reaches childcare providers. That is why, as part of our recent consultation \u2018Early years funding: changes to funding for 3- and 4-year-olds\u2019, we proposed that local authorities pass through 95% of their allocated funding to the frontline. Providers will then have the funding and increased choice in how to invest in the quality of their offer, including how to invest in their workforce.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "attachment" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627566/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Review of childcare costs - the analytical report.pdf"} , "title" : "Analytical report of the review of childcare costs"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627566/answer/attachment/2", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Review of childcare costs - Exec Summary of analytical report.pdf"} , "title" : "Executive summary of the review of childcare costs"} ], "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-14T11:28:29.427Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what additional funding they plan to provide to compensate childcare providers for increased costs as a result of proposed increases in training requirements applicable to childcare providers and in the National Minimum Wage.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} ], "uin" : "HL2941"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627567", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/627567/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is making a record-level of investment in early years to ensure that childcare providers receive sufficient funding to deliver the 30-hour entitlement. This includes increasing spending on the free entitlements by over £1 billion per year by 2019-20 and providing £300 million per year from 2017-18 for a significant increase to the rate paid for the two, three- and four-year-old entitlements.<\/p>
<\/p>
We believe that the childcare market will respond to meet the additional demand for places generated by the extension of the free entitlement. The market has already demonstrated that it is able to respond through the roll-out of the entitlement for disadvantaged two-year-olds introduced in the last Parliament. In January 2016, over 166,000 two-year-olds benefitted from the funded early education, with over 20,000 providers delivering it.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4270", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Nash"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Nash"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-08T15:23:08.54Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, should childcare providers be unable to meet the costs of providing the 30 hours free OFSTED-approved childcare service from September 2017, what plans there are to ensure that alternative services are available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4151", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Willis of Knaresborough"} ], "uin" : "HL2942"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622032", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622032/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As promised, in September 2016, the Government launched 30 hours free childcare through eight Early Implementers one year in advance of full implementation of the offer from September 2017. Up to 5,000 working families will benefit in our eight Early Implementers areas. The Early Implementers are testing the delivery of the 30 hours free childcare offer, and providing valuable learning by developing a number of approaches. This includes supporting the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and developing flexible models to meet the needs of working parents.<\/p>
<\/p>
In York, where there are no limits on the number of families who can benefit, around 83% of eligible families are already receiving 30 hours free childcare, just 6 weeks after the launch \u200eof early implementation.<\/p>
<\/p>
The department has commissioned an independent evaluation of early implementation of the 30 hours free childcare offer. The evaluation is focusing on generating learning that can be used by Early Implementers and all local authorities ahead of national rollout in September 2017. There will be a national findings event in the spring next year, and a formal evaluation report will be published in July 2017.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "50514"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-02T17:21:17.067Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent evaluation she has made of the capacity of childcare providers to provide 30 hours of free childcare from the eight pilot schemes that are piloting the new childcare entitlement; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4518", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tulip Siddiq"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hampstead and Kilburn"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tulip Siddiq"} ], "uin" : "50513"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622033", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622033/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Data from local authority planned spend for 2016-17 is publically available and includes their planned central expenditure for central services and contingency. The data is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure-2016-to-2017-financial-year<\/a><\/p> <\/p> This data is as reported by the local authorities.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-01T13:03:10.107Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of funding from her Department for free childcare is retained by each local authority for central services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4518", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tulip Siddiq"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hampstead and Kilburn"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tulip Siddiq"}
], "uin" : "50597"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622034", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622034/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We are currently considering all responses to our recent consultation on proposals for a national funding formula for the early years. These proposals will ensure that funding for the early years is based on the costs of meeting the needs of local children, not on historic spending patterns.<\/p> <\/p> As we implement our proposals, which will be set out in the government\u2019s response to the consultation in the autumn, we will closely monitor and review the impact to ensure that local authorities and providers are able to deliver the childcare entitlements in a sustainable way.<\/p> <\/p> We have also recently appointed Childcare Works as a delivery contractor to work with, and to monitor, local authorities on their preparedness for delivery of the 30-hours offer of free childcare for working parents.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-03T15:40:45.883Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what mechanisms her Department has for ensuring that local authorities manage their childcare funding effectively.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4518", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tulip Siddiq"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hampstead and Kilburn"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tulip Siddiq"}
], "uin" : "50574"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622035", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622035/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that providers deliver government-funded early education places free of charge, and that parents are not required to pay for additional services or consumables as a condition of accessing a place. The Government does not require local authorities to report breaches of this requirement centrally; however it has clearly set out local authorities\u2019 responsibility for ensuring there are no compulsory charges for parents.<\/p> <\/p> The 2014 Statutory Guidance states that, in relation to delivery of the early education entitlements for two-, three- and four-year-olds, local authorities should ensure that if providers charge for any goods or services, this is not a condition of children accessing their place. The Statutory Guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/298754/2014_Draft_Statutory_Guidance.pdf<\/a><\/p> <\/p> We reinforced this position in the consultation on reforms to Early Years Funding which was published on 11 August. This makes clear that providers are free to charge parents for consumables (such as drinks, meals and nappies) or additional services (such as baby yoga, music lessons and trips) provided they are not compulsory. \u2018So, for example, paying for additional services must not be a condition of taking up a free publicly-funded place\u2019. The consultation document is available at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/eynff<\/a><\/p> <\/p> We will publish updated Statutory Guidance in early 2017, which will restate the Government position on providers charging for additional services or consumables. We have consulted on draft updated Statutory Guidance which is available at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/childcare-free-entitlement/supporting_documents/STAT%20GUIDANCE%20latest.pdf<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "50573"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-11-01T13:06:36.733Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Day Care"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many childcare providers have breached her Department's statutory guidance issued in September 2014 that states that providers which charge for goods or services do not make this a condition of children accessing their place.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4518", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tulip Siddiq"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hampstead and Kilburn"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tulip Siddiq"}
], "uin" : "50563"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622036", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/622036/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "