Councils to test formula for childcare

A FORMULA for funding nursery care is to be tested in three education authorities in the region before being introduced nationally next year.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2010, 10:15 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2010, 10:16 BST

The East Riding, Sheffield and North Lincolnshire will be among the first of 56 councils to use the "early years single funding formula" (EYSFF).

This system tries to ensure that education authorities can provide 15 rather than 122 hours a week of free childcare for three and four-year-olds.

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Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo said yesterday: "The EYSFF will enable local authorities to better manage and plan childcare provision to benefit families across their area.

"Many local authorities are doing excellent work with early years providers to prepare for the new formula, and I'm really pleased that a third of local authorities are ready to implement from 2010.

"The new formula is not designed to disadvantage maintained nurseries or to enable private nurseries to make large profits."

She added: "Local authorities have a duty to ensure that provision in their area meets the needs of families and we will continue to support local authorities who may need extra help."

Related topics:East RidingNorth LincolnshireSheffield