Issue - meetings

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Cabinet Member to pay early years providers additional funding in the form of a one off grant in order to support the sustainability of the market. This would apply to providers who offered funded early years provision for two, three and four years old during the first national coronavirus lockdown.

Recommendations

 It is recommended that the Cabinet Member:

1.    Approves the grant values as set out in section 4.3 to be paid in the autumn term 2020.

2.    Notes that a further review of the Dedicated Schools Grant  Early Years block funding and expenditure will be undertaken in quarter four of the 2020-21 financial year, in relation to a potential further  grant payment in the spring term 2021 as set out in section 8.2.

The report was introduced by Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director of Children, Families and Education.

Councillor Horton recognised how difficult it has been for early years settings and that this grant will provide a little bit of a boost and will be very welcome. Councillor Horton also expressed that if after quarter four there is an opportunity to provide another boost to early year's providers then it would have her support.

Councillor Smith added that it was imperative that the sector is kept going and fully supported the additional funding that was being proposed.

DECISIONS: The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education:

1. Approved the grant values as set out in section 4.3 to be paid in the autumn term 2020.

2. Noted that a further review of the Dedicated Schools Grant Early Years block funding and expenditure will be undertaken in quarter four of the 2020-21 financial year, in relation to a potential further grant payment in the spring term 2021 as set out in section 8.2.