School Funding Consultation

Early years settings have until the 25th of May to respond to a government consultation regarding reforms to the school funding system for pupils aged 3 to 16. The consultation will encompass all free early education (including that which is provided by private, voluntary and maintained settings).

The government are seeking feedback from the school system at large including early years settings. They are particularly interested to gather opinions on the implementation of the Early Years Single Funding Formula and how it might be improved. They would also like respondents to consider how much flexibity should be given to councils to allocate funding at local level and how the total funding for the free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds outside of school settings and the early years in general should be identified within the total budget for the whole school system.

Details of how to take part in the consultation can be found at www.education.gov.uk/consultations (until May the 25th). Responses will be discussed in a second consultation which will be produced during the summer.