And the series of changes planned do go some way to meeting the concernsof the private and voluntary sector that the current system isthreatening their sustainability. Nursery World has reported extensivelysince last September on the protests that started in Kent and spreadnationwide as the ban on top-up fees and the inequities in funding tooktheir toll on nursery finances.
Now, plans include a single formula for funding in each local authority,a child count based on take-up, and representation on Schools Forums forPVI providers. However, although the decision has been taken swiftly,implementation will not be so quick. Nursery education funding for thenext three years will be based on guidance rather than requirement. Therequirement for a single formula only arrives in 2010-11, which couldleave many nurseries and pre-schools struggling to survive.
The option of separately identifying early years funding in each localauthority's grant is still 'under consideration'. This is a measure thatcould really help achieve greater transparency and fairness. Let's hopeit gets the thumbs-up sooner rather than later.