This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Interim Senior EYFS Advisory Teacher, Karen Loft on behalf of the DfE. This is for the attention of all Early Years settings.
You will be aware that the Chancellor delivered his Budget and the outcome of the Spending Review yesterday. The spending review settlement provides all children with the best start in life through high-quality education, childcare and family services, raising standards and helping parents to work.
The settlement continues to support the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people through high quality education and local services, so that no one is left behind.
You can read the full publication at Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021: A Stronger Economy for the British People, the Department for Education information is on page 96 (section 4.10 onwards). We wanted to draw your attention to the following key announcements:
- We are investing additional funding for the early years entitlements worth £160m in 2022-23, £180m in 2023-24 and £170m in 2024-25. This is for local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers for the government’s free childcare entitlement offers and reflects the costs of inflation and national living wage increases.
- £18 million in 2024-25 to create a network of family hubs to improve access to services for families, and £20 million in 2024-25 for parenting support.
- Over £200 million a year for the continuation of the holiday activities and food programme, providing enriching activities and healthy meals for disadvantaged children during school holidays. Information on the current programme (HAF 2021) is available here.