Developing two year funding in Richmond.

Where are we now? Current scheme has approximately 100 places available for children in term after 2 nd Birthday. Current scheme for 2 year olds pays at £6.07 per hour, 10 hours a week, 38 weeks a year. When the child is 3 the NEG rate is £3.48 per hour 15 hours a week 38 weeks a year.

Where are we now? Government have decided that the scheme will be expanded to reach the most vulnerable 40% of children nationally by September Target for September 2013 is most vulnerable 20% (approx 250 places in Richmond) There will also be an increase in entitlement to 15 hrs per child.

What does the research say? Research evidence indicates that children progress best if placed in high quality settings where consistent care is given. We would therefore seek to work with settings to provided this quality for children and ensure that as much as possible children can remain in the same high quality settings.

Moving forward some options? Some authorities are building classes for 2 year olds on school sites. We are not convinced that this is the best model for Richmond as we have a history of partnership with our private and voluntary sector. We are concerned that if 40% of 2 year olds enter maintained settings there will be a loss of numbers of children in the PVI sector and they wont return at 3 and 4 years.

Some questions for discussion? What would settings need to support more vulnerable/ placed children from the age of 2 years? What are the barriers to this happening? What solutions would you like to see to these barriers? How many places are there actually in each setting for children aged 2 years?

Next Steps?