1. Consultation: Revising the Code of Practice on provision of the Free Entitlement Jennifer Robson Team Leader, Free Entitlement Team DCSF

2. The Consultation Process

3. WHY are we consulting?  From September 2010, the free entitlement will rise from 12.5 to 15 hours a week, to be delivered more flexibly.  We need to revise statutory guidance (the Code of Practice for local authorities) which reflects this. BUT, that’s not the only reason…..  We want to explore how revised guidance might support future ambitions around delivery of the free entitlement.  We want to harness the innovation and best practice from our pathfinder local authorities, and others.  We want to set clear expectations around how local authorities and providers work together to deliver a truly flexible offer.  We want to explore the opportunities of the free entitlement for driving quality improvement and be at the forefront of delivering EYFS.

4. WHEN are we consulting?  From 13 th May to 8 th July – an initial 8 week period.  In the autumn – a formal 12 week consultation. WHY are you having a 2-stage process?  We want to ensure maximum opportunity for providers, local authorities and others to contribute their views.  Responses to phase 1 will inform revisions to guidance and also the impact assessment.  Providers and local authorities have told us they value this opportunity to be engaged throughout the process and feel truly consulted.

5. HOW are we consulting? Phase 1 – now until 8 th July  A discussion paper which forms the first stage of a consultation process to inform revisions to statutory guidance to local authorities on the provision of the free entitlement for 3 and year olds.  The paper is about the way in which we and our delivery partners will deliver on the commitment to an extended free offer of early learning and childcare.  We want you to contribute views on how best to deliver the extended entitlement in a way which will maximise its value in terms of improving outcomes for children and their families  The discussion paper draws on helpful evidence provided by those local authorities and providers already acting as pathfinders for the extended entitlement, and those piloting the single funding formula. Phase 2 – in the autumn  We will publish a draft revised Code of Practice, which will be informed by responses to the discussion paper.  At the same time we will also publish draft regulations on the flexible extension and a full impact assessment.

6. WHO are we consulting? Local authorities Private, Voluntary and Independent providers Maintained sector providers. Childminders Parents/carers. Others, i.e. Child development experts and academics. All of YOU!

7. The Discussion Paper

8. Themes for consultation  The Extended Free Entitlement  Securing Quality  The Future of the Free Entitlement – ‘Stretching’ the offer over more than 38 weeks  Evidence Gathering and Best Practice

9. Headline Messages (1) The Extended Free Entitlement  The “Flexibility Framework” and National Parameters  Determining a local offer to parents, in consultation with providers  Use of ‘provider agreements’ and the Single Funding Formula to secure a flexible offer  Approaches to Childminder networks:  delivering flexibility  enabling them to draw down funding for the free entitlement  enhancing personal development and quality of provision overall  ensuring a level playing field.

10. Flexibility Framework Weekly Entitlement15 hours, over a min 3 days Length of offerA minimum 38 weeks Minimum session length 2 hours Maximum session length 10 hours Number of providers Maximum 2 Times of day for Free Entitlement Between 8am and 6pm

11. Headline Messages (2) Securing Quality  Free Entitlement should be leading the way in quality standards for early years provision  Role of provider agreements and Single Funding Formula to drive up quality.  Supporting LAs to support the best quality provision and drive up quality in their local market, but balancing this with the need to maintain a diverse and thriving market.  Looking at encouraging childminders who wish to deliver the free entitlement to have a level 3 qualification  Considering how new guidance can be used to support professional development as well as setting pre-requisites that LAs must consider about skills/qualifications childminders should have to deliver the free entitlement

12. Headline Messages (3) The Future of the Free Entitlement: stretching the offer  Supporting parents to work, train and budget across more than 38 weeks of the year  Fewer hours over more weeks of the year, i.e., Just under 12 hours a week for 48 weeks.  Balancing parental demand with capacity to deliver. Evidence Gathering and Best Practice  Experiences of working in partnership; implementing flexibility; using provider agreements; operating a childminder network; driving quality improvement.

13. Key Questions – Childminders  Do you agree that all LAs should be required to establish childminder networks, to enable childminders to deliver the free entitlement?  And do you think this strikes the right balance between ensuring flexibility and a level playing field, with the need to deliver high quality provision?  Do you think that the Code should encourage LAs to fund childminders to deliver the entitlement only where they have a level 3 qualification?  What do you think the impact of this would be on flexibility, quality and sufficiency of free entitlement provision?

14. Evidence Gathering - Childminders  Tell us about your local childminder network: the model you use; how you established it; the proportion of childminders in your area who belong to it; and whether it is open to all childminders.  If you have not established a network, tell us why. Other areas:  Working in partnership to deliver a flexible offer  Criteria for quality improvement  Use of local provider agreements

15. For discussion – Childminders Discussion groups to consider top 2 Challenges and Opportunities of each key question: 1)Requiring all LAs to establish a childminder network 2)Balancing: flexibility, levelling the playing field between providers, and quality 3)LAs funding only childminders with a level 3 to deliver the free entitlement Evidence Gathering  Tell us about your network

16. How to respond  Consultation available at www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations  Queries on content of consultation to Pathfinder.Mailbox@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk  Responses to be received by 8 th July 2009.