April 2017
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
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This seminar brought together policymakers with stakeholders from across the early years sector, as well as local and central government, to discuss key issues for early years education as preparations are made for the extension of free childcare for three and four year-olds from 15 to 30 hours a week to be rolled out nationally from September 2017.
With government confirming that 20% of local authorities will see a decrease in funding, and announcing a minimum hourly rate, in its response to consultation on funding for 3- and 4-year-olds, delegates discussed what the changes will mean and the way forward for the provision of services.
Attendees also examined implementation so far and lessons that could be learnt from the series of pilot schemes which began trialling the extended childcare offer from September 2016 - as well as implications of the Government’s support for 15 hours of free childcare a week for 3-4 year olds and disadvantaged 2 year olds.
There was discussion of ongoing concerns regarding recruitment and retention in the early years workforce following the publication of the Government’s Early Years Workforce Strategy, which announced the abolition of the requirement for Level 3 Early Years Educator staff to hold GCSEs above grade C in maths and English.
Further sessions assessed Ofsted’s plans to bring early years inspections in-house from April 2017, including how this is likely to work in practice and potential implementation issues going forward.
