The Department for Education’s new proposed ‘fair funding formula’ for the extension of the funded hours for children from nine months old has been put out for consultation.
A consultation on a new proposed ‘fair funding formula’ for the extension of the funded hours for children from nine months old, has been launched by the Department for Education (DfE) today (21 July 2023).
As part of the consultation, illustrative local authority hourly funding rates for two-year-olds and under twos have been set out so that local authorities and childcare providers can see what the proposals will mean for them.
The DfE said the increase in funding announced by the Chancellor at Spring Budget has allowed the expected average rate paid to local authorities for 2024/25 to be set at £8.17 for two-year-olds and £11.06 for under twos. This makes the Government rate for under twos ‘almost double’ the average hourly fee of £5.68 charged to parents the DfE said.
