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Information for professionals

Wraparound Childcare Delivery grant

Revenue funding to support providers to expand care that “ wraps around” the school day (Mon-Fri 8am -6pm, term time only) all providers must be signposted by schools. Further information and application: Wraparound care childcare | Gloucestershire County Council.  Schools or the private, voluntary and independent sector can all apply for this funding.

Next applications window opens September as a monthly rolling programme, depending upon demand.

School-based Nursery capital Grant 2027 to 2030

The School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant 2027 to 2030 (phase 3) is a local authority-led delivery model. Local authorities are responsible for developing and submitting multi-year funding proposals that set out plans for creating or expanding SBN provision in their area. These proposals can include projects across state-funded primary schools, maintained nursery schools (MNS), and Best Start Family Hub (BSFH) sites. This is the third phase of the school-based nurseries programme. It builds on the foundations of phase 1 (SBN Capital Grant 2024 to 2025) and phase 2 (SBN Capital Grant 2025 to 2026) and has an increased focus on supporting disadvantaged families to access early years provision.

School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2027 to 2030 - GOV-UK Find a grant

Sufficiency Grant

There is a small amount of revenue funding for providers who are struggling to meet their sufficiency duty and are therefore at risk of not being able to deliver all the places they have capacity for.  Schools or the private, voluntary and independent sector can all apply for this funding.  Please contact, eybusinesssupport@gloucestershire.gov.uk for info/ to apply.  Funding is only guaranteed until March 2027.

Section 106 Funding 

 S106 Funding may be available in specific localities where there are new housing developments. To support the Local Authority to meet its statutory duties to ensure there are sufficient childcare and school places, and where it is identified that this may result in an increase in a need for additional places, there may be some S106 funding allocated to support this need. Schools or the private, voluntary and independent sector can all apply for this funding.  Please contact us via the EY Business support inbox if you require any further information eybusinesssupport@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

 

Early help co-ordinators

Early help coordinators offer advice, guidance and support to practitioners working with children and families around all aspects of using the Graduated Pathway.

Early help coordinators can support practitioners with Team Around the Family meetings, developing plans and assessments and commissioning services to meet children’s needs. Early help coordinators also offer training around the Graduated Pathway of Early Help and Support and more information can be found on Glosfamilies Directory.

Early help coordinators work on a locality basis and can be contacted by using the numbers and email addresses below:

For support and guidance, please contact the Professional Advice line on 01452 427070.  Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Holiday Activity and Food (HAF)

The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department of Education for those in reception to year 11 who receive income-related free school meals.

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Further information regarding the role of the LADO and the allegations management process.

Recruitment links

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Qualification information

Experience-based route for early years staff qualifications

To support early years settings to recruit and retain staff, from 3 March 2025 eligible educators will be able to access an experience-based route to working in the Staff:Child ratios at level 3. This new route recognises the significant contribution that skilled and experienced staff can make to the education and care of young children. This is an opportunity for educators without currently approved qualifications to develop their careers, and for providers to maximise the potential of their talented staff in a way that works best for the children in their care. The full consultation response can be found here.

Experience-based route for early years practitioners - GOV.UK

When using this route, early years providers must follow all requirements included in the Early Years Qualification Requirements and Standards document. Early years qualification requirements and standards

Please note: The experience-based route and this guidance do not yet represent the law, until the related statutory instrument has been made and comes into force, expected on 3 March 2025.

Experience-based route for early years staff - GOV.UK

Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Standard

The DfE have also announced the publication of the Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship standard. This new, graduate-level qualification will give everyone from school leavers and junior staff to senior leaders the opportunity to easily move into a specialist career in the early years sector.

Useful links

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