Early Years Funding Announcement

Department of Education

Ministers to publish details of how funding for free and subsidised nursery places have been calculated by 14th November 2019.

The Early Years Alliance filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act requesting information as to how the Government calculated the Early Years Funding for free and subsidised nursery places. However, the Department for Education (DfE) refused to publish it, stating the information formed part of the development of government policy.

The Information Commissioner has now ruled in favour of early years providers after a long-running dispute with England's DfE over grants. The Early Years Alliance and other groups, claimed that the funding for free places is too low, causes nursery closures and limits availability for parents. The Government must now provide evidence for its claim that funding rates are adequate. The commissioner have ruled that ministers need to publish details of how they calculate Early Years Funding, by the 14th November 2019.  

Full report can be read here; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-50166627

Published: 28th October 2019