Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nursery School Funding

Monday 18 January 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial funding for nursery schools has been increased to cover costs related to the national living wage uplift.
  • Maintained nursery schools are receiving supplemental funding for the next financial year.
  • Uplift for Government-paid entitlements for two, three, and four-year-olds will also benefit maintained nursery schools.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Children & Families
Context

The MP noted that nursery schools in his constituency are facing financial pressures due to the pandemic and are not receiving the same support as other educational institutions. He highlighted the importance of these nurseries in providing early education and supporting working families.

Question

If he will increase funding for nursery schools to meet costs resulting from the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer from Vicky Ford

We have already increased hourly funding rates for local authorities, which will provide a rate increase higher than the cost nurseries may face from the national living wage uplift. The minimum funding floor is also being increased, and further advice on how the census will work this year has been provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an increase in funding to meet pandemic-related costs was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Children & Families
Context

The MP highlighted that despite the crucial role of maintained nursery schools in his constituency, they face significant financial pressures due to the pandemic and lack support comparable to other educational institutions. He urged the government to honour their promise by providing a guaranteed future through consistent funding.

Question

Maintained nursery schools in my constituency not only provide first-class early education but support many working families with childcare, yet many are facing huge financial pressures because of the pandemic, because they are not able to access the same support as schools and businesses. When will the Government live up to their promise of giving them a long-term future by guaranteeing their funding?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Maintained nursery schools receive extra supplemental funding, and we have already announced that they will get this supplemental funding for the next financial year. They will also benefit from an uplift for Government-paid entitlements for two, three, and four-year-olds.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a long-term funding commitment was not directly addressed with a concrete timeline or future guarantee.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)