Early Years Providers Financial Stability 2021-01-18
2021-01-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about financial instability affecting early year's services due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. He highlights the critical need for these services in ensuring continued support and access for children.
I am concerned about the financial stability of early years providers during the covid-19 outbreak. What steps are being taken to ensure that these essential services remain financially viable?
We have given unprecedented support through block-buying childcare places and various schemes such as furlough. We monitor the situation closely and issued advice for census week allowing counting of temporarily absent children if nurseries remain open.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to stabilise finances beyond current support not addressed
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is worried that early years providers in deprived areas are at risk of closure due to the financial strain caused by the coronavirus, which would disproportionately affect disadvantaged children's access to education.
Nurseries and childcare providers in deprived areas are most likely to close as a result of the pandemic. What action will be taken to ensure we do not lose essential childcare places in less well-off communities?
We have given unprecedented support and are keeping the situation under constant review. Last week's advice ensures that providers can count temporarily absent children for this week's census, provided they remain open.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to prevent closures in deprived areas not detailed
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes the staffing shortages in early years settings due to isolation protocols, making it difficult to maintain operations. She seeks funding support to cover temporary staff needs.
With many staff isolating due to the pandemic, what additional funding will be provided for employing surplus staff to mitigate staffing shortages?
We are rolling out asymptomatic testing and prioritising local authority support for community testing. If providers temporarily close due to staffing shortages, they can still count children for this week's census.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific funding for additional staff not mentioned
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP emphasizes the severe financial strain on children's nurseries in disadvantaged regions like east Hull, which have been underfunded for years and are now further impacted by exclusion from pandemic support. He stresses that closures would be catastrophic.
Many nurseries face severe financial difficulty due to long-term underfunding and lack of support during the pandemic. Can we guarantee essential childcare places in less well-off areas like east Hull will not close as a result of covid-19?
We have announced additional funding for early years entitlements, increasing hourly rates based on local disadvantage. This should cover national living wage increases.
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Assessment & feedback
Guarantee against closures in disadvantaged areas not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises current policies that force nurseries to remain open despite public health guidelines, risking closure due to lower demand. She warns that 19,000 providers could close by summer.
Ministers are asking everyone to stay home, yet early years providers are being told to remain open or face financial penalties for reduced attendance during lockdowns. Is this acceptable given the risk of closures?
We are providing clear advice for settings, ensuring they can count children who remain at home out of concern for covid if the setting remains open. Closure allows furloughing staff through government schemes.
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Assessment & feedback
Acceptability of potential closures due to funding changes not addressed
Under Review
Response accuracy