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Early Years and Childcare Special Newsletter
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Monday 23 December 2024
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the second stage of the payment schedules consultation. The survey was open from 22 October 2024 and closed on 8 December 2024.
The survey results are now available in the report. It includes a breakdown of the responses to all questions, a summary of our conclusions, and what happens next.
To summarise our conclusions:
- 29% of providers would prefer to receive payments monthly. This option is most popular with childminders, with 38% choosing monthly payments. It is also preferred by 28% of day nurseries and 12% of pre-schools. Therefore, we will proceed with making monthly payments an option for providers.
- Most providers expressed a preference for the 70/30 split between estimates and actuals to remain unchanged. We will not pursue any amendments to this split.
What happens next?
- The Early Years Funding Team will finalise the process for both payment options. Guidance documents and tools will be created to help providers select their payment option. We do not anticipate any changes to how you claim; only timeframes for when this will happen.
- Once the above step is complete, a pilot group of providers will be invited to receive monthly payments. During this time, we will ensure our processes and guidance documents are as effective as possible.
- Some providers have already volunteered for the pilot group (as part of the first stage of the consultation). We aim to contact a number of these providers in the spring term to invite them to participate.
The way West Sussex maintained nursery schools and nursery classes are paid will not change.
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