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NEW: Update on nursery funding this morning

A message from NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman

 

As you know, we have been in ongoing and lengthy talks with the government regarding nursery funding. Those talks continued all day yesterday, and into the evening as well. 

Late last night, the DfE finally issued a statement, which included the following line: 

“While the census count will be the default indicator to determine the funding, there is the capacity to provide top-up funding if necessary, to ensure that providers receive funding for every child that attends.” 

We have been given assurance that this last sentence means that while the DfE has now decided that the technical guidance around how to complete the census (issued last week) remains the same,  this new ‘top-up’ funding will be available to ensure that where census numbers are lower than usual, schools and nurseries will still receive the funding they are entitled to. 

It is immensely frustrating that the official wording from the DfE released to us late last night was not as straightforward as we had been been led to believe it would be. To confirm, our note to members yesterday had been discussed and shared with senior government officials before publication. However, we are assured that the intention of the top-up funding is to ensure that nurseries are protected financially if the census does not present an accurate picture of numbers. 

It is also worth reiterating that, as per the guidance, you should still record on the census any child who is in attendance at your nursery today, or any child whose parents have decided to keep them at home despite a place being available. 

Schools and nurseries will obviously have a clear record of all other children so that the top up funding can be claimed. 

We will share further details about how to claim the top-up funding as soon as we have them.

First published 21 January 2021

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NAHT Life logo

NAHT Life gives you the opportunity to continue your membership of the biggest union for school leaders both in post and in retirement.

 

NAHT Life focuses on helping retired members receive excellent trade union services and allows you to continue to play an active volunteer role within NAHT regions and branches, if that’s what you choose to do!

Please note to qualify for the benefits of NAHT Life membership you must join NAHT life within six months of retiring. 

Please ensure NAHT has your correct post-retirement contact details.

NAHT is currently reviewing, renewing and refreshing its services to support NAHT life member.

The Life Members' Sector Council (LMSC)

Whether leaving a labour of love or embracing a life of leisure, there can be no doubt that retirement from school leadership marks a huge change in lifestyle. There will be adjustments to make, new challenges to take and a range of new opportunities. At a time like this, it is important that our experienced members do not lose all the support they received in their working life. Our life members’ committee is here to ensure members are supported in retirement.

This committee feeds its extensive wealth of experience and know-how to support the work of NAHT. It also gives our life members the chance to make important contributions to our campaigns for working members.  

The committee, which meets four times a year, is made up of one elected representative from each of our regions, with the addition of one place each for Northern Ireland and Wales. And these elected committee members, normally, serve a three-year term.

Areas of focus for the committee include the following: 

  • Current legislation issues eg pension provision
  • Action against discrimination, including age discrimination.
LMSC chair

John Killeen (National Executive member): john.killeen@nahtofficials.org.uk

LMSC vice-chair

Nigel Patton: nigel.patton@nahtofficials.org.uk

LMSC communications officer

Michael Wilson: Michael.wilson@nahtofficials.org.uk

LMSC deputy communications officer

Eugene Symonds: eugene.symonds@nahtofficials.org.uk

Committee servicing officer

Frances Geddes has the responsibility for working closely with the LMSC as servicing officer. She can be contacted via email frances.geddes@naht.org.uk.

For further details and contact information about all current LMSC members please check out ‘Who’s who’ and the ‘List of LMSC members'.
 

See also

Join now - Life Membership 
Life membership FAQs
Life members' sector council
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Pensions advice
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Who's who 


 
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