There is a consistent and growing body of research evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of nursery school provision and good outcomes for children. Ofsted reports conclude that maintained nursery schools are highly effective settings.
Local authorities utilise the resource that maintained nursery schools provide. Heavily engaged by private, voluntary and independent early learning and childcare settings as models of best practice, maintained nursery schools also act as a resource to improve the leadership, pedagogy and practice across the board.
But the implementation of the Single Funding Formula is, as an unintended consequence, threatening the viability of nursery schools to a point where many now fear for their future.
The recent Nursery Schools Now has identified a number of functions that many maintained nursery schools are already engaged in, for the most part informally, that should be instilled more formally. Its recommendations include:
- That local authorities engage maintained nursery schools in their strategic planning, to ensure that their knowledge and expertise is fully utilised in the context of a progressive partnership across the local authority area
- Where 'informal' relationships between local authorities and maintained nursery schools exist, these are formalised and their value is at least recognised and, if appropriate, recompensed
- That local authorities work in partnership with maintained nursery schools to explore the potential in developing full service level agreements to ensure sustainability funding.
It would be a great tragedy if some of the best early years provision in this country was lost to the process of levelling the playing field.
