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NDNA/ DfE Q&A on national funding formula

Funding Management
Department of Education officials are set to be grilled by the sector during two consultation events on the proposed new national funding formula.

Childcare providers are invited to the NDNA-run sessions being held in London and at the association’s headquarters in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

A series of seven events kicks off with the NDNA’s AGM on September 14, and among the speakers will be Jessie Hamshar, the DfE’s deputy director of early years entitlement and affordability.

Alan Krikorian from the department’s early years funding team will be in the hot seat the following week.

Sharing their experiences will also be the nurseries and local authorities taking part in the 30 hours pilots which started this month.

In addition, a representative from HM Revenue and Customs is due to present an ‘essential tax-free childcare’ update to delegates.

A senior representative from Citation Professional Services is also due to speak about staff recruitment and retention in a tough market. 

 The event details for England are as follows:

·         14 September, AGM at NDNA head office in Huddersfield

·         21 September, South West (Bournemouth)

·         22 September, London (Central)

·         12 October, South East (Hove)

·         13 October, East England (Ely)

A further two events, in Scotland and Wales, are on the following dates:

·         27 October, Scotland (Glasgow)

·         16 November, Wales (Wrexham)

Scotland’s childcare minister Mark McDonald will be discussing the Scottish Government’s plans for early years, including the expansion of early learning and childcare.

Christie & Co are due to give the property lowdown on the sector.

In Wrexham, the agenda includes a presentation from Donna Davies of CSSIW and Welsh Government update from Elin Gwynedd, head of policy development and implementation.

A further series of events in the north of England are to be confirmed on dates in the spring.

Both members and non-members may attend all events, which run from around 12.30pm until 4.30pm.

They are free to NDNA members and non-members will be charged a £36 fee and all are available on a first come first served basis. 

To book a place, contact the NDNA membership team on bookings@ndna.org.uk or call 01484 407070.