MPs Theresa Villiers and Mike Freer have helped secure a £60m funding boost for maintained nursery schools (MNS), and a promise by Ministers that reform is underway which could open the way for Barnet schools to be included in a long term settlement for this part of our education system.
Since changes were introduced in 2016 in the way Early Years education is funded, state sector maintained nursery schools have experienced serious financial difficulties. Schools such as BEYA and Moss Hall in Barnet have had an even tougher time because they have been excluded from the transitional funding which has been provided to other maintained nursery schools to tide them over until a long term solution is found.
In advance of the recent spending review, Theresa and Mike were pushing strongly for help for local maintained nursery schools.
In a response to an urgent written Parliamentary question tabled by Theresa, Early Years Minister, Vicki Ford, revealed publicly for the first time that an award of £60 for the maintained sector was included the spending review.
In her reply, Minister Ford said: “This Government remains committed to the long-term funding of MNS, and any reform to the way they are funded will be accompanied by appropriate funding protections.
“The department continues to consider what is required to ensure a clear, long-term picture of funding for all MNS, including those in Barnet. We will say more about this soon."
Theresa also spoke to Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson earlier this week who indicated that the Department for Education were working on reform of the way funding for maintained nurseries is allocated between different areas.
“This are encouraging replies from the Minister and the Secretary of State, confirming transitional funding for MNS for the next year. Crucially, we now know Ministers are actively working on reform which could enable our local schools to be included in both the transitional and long term funding for maintained nursery schools,” said Theresa.
“Transitional funding has provided a vital lifeline for the sector across the country and it has been a continuing source of frustration that none of it has been given to nurseries in Barnet, who remain in a very difficult financial position as a result.
"However, a long-term settlement and a new role for this important educational resource is what is needed to secure its future and I will keep up the pressure on the Department for Education to deliver this.”
Theresa has long campaigned for maintained nursery schools to receive better funding, reflecting their role as centres of excellence in Early Years education and the vital work they do with vulnerable and SEND children.
She is vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Nursery Schools, Nursery & Reception Classes and the group wrote to the Chancellor asking for funding before the spending review.
