Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 11, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet) I Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby approve:   The implementation of the new Early Years National Funding Formula allocations for Early Years providers as set out below:   1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026   o   Base rate for 9 month to 2 year olds of £10:49 per hour (an increase of £0.49p) o   Base rate for 2 year old funding of £7.70 per hour (increase of £0.35p) o   Disadvantaged two year old supplement of £0.53p per hour (increase of £0.03p) o   Base rate for 3&4 year old funding to £5.00 per hour (increase of £0.17p) o   Deprivation supplement for 3&4 year olds an increase of £0.02p per hour for banding 2-6.    BAND   Deprivation Supplement by Band (based on IDAC) 1 0% - 25%                     £0.00 2 25% - 30% £0.12 3 30% - 40% £0.14 4 40% - 50% £0.18 5 50% - 60% £0.21 6 60% - 100% £0.24   o   Quality QTS supplement for 3&4 year olds an increase to £0.40p per hour (increase of £0.10p) The Reasons are: To enable Salford City Council to fulfil its duty to support the delivery of Funded Early Years provision across the City.  Options considered and rejected were: Not applicable Assessment of Risk: Low Risk The source of funding is: Dedicated Schools Grant – Early Years (DSG-EY)   Legal Advice obtained:  Not applicable Financial Advice: Supplied by Beth Mitchell (Senior Accountant) Under-2-year-old funding The full pass out of £0.49 for under-2-year old funding is not expected to cause any issues, the costs of administration etc will be covered by the retained balance of allocation while still reaching the required 96% pass out rate.  The Under-2-year-old funding will be closely monitored throughout the year along with the Early Years DSG budget as a whole.   2-year-old funding The increase of £0.35 to the base rate and increase of the £0.03 to the supplement allows a 97% pass out rate whilst the costs of administration etc will be covered by the current balance per hour.  The 2-year-old funding will be closely monitored throughout the year along with the budget.   3&4-year-old funding A £0.17 increase to the base rate, an increase of £0.02 to each supplement, alongside the £0.10 increase to QTS allows for a 97% pass out rate to providers . The retained 3% will cover the costs of administration of the service. The fluctuations of rates and hours across the providers will be closely monitored throughout the year to ensure all nurseries receive the funds due and that the budget is managed sufficiently.   Procurement Advice: Not applicable HR Advice: Not applicable Climate Change Advice: Not applicable   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: Cabinet report - Early Years National Funding Formula Allocations for:- 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026   Contact Officer: David Fielding                          Telephone number: 0161 778 0707   The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Childrens Scrutiny Panel          Signed:         Paul Dennett                      Dated:                17.02.25                   .                         City Mayor   For Democratic Services use only   This decision was published on  17.02.25                                            This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 24.02.25                                                   unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.