NBBubbles

I have been caught out on the term dates before too! I emailed the advisers at Surrey to ask for next year's funded periods a few weeks ago, but I was told that this was "with the commissioners" and settings would be advised by the bulletin. Seems very late, as parents/staff need to know our term dates for next year.

Surrey have said that we cannot claim funding for children that have chosen to remain at home from the start of the spring term, until such time that they return. In our area the infection rates are extremely high, and we believe the families that have chosen to keep their pre-school age child at home (rather than the family leaving home to come into the community with older school age children in tow to come to Pre-school) are making an informed, balanced decision. Yet we are being penalised as we cannot claim funding for the child as expected, leaving us with a huge shortfall in income. If other local authorities can continue to fund their settings, why can’t Surrey? We just feel very anxious and unsupported at the moment and morale is at an all time low.

Yes as early years staff have an invisible magical cloak of protection around them from the virus. And obviously the virus cannot be transmitted by early years children, only those in primary or secondary schools.

I think it could be the HMRC reference number you use when you re-claim gift aid, my one has two letters and five numbers?

Our local authority has confirmed that under the current government guidelines, the early years funding will not be reclaimed if we chose not to re-open, or if we only open for a limited number of children each day! Thought this may be useful information for you all!