Prospect’s Education and Children’s Services group, which represents professionals working in early years provision, has been contacted by concerned members worried about the implementation of the policy.

For example, some settings have not yet received the codes they need to be validated for the funding. Members have also identified inconsistencies in the way local authorities are applying rules on how to claw back funding for non-attendance of children who may be ill or picked up early. These rules will introduce penalties and add additional bureaucracy for already hard–pressed settings.

The scheme is being introduced at the same time as hourly funding rates are being cut by local authorities. Settings do not expect this funding to increase in the foreseeable future, leaving many providers unable to afford to offer the additional care.

Prospect's response to last year's consultation on early years funding and the expansion from 15 to 30 free (term-time only) hours raised concerns about the blunt approach being taken. We warned then that the policy could mean increased displacement and that many nursery providers would not be able to afford to support the 30-hour scheme.

We also raised concerns about a call on settings to "manage ratios more flexibly" in order to afford the changes.  Prospect fears this could lead to staff being employed on contracts that allow for them to be sent home unpaid if the number of children is lower than planned for.  

Steve Thomas, Prospect national secretary for Education and Children’s Services, said: “The government needs to make sure that it does not make an already low-paid and at times precarious set of employees more vulnerable.

"It is critical that policies, when introduced, include measures to improve the professional standing and skills of those who work in early years settings that parents or carers rely on."