EARLY YEARS graduate funding

1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

18 May 2017 OFFICIAl

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL

As part of the support we offer providers who purchase the Early Years training and support package (1 April to 31 August 2017), we’re able to provide funding this year to support Early Years Graduate (EYG) leadership in settings by enhancing the salary of EYGs. This applies to both sessional and full day-care settings in the private, voluntary and independent sector.

Funding has been protected this year to make the Early Years Graduate Premium available to enhance the salary of those that lead learning within a setting, although this will be the last year the funding will be available.

The Graduate Leader

The Graduate Leader is a catalyst for change. They will strengthen leadership and management within the setting and make a significant impact on the delivery of high quality provision.

The role will include influencing:

§  Teaching and learning

§  Outcomes for all children

§  Practitioner knowledge, skills and understanding

§  Supervision and appraisal

§  Self-evaluation

§  Monitoring systems

In addition the graduate leader will model outstanding practice, promote reflection and secure a strong pedagogy.

Eligibility for Early Years Graduate Leader Premium

§  Deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to children receiving Early Education Funding

§  Setting has bought into the Early Years Training and support package (1 April 2017 to 31 August 2017)

§  Currently employ a level 6 Early Years Graduate, a Qualified Teacher (QTS), an Early Years Professional (EYP) or an Early Years Teacher (EYT) who lead professional practice

§  Agree to provide evidence that you continue to employ an Early Years Graduate (EYG) leader although this need not be the same individual and notify Plymouth Local Authority immediately if the Early Years Graduate leaves the setting

§  Agree to provide evidence on how the funding has been spent and provide monitoring information as required

Settings eligible to claim for one Early Years Graduate Premium

§  Have fewer than 50 funded children on the two to four year old spring headcount

Settings eligible to claim for two Early Years Graduate Premiums

§  Be located in an area of deprivation

or

§  Not be located in an area of deprivation, but 50 or more funded children on the two to four year old spring headcount

Settings eligible to claim for three Early Years Graduate Premiums

§  Have 50 or more funded children on the two to four year old Spring headcount and be located in an area of deprivation

or

§  Not be located in an area of deprivation but have 70 or more funded children on the two to four year old spring headcount

Salary enhancement

§  Part time equates to leading the practice for under 20 hours: £500 per annum

§  Full time equates to leading the practice for 20 hours or over: £1000 per annum

All applications need to be received by 30 September 2017 in order to get the full amount. Applications received after this date will only receive 50 per cent of the payment.

Terms and conditions

Plymouth Local Authority reserves the right to contact settings by telephone, email and letter or in person to discuss individual applications.

If in receipt of funding, settings will be required to provide regular budgetary monitoring and valuation information.

Employers may be audited, therefore evidence of all expenditure may be required.

Plymouth City Council may take action to adjust/cease/recover payments if the Local Authority is not fully satisfied that the money is being spent as specified or if the conditions haven’t been met.

Funding must be spent by 31 March 2018 and cannot be carried forward to the next financial year. We reserve the right to claw back any money not spent by this deadline.

No applications will be processed after 27 January 2018.

If the candidate takes maternity leave or a sabbatical during the qualifying period (1 April 2017 to March 2018) then the funding will be suspended or clawed back unless the setting is able to recruit an alternative eligible replacement to cover the vacancy.

Data exchange

Students’ names, workplace, and results will be passed to the council from the colleges/universities, in order for planning the support available to the sector and so the Early Years can provide statistics to other Government Agencies.

How you will receive the funding

Funding is paid direct to the setting by a BACS payment following agreement by the Early Years Graduate Leader Funding Panel that all criteria have been satisfied.

Please contact Early Years on 01752 307450 if you would like further information.

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