Birmingham Childminders: Funding Pathways
Written by Safiaya Abowath-Tulloch, Early Years Consultant (EYC) for Inclusion
Hello Birmingham Childminders!
I am elated to announce the Birmingham Childminder Network, formally known as the Childminder Inclusion Network has partnered with HEART Midlands Stronger Practice Hubs (SPH).
This is a wonderful and exciting partnership for Birmingham childminders and childminders in the West Midlands to connect, collaborate, strengthen local networks, and improve outcomes for children. The collaboration with HEART Midlands SPH presents an exhilarating opportunity for childminders to be in the know about sector updates, support CPD on themed topics, and share good working practices with fellow peers.
This November 2023 edition of the Birmingham Childminders blog is a ‘Funding Pathways’ special. Below, you’ll find information about useful funding streams available for childminders to apply for children accessing the early years provision to help improve outcomes and education.
Funding Pathways:
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Inclusion Support in Early Years (ISEY)
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
Tax-Free Childcare (TFC)
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
The Disability Access Fund (DAF) is new funding for early years providers to support children with disabilities or special educational needs. It aids access to early years places by supporting providers in making reasonable adjustments to their settings.
Providers taking three and four-year-olds that are eligible for the DAF will be entitled to receive a one-off payment of £828 per financial year.
The DAF is not based on an hourly rate and is an additional entitlement.
Further information about the DAF, including full eligibility criteria, can be found here.
Inclusion Support in Early Years (ISEY)
Inclusion Support in Early Years (ISEY) is funding to support early years providers in Birmingham to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
This guidance is for eligible childminders receiving Early Education funding from Birmingham local authority (LA) and who are members of the Birmingham Childminder Network, attending meetings twice yearly as a minimum.
If a child lives in Birmingham but attends a setting in another local authority, inclusion funding should be sought from that authority.
ISEY applications can be submitted for a child who meets all eight of the following eligibility criteria:
There is parent/carer consent for the application and a signed copy of the application form is held by the setting
The child accesses their 2/3/4-year-old EEE funding in a Birmingham setting
The child has either been in the setting for at least six weeks or there is evidence of a planned transition/settling period for the child prior to admission
The child has emerging or identified special educational needs/disability and requires support that is ‘additional to or different from’ that which is typically provided for children of their age in the setting
Providers have sought and implemented the advice of relevant LA SEND support services
Appropriate referrals to relevant external agencies have been made and the advice of any involved professionals is being followed
The child has a quality, current SEN and Early Support Plan, evidencing the Graduated Approach of the SEND Code of Practice 2014/5, including working in partnership with parent/carers and other professionals (team around the child approach)
The child does not have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
If a child does not meet all eight criteria a discussion must take place with the Early Years and Childcare Service (EYC) to determine whether an ‘exceptional application’ is appropriate.
If you require further information about the ISEY funding or would like to discuss a potential application, please email EYduty@birmingham.gov.uk.
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is additional funding for early years providers to help them improve the education they provide for disadvantaged three and four-year-olds.
Providers could get up to £376.20 per year to help with the child’s education
Funds paid directly to the provider
Eligibility:
Child is aged between three and four
Child must receive free early education to attract funding
For further information on EYPP, or to check if a child in your setting is eligible, visit the Birmingham City Council website.
Tax-Free Childcare (TFC)
Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) is for working families, including self-employed, in the UK earning under £100k and at least £152 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum Living Wage) and who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit, or childcare vouchers.
TFC is available for children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled).
How does TFC work?
For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year
Working families can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) per child per year to help with the cost of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every three months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).
How can TFC be used?
Working families can use TFC all year round to spend on regulated childcare, for example:
Childminders
Nurseries
Nannies
Before and after school clubs
Holiday clubs
Useful links
Submit your own story for ‘In the Spotlight’
We all know how important Childminders are to children, families, and the early years sector. Every month we would like to feature a childminder in our blog so that our partner colleagues, neighbouring services, and the whole sector can see the amazing work that childminders do.
If you would like to share your story and be featured in a future blog, please email the following information to Safiaya Abowath-Tulloch (safiaya.abowath@birmingham.gov.uk):
Name
How long have you been a childminder?
How would you describe yourself in three words?
What does your childminding setting offer?
What has been your biggest personal achievement and what has been your biggest achievement as a childminder?
Why did you decide to become a childminder?
What do you want parents and professionals to know about childminding?
Who do you look up to and why?
What does Birmingham mean to you?
Please include a photograph of yourself to accompany your submission.
Future Network Meetings
Every two months, we hold a virtual ‘Teams’ network meeting. These meetings are an opportunity for childminders across the city to meet up, offer peer support, and share ideas and information. The meetings also regularly have guest speakers from other sectors to share information and processes with the childminders.
Upcoming childminder network meeting dates are listed below. If you would like to attend, please register via the link(s) in the relevant meeting listing(s).
For further information contact: EYduty@birmingham.gov.uk. We look forward to seeing you at our next Birmingham Childminder Network meeting!
