Pay is one of the most sensitive issues that employers need to deal with. When there are disputes over issues such as calculating a bonus, reclaiming an overpayment or something similar, the situation can easily become very tense. Paying the National Minimum Wage It is widely understood that employees must be paid an amount that…
Continue reading "Some tricky issues relating to pay"Category: HR Advice
Some school and early years staff may be barred under new disqualification rules #earlyyears
In November 2014, the Department for Education (DfE) published Keeping children safe in education: childcare disqualification requirements – supplementary advice available from gov.uk. The guidance reminded schools that, as well as their other safeguarding children duties, they must also comply with additional requirements under the Childcare Act 2006 and the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009. This…
Continue reading "Some school and early years staff may be barred under new disqualification rules #earlyyears"Report shows less money spent on early years
A new report has shown that “real spend” per child on early years, childcare and Sure Start dropped by a quarter between 2009 and 2013. The Coalition’s Record on the Under Fives: Policy, Spending and Outcomes 2010–2015, published by London School of Economics and the Universities of Manchester and York, shows a fall in spending…
Continue reading "Report shows less money spent on early years"Separate registration for two-year-olds to discontinue
Forthcoming legislation is expected to remove the requirement that schools register early years provision for two-year-olds separately with Ofsted. It is anticipated that, subject to the approval of parliament, this will come into effect in September 2015. In an open letter on reforms, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Childcare and Education Sam Gyimah said:…
Continue reading "Separate registration for two-year-olds to discontinue"Early years pupil premium roll-out begins
The early years pupil premium scheme has been kick-started in seven local authorities. Blackpool, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Hackney and Stoke-on-Trent have each received a share in £1 million with the hope of helping the most disadvantaged children in their areas to receive high-quality early education. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This new…
Continue reading "Early years pupil premium roll-out begins"Separate registration for two-year-olds provision on the way out
The Government is putting in place legislation to remove the requirement with Ofsted that schools must register separately their early years provision for two-year-olds. Subject to the approval of Parliament, this should come into effect in September 2015. The aim is to make it easier for schools to offer early years provision for two-year-olds, whether…
Continue reading "Separate registration for two-year-olds provision on the way out"More joined-up help needed to “get it right” for families
The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) has published a new report claiming that families with young children are not receiving “joined-up” support from public services. Getting it Right for Families: A Review of Integrated Systems and Promising Practice in Early Years gives practical advice for local areas together with examples of how services can be integrated…
Continue reading "More joined-up help needed to “get it right” for families"Latest from Ofsted: “sustained improvement”
Ofsted has reported that most early years providers were judged “good” or “outstanding” at their most recent inspection. More than 83% of providers active on the Early Years Register at the end of August 2014 were awarded grades of either good or outstanding according to the most recent Ofsted statistics. This figure represents an increase…
Continue reading "Latest from Ofsted: “sustained improvement”"Major Concerns at Childcare Funding Shortfall
A new report has shown that government funding falls short of covering the amount needed for every child accessing free childcare. Counting the Cost: An Analysis of Delivery Costs for Funded Early Years Education and Childcare, carried out by social and market research agency Ceeda and commissioned by the Pre-School Learning Alliance, demonstrates that government…
Continue reading "Major Concerns at Childcare Funding Shortfall"Family Friendly Report Card: Government could do better
The Family and Childcare Trust has published its 2014 Family Friendly Report Card, and there’s room for improvement. It takes a close look at how well families are supported by the Government and is “the only annual assessment of how family friendly the UK is”. It includes factors such as: financial resources work-life balance essential…
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