On rare occasions the council could put funding restrictions in place on early years providers who do not meet the quality standards for early education funded places as outlined in the Department for Education's Statutory Guidance.
This is normally applicable to providers who receive the following inspection ratings:
- Requires Improvement - funding restrictions could be implemented on Think2 places for disadvantaged 2-year-olds.
- Inadequate - funding restrictions could be imposed on all funded entitlements.
In most cases, for both the above ratings, providers can normally continue claiming for children they claimed for before the Ofsted inspection report is published meaning restrictions would be applicable to any new children a provider had not previously claimed for and who starts or become eligible for funded hours after the publication of the report. Restrictions normally remain in place until the rating improves - subject to any appeal outcomes.
All funding could be removed for the applicable age groups as stated above for consecutive 'Requires Improvement' or 'Inadequate' ratings. This would also be applicable if a provider was suspended by Ofsted.
Providers can review full details in relation to Quality as outlined in the Staffordshire provider agreement, section 14 from page 25.
Providers are notified in writing by the council regarding any funding restrictions, support and next steps.