This information is to support maintained schools and academy trusts when developing the early years entitlements.
We have created a series of short recordings to support maintained schools and academy trusts.
The six short, recorded information sessions will be useful to anyone who is exploring how the early years entitlements can be delivered in maintained schools and academies including:
- Maintained school and trust leaders
- Governing boards in maintained schools
- Academy trust boards and local governing bodies
- Practitioners and teaching staff
- Local authority officers and team members
Some recordings are relevant to both maintained schools and academy trusts and some are specifically relevant to the school type.
Session 1: Delivering early years entitlements in maintained schools and academy trusts
This 21.03 minute recording introduces the early years expansion and considers:
- The entitlements, the government’s Plan for Change, programme aims and ambitions
- Role of local authority
- Considerations for decision making
- Overview of recorded series and links to each recording.
Session 2: Flexible and affordable early years childcare (in maintained schools and academy trusts) that works for families
Affordability and flexibility are key in establishing early years provision that works for both families and the maintained school or academy trust. This 18.24 minute information session explores:
- Models of delivery
- Funding rates, funding processes, Early Years Pupil Premium and
- Disability Access Funding
- Government support, Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit etc. and sustainable fee structures.
- Signpost to relevant HUB resources and toolkit
Session 3 - Host or commission a private, voluntary or independent (PVI) sector provider to deliver on site.
Both maintained schools and academy trusts may choose to host a third party to deliver on the school site rather than direct delivery. This 8.22 minute information session discusses:
- Hosting a private, voluntary or independent (PVI) sector provider to deliver on the school site or commissioning a private, voluntary or independent (PVI) sector provider to deliver on the school site
- Legal and practical considerations
- Ofsted and EYFS requirements
- Funding and finances
- Leadership and management
- Safeguarding
- Pros and cons of this model
- Signpost to relevant HUB resources and toolkit
Session 4A - Direct delivery in a maintained school (lowering the school age range)
This 4.52 minute session specifically explores some of the key considerations for direct delivery of early years in a maintained school.
- Legal and practical considerations
- Pros and cons of this model
- Signpost to relevant HUB resources and toolkit
Session 4B - Direct delivery in an academy (lowering the school age range)
This 3.55 minute session explores some of the key considerations for direct delivery of early years by an academy.
- Legal and practical considerations
- Pros and cons of this model
- Signpost to relevant HUB resources and toolkit
Session 5 - Delivering governor run pre-school provision in a maintained school under Section 27 of the Education Act 2002 ‘Community Provision Powers’
This 4.51 minute session explores how a maintained school can deliver early years under Section 27 of the Education Act 2002.
- Legal and practical considerations
- Pros and cons of this model
- Signpost to relevant HUB resources and toolkit
This resource was published April 2025.