Early Years Alliance

** Prepare for the new year with the Alliance's Payslip service ** Did you know that the Early Years Alliance provides a bespoke payslip service, tailor-made for early years settings and other charitable organisations? Available to both members and non-members, we provide peace of mind that payments are being made on time, every time. Alongside professional payslips, electronic and secure data transfer and real-time information, our popular service will provide you with: - Tax and NI contribution calculations - Information on how and when to pay HMRC and how much to pay them - Calculations of statutory payments, such as maternity and sick pay - Calculation of student loan repayments - The option for us to calculate annualized pay and holiday pay - Pension auto-enrolment assessment and letters plus direct transfer to provider ... and much more. Contact our friendly team today for a free, no-obligation quote here: bit.ly/3ZLPi5b , or email payslipservice@eyalliance.org.uk

We at the Alliance welcome today's increase in the Early Years Pupil Premium - which we hope marks the first step towards bringing the Early Years Pupil Premium in line with primary levels - and look forward to hearing more detail about the £75m expansion grant to support providers to deliver the final phase of the expansion in September. Yet, while any increase in funding is welcome, we know that the funding rates for 2025/26 will fail to even come close to covering the cost of changes to National Insurance Contributions and wage increases.  Commenting, Alliance CEO Neil Leitch said: “With our own research showing the National Insurance changes will cost settings more than £18,000 a year what providers needed was a commitment to mitigate the impact of these changes. Yet in reality, by not accounting for these changes in next year's rates countless nurseries, pre-schools and childminders will be left with no option but to raise costs, reduce places or simply close their doors completely.  "What’s more, the Treasury may claim that the rates announced today takes into account the upcoming rises to the National and Living wages, but we know it will do little – if anything at all – to support settings to meet these increases and ensure wage differentials between junior and senior staff. As such, not only will it place even more financial pressure on settings but it is likely to make the sector’s ongoing staffing crisis even worse." ** Funding rates and Early Years Pupil Premium ** “Today was an opportunity for the Treasury to show it recognises the catastrophic impact that the National Insurance and wage changes will have on the sector. Not only has it turned a blind eye to this, but it will have clear repercussions on families expecting to take advantage of the ongoing expansion." For our full response on today's funding announcements visit: bit.ly/41qi4cY Alliance members check your inboxes for an EY Instant Update on today's changes and detail on the individual local authority funding rates. EY Instant Updates are available to all Alliance members for details on how to join visit: bit.ly/4eRXh6c https://lnkd.in/eBdRveqZ

Media Opportunity The BBC would like to hear from settings who are struggling to meet demand due to sector challenges If you are interested and available for short phone interview this weekend please email pressoffice@eyalliance.org.uk

** CPD For You: Let's talk being business smart** Saturday 22 March 2025, 9:30am - 1pm When you are in the business of delivering the best possible care and education for children and families, financial efficiency and sustainability are as important as outstanding practice. That's why our next instalment of CPD for You, our half-day in-person professional development events, is dedicated solely to business and leadership. Join us on Saturday 22 March in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, alongside our partners at TTS, for an engaging and interactive event which will help you feel more confident and supported in your leadership role. For more information or to book your place: bit.ly/3Vp8eEt ***Book before 31 January 2025 and get 20% off with the discount code EARLYCPD20!***

Alliance CEO Neil Leitch was incredibly pleased to represent the early years sector at a roundtable with the Prime Minister earlier this week. The meeting focused on the government's 'Plan for Change' which, as confirmed in the Prime Minister's speech earlier today, will include a focus on the early years and giving children the best start in life as part of the government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity. More detail on this can be found here: bit.ly/3BqvLxT Commenting on today's speech, Neil said: “We know that the early years are absolutely critical in determining a child's long-term life chances. Given this, it is undoubtedly positive that the Prime Minister has identified early education as key to the government’s opportunity mission, and we look forward to working with ministers in this important area.   “Of course, if we are going to give all children, regardless of background, the best possible start in life – and support them to succeed not just at school, but beyond – we simply must be willing to invest what is needed to deliver consistent quality provision, and attract and retain the knowledgeable, experienced and passionate early educators that we know make such a difference to child's early learning experiences. As such, it remains critical that ministers ensure that our sector is adequately funded both now and in the future, particularly in light of the changes announced at the Budget and the financial pressure that they will undoubtedly place on providers.   “Today has the potential to mark the start of a new approach to the early years: one that has the needs of the child at its centre, and that at long last recognises and values the important role that our sector plays in the lives of children and families. ­What we need now are the practical changes – and investment – that will help ensure that the ambitions outlined today can become a reality.”

Two part series: Early years policy update - what's changing in 2025? Wednesday 22 & 29 January, 6.30pm - 7.30pm There is no doubt that 2025 will be a year of significant change for the early years sector in England, with changes to the national minimum and living wages, employer national insurance contributions and early years funding rates coming into effect in April; and a revised Early Years Foundation Stage Framework set to be published in September. Join us for a FREE two-part session where we will explore the changes in-depth and discuss what it will mean in practice for your early years provision. Part one: An overview of the changes 6.30pm - 7.30pm, Wednesday 22 January 2025 Part one will provide a clear overview of the key upcoming changes, including safeguarding, the experienced-based route, national minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions, and early years funding rates. Part two: A focus on safeguarding 6.30pm - 7.30pm, Wednesday 29 January 2025 In part two we will discuss the new safeguarding guidance in more depth. The changes announced in October 2024 include guidance on safe recruitment practices, monitoring and following up on child absences, whistleblowing, Paediatric first aid, safe eating, toilet and privacy For more detail on the sessions and to book your free place visit: bit.ly/3CRDB3Z

Congratulations to Alliance CEO Neil Leitch who was awarded the Outstanding Contribution of an Individual Award at this year's Nursery Management Today Awards, from all of us at the Alliance! #NMTNurseryAwards24

** LAST CHANCE TO BOOK ** FREE Alliance Connect: Childminding Professional Networking Event Wednesday 4 December, 7.15pm - 8.15pm Would you like the opportunity to virtually meet up with fellow childminders for support and ideas? If so, join the Alliance's Childminding Professional Networking Event, a safe space for discussions on anything childminding-related. This hour-long event will support you to: - connect, support, and share ideas about the current challenges facing the childminding sector - make links with other childminders - become part of a support network to engage, share knowledge, experience, and best practice Book your place: bit.ly/491yZnW

Come and listen to Alliance early years development manager Tracey Hobbs and Alliance business manager Gary Croxon at 1.45pm in the Knowledge Hub at The Nursery Management Show where they’ll talk being business smart and give you their top tips on running your business smoothly

We’re at Nursery Management Today Nursery Management Show today again, come and see us on stand D52 where colleagues will be happy to talk to you about any issues you’re facing, how an Alliance membership could support your business, or anything else that’s on your mind!