Early Years PP

[drspouse]

Just found out that our DS' nursery has been given this. I have yet to confirm if it was actually for our DS as there is another child at nursery who is adopted, they have told me.

They've told me it's been spent on general things e.g. workshops for all the children. Aren't they supposed to spend this specifically on the children to whom it applies? Or is that only the case for PP+?

I think you're right - it can be for activities that incidentally also benefit other children, but it has to be designed to specifically benefit the child/ren who attract the pupil premium. I think it's all called pupil premium now, and they've dropped the "+".

You can always direct them here
educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/toolkit/early-years/about-the-early-years-toolkit/

It is still PP+ dd was with inspectors recently OFSTED during school inspection for the whole day. So use and results are monitored.

PP+ is for school while Early Years Pupil Premium is for preschool. So a bit different.

They have used it for some "workshops" which do benefit DS but are not particularly aimed at disadvantaged children. I found our LA wording on this and it's something like "must improve educational quality and must benefit disadvantaged children".

So I'm not completely convinced they are using it correctly but it doesn't HAVE to be for specific children like PP+

It does seem as if it has been renamed from PP+ to PP For LAC and that does have to be for the specific child.

I'm going to confirm with the nursery manager that they were told they actually got it for DS (as he was adopted from overseas they may or may not have been obliged to give it and the manager just confirmed that they received it not that they received it for him, and it may help us with our school application to know if they accepted the proof we sent).

(when I say "it has been renamed" I mean the school age PP+ rather than EYPP).

Hope your school application goes well DrS - are you applying for this September intake?

Is there something you feel your DD would specifically need?
I oversee the allocation of PP in a primary and whilst we have to demonstrate how the relevant children have benefitted, it can be more widely used. For example, a maths workshop for all Y6 children, if the Y6 PP recipients are below expectation in maths (wouldn't single them out for a maths session for just them!).
We also pay for music lessons for all KS1 using PP. Music benefits learning, but evidence shows low income families less likely to reach out for financial assistance. So we make it accessible and compulsory to all, then on a case by case basis approach individual families about offering financial assistance to carry on.

We are applying for September and he has pretty poor motor skills which could well benefit from some individual input (we are awaiting proper assessment), and some behavioural difficulties which however have been responding to nursery's sensible suggestions.

Lisa that's the PP for "regular" disadvantaged children though, not the specific PP+/LAC PP aimed at formerly LAC.

Anyway, the nursery manager just told me that she was told in a meeting that only ex-UK-LAC would be allocated EYPP but they only applied for DS and they got it... so them not knowing what they are doing she thinks... may be to our advantage...

We had to sign a form to say we agreed to it being asked for. Have you signed one?
we actually didn't sign it in the end as they couldn't prove how it would benefit lo at all.

Yes I did, obviously we also had to provide the copy of the AO.

Depends lots on schools perspective and interpretation of PP+ on how they use it , Was at school a meeting recently , at their invitation too discuss idea's of what use PP+ could be used, of course their is the individual need's and of the child and Post Trauma and Attachments, conclusion was General in all areas, More though on teacher training of Mental Health conditions associated with children leaving care and in care, Support training for parents, and support group's. Looking at employing a on site OT. and Parental Support worker.
Of Course lots will depend on the size of each individual school, larger schools will attract more cash , hence the disparages of what a school is able too do , and why Pupil premium is under review, as in present state is very much a post code lottery as who best benefits or not.

I am writing to our school about it, ds is in year one.

I am not sure what to say about it really.

Is anyone willing to say an anonymous version of what they said by PM or here, please?

If Any one wants too see example's of how good LA's use PP+ for Ex looked after children Google Gareth Marr or are you dissatisfied Google and join "The Adoption train." AT... Adoption social

A good rule of thumb for LAC/former LAC PP (the plus was dropped) is to check the universal offer available to all students.

Whilst LAC/former LAC PP can be pooled if the school can evidence how a group of LAC/former LAC benefit from an intervention, it must not be used to fund interventions which would be available regardless, such as booster classes, small group teaching or learning mentors.

As to what it can be used for, it really depends on the child. The Sutton Trust toolkit linked above is a good starting point for discussion. IME, training the whole school in working with trauma-experienced children is very effective. This often means that the school begins to suggest effective, personalised uses of PP rather than expecting parents or carers to do the work.

The most important thing is for the school to take baseline assessment (academic/behavioural) data prior to the intervention (even if this is horse riding) so they can measure its efficacy.