Early years (nursery) Pupil Premium

[MinnieMouseMaze]

Hi. We have a DS 3 year old who we understand is eligible for the early years PP. I discussed this with nursery this morning and they said they usually spend it on things like outdoor equipment which benefits most children. I was a little taken a back as I thought it would be more directed at our DS needs and anything we feel would benefit him directly (not necessarily anyone else).

Does anyone have experience of using this funding and the kinds of things it included? Unlike school the amount is only little £302/year but it is at least something

I’m sure someone with more expertise will be along, but my understanding is that while they’re allowed to spend it on things that benefit other kids, they have to evidence how it will benefit your DC.

But this has made me realise that I didn’t know that nursery got PP so I’m off to ask ours how it’s benefiting DD!

Is there something you think they could spend the money on that would meet his needs more directly?

I don't really know @jellycatspyjamas. DS doesn't have any known delays so nothing obvious though support is support isn't it so they'll be something that would directly benefit him - such as someone coming in to spend 1-1 time with him on numbers colours etc. It's about getting them on a par with their peers but any extra support would not go amiss. Doesn't sounds like many people have used it? Outdoor equipment just seems a bit naff and not specific for him?

The amount they get would pay for very little 1:1 support over the course of the year to the point of possibly not being effective - play based learning and group work is probably a more effective use of the funding in that they can do more of it for longer. Unless of course you think they’re hoping to use your sons pupil premium to cover core equipment or resources - which is definitely not ok.

Thanks @jellycatspyjamas I think something along those lines would be better. I'll see what they come up with and take it from there. Don't think it'll be a yes for a new slide though

My son has attended two nurseries. Both asked me what I thought it should be spent on and in both cases I mentioned speech and language resources or training. Neither one actually told me what it was spent on but I suspect not what I asked for. DS doesn't have any obvious delays or additional needs now. Even his speech and language is more or less in line with his peers so I haven't pressed them on it. It's not that much money and I personally didn't feel it was worth rocking the boat over. It's my understanding that it's down to the nursery to decide how it should be spent and although the money is unlikely to be ring fenced for the child that they have claimed it for, they should benefit from what it is spent on. I'd love to be proven wrong but my feeling is that nurseries are not really doing what they are supposed to be doing with it.

I have to do this as part of my job I always ask the parents if there is anything they need or that would help and then. I take a look at what the child would benefit from in setting, it's really hard to have resources for just for 1 child so something that benefits the whole
Group is usually purchased on the basis that the reason we purchased was to support the child we received the funding for.

@wishing4sun
Out of interest could you give some examples of the kind of resources this would include?

Children who have been adopted or LAC are entitled to pupil premium plus- a higher amount than just pupil premium. Check they've getting the right amount.

@sunshineandskyscrapers
I. The past we have helped the family buy a weighted blanket, and some resources to help the child with meal times, so they were things they took home but we also have purchased climbing apparatus to assist in a child's physical development, speech and sound resources. Books highlighting hard of hearing characters to help a child with his self confidence after suddenly becoming hard of hearing.

Some new stem activities to extend and focus on a particular child's skill set.

@Mummyshark2018 pupil premium plus is from reception onwards. The early years pupil premium for children in nursery aged 3-4 is only about £300 per child per year. There is no pupil premium plus for early years.

@wishing4sun
That sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.

Hi OP the EYPP is only 52p extra per hour, it amounts to only about £300 per child per year so providers will often combine it to buy something more expensive. However Ofsted will expect them to say how it has benefited the child that is eligible for it. Eg some nurserys might use it to buy story bags for a child with language delay but they could still use them with other children as well.

You may find these examples of spend interesting
www.early-education.org.uk/possible-ideas-spending-eypp-funding

Thanks @Nonnymum they are useful examples to look at and very specific to that child. Can't help but feel from what I read in reality though is it doesn't feel like it actually is properly directed at that child. Just loosely associated with them. Yes a climbing frame would benefit them (and everyone else) but is it truly the best use of direct funding to address his needs? One on one support though there are no obvious delays would feel so much more targeted and beneficial to them.

I get the impression PP is like this more generally in primary school and secondary too as there is not often a discussion with the parents, just a need to prove to Ofstead. I hope I am wrong as it feels wrong

Our son has significant development delays is in nursery with a great SENCO support. Is on a Local SEND community outreach disability pathway plan. We share support OT , Speech and language, and Physio with nursery and home ( just 15 hrs at nursery) our choice keeps the staff on par. Funding gets Pupil premium also as SEND funding from LA £1800 pa. Level 2 which nursery applies for . So far has been some has been spent on staff training (signing course)., sensory equipment. , Toys, numeracy aids and such., mostly with sensory diet intentions , which will aid other children our child mainly as these interventions are inclusion based, Son is doing great starting too talk, will be walking soon, can sign very well.

Thank you @sunshine I wasn't aware (never checked!) if it was applicable to early years.

I'm not sure how it works for your area but I had to go into a meeting with our LOs SW, the head of their Virtual school and LOs key worker at nursery. This would happen annually and we'd go through his development against the EYFS milestones. The key worker would flag areas he either was behind on or things he was most keen on. We'd then plan together what we thought his EYP monies should be spent on. This was my second child going through nursery and it worked the same both times - the borough wouldn't let the nursery draw down funds until this meeting Took place and a plan agreed. Often the things we'd agree on would be beneficial to all children in the nursery which I was fine with as long as it was chosen with a focus on my LO in the first instance. I'd suggest asking your social worker why you haven't been invited to this meeting

One on one support though there are no obvious delays would feel so much more targeted and beneficial to them.

Wouldn't that be a lot more expensive than the fund could cover ? I'm not sure how many one on one hours can be paid for with 300 pounds but I doubt more than 10-20 at best. Over the course of a year that's one hour every two weeks. Would that really be beneficial ?