A Playgroup Question

[CrunchyFrog]

I am chairperson of my local voluntary sector pre-school playgroup. We receive funded places. We have 2 children this year who have significant SN - to the point where we need additional support. I have been informed that because we are non-statutory, we are not entitled to any funding for these kids. We are a charity, and hand to mouth - we literally cannot afford to fund another member of staff ourselves.

So far, the options are that I go in two mornings a week on a voluntary basis and the most in-need child can only attend on those days (rubbish, hate that plan, he is entitled to the same hours as everyone else.) Or that we refuse him and say he needs special school - also rubbish, he would be fine with support. OR that we just ask the staff to cope, but it really skews the ratios and is no good for anyone.

Does anyone have any experience of gaining funding in this situation?

I'm really sorry I don't know if you are entitled. I hope so. I'm sure there's some piece of hidden legislation somewhere that says you are.

One tip I would give you though is to put this thread under a different title. Ie, funding question. I think it's a very important question that you need advice on and I know there are loads of people on here who would respond and be able to help if you were to make it clear it were about funding.

Hope this helps. :)

Well DS goes to playgroup which is run as a charity, its based in a church hall - I dont know if this is the same thing?

He recieves 8 hours 1-2-1 funded via inclusion funding on top of the 15 hours which he gets from the government.

Who told you that you were not entitled? Do either of these children have inclusion workers?

When you say you are non-statutory, do you mean you aren't registered because you only run for less than 2 hours, or that you aren't an LEA provided service?

I have just taken over as chairperson of our playgroup (and still learning all the terminology) and we sound in a similar position regarding money being hand to mouth. We are in Wales (so may be different) and were told in July that the funding we were being given to provide free places for children of parents on benefits was being withdrawn as we weren't registered (we only meet for 2hrs so can't register). After lots of grumping to the right people, it turns out that there might now be a U-turn happening on that, as in some other areas non-registered playgroups are given funding for free places. Sorry, not sure if that helps, but maybe if you can get lots of examples of other playgroups getting funding for SN, you might be able to present a case to get it.

We aren't provided by the LEA, not linked to a school, but we provide the 2.5 hours a day education, and get funding from the LEA for that.

I have spoken to the LEA again, there is apparently nothing at all, so I need to start looking for grants etc I guess. Thanks for advice!

Crunchy, are you in NI? I will have a look around and see what I can find...

Criteria for Statutory Assessment in your ELB if I have your area right.

You really need to suggest an application for SA. That will provide additional support.

I think the child is in the process - ELB couldn't confirm that today though - there are a number of other issues as well as the SN.

I am in NI, yes, thanks for info xx I usually just use UK terminology to avoid confusion. Are you in NI?

I didn't realise there was no funding here at SA+ (stage 3).

No, I just did a search on your posting name

LOL! Good detecting.