In Norfolk, all providers are required to sign an annual agreement to offer Early Education funding to families. The agreement is based on the model agreement issued by the Department for Education (DfE). Each year providers offering Early Education to families will be invited to renew the agreement for the next academic year. It is also necessary throughout the year to keep Parts A-D up to date and re-submit a full set of documents (listed below) when amended so that a compliance check can be completed.
The agreement consists of two documents -
Part A - D https://forms.office.com/e/w5fS4Ty4j2
Part E (Word doc) [79KB]: Agreement Content and web links
plus, the following additional documents (provider policies) -
A provider may choose to combine policies for Early Education to reduce the admin burden, and therefore we expect the agreement requirements to be stated in at least one policy which is written for and shared with families.
These documents should enable families to make an informed decision about their childcare arrangement and ability to pay additional fees before committing to a contract, and assures the Local Authority that the provider has systems in place to meet the statutory guidance and funding agreement requirements when offering the Early Education entitlement to families.
It is therefore important that as a minimum these documents clearly prove the following sections of the agreement are being met.
- Charging Policy - [2.47] [2.48] [2.49] [2.52] [2.53] [2.54]
- Sample Invoice - [2.53] [2.54]
- Admissions Policy - [2.14] [2.15] [2.25] [2.26] [2.27] [2.30] [2.31] [2.35] [2.37] [2.51]
- Complaints Policy - [2.65]
Once complete, documents must be emailed to earlyyearsfinance@norfolk.gov.uk
When the documents are submitted, the Early Years Finance team will complete a compliance check. Providers will be notified where it is necessary to make any amendments as soon as possible. New providers should allow at least 6 weeks for the documentation to be checked.
Please ensure all policies are re-submitted if one policy has been updated. It is important that the Local Authority holds your current versions on file as these are a source of reference should we receive a complaint.
PLEASE NOTE: The agreement process is not complete unless two emails have been received –
- Confirming that compliance checks have been completed and documents are compliant
- Returning your agreement signed