Early Years Grant Information

Early Years Grant Information

<h2>Early Years’ Grant Information for parents of 3 and 4 year olds.</h2>

<p>At the time of going to print with the Parents’ / Pupils’ Guide, Tower College was a &160;Registered Provider’ of education through the Early Years’ Grant, which replaced the Nursery Voucher scheme. Parents received a refund of £397 per term in each of the school terms that their child was three or four and in full time education.</p>

<p>In March 2003, new statutory requirements were imposed on us by the Local Education Authority as a condition of the receipt of grants, and we feel that they are not in keeping with Tower College’s aims, ethos and standards of education and care.</p>

<p>The new requirements involve compulsory training days in school hours, taking teachers and classroom assistants away from their pupils. Our staff of all departments enjoy regular in-service training, but out of school hours.</p>

<p>The curriculum that we offer is planned with the needs of our pupils, who remain with us until they are 11 or 16, in mind. To continue to receive the grant funding, we would have to follow the advice of Planning Advisers who do not share our aims or ethos and who seem intent on taking away parents’ right to choose by making all &160;settings’ the same. The new requirements would take our independence, which is, after all, our reason for being, away from us.</p>

<p>Finally, the new Foundation Stage Profile assessments, another statutory requirement, would give teachers a lot more paperwork and less time with their children. The new profile assessment does not have the same educational value as our own chosen scheme (PIPs, used in many independent schools) and is very invasive of parents’ privacy as home visits and interviews are recorded to go with a child throughout their school life.</p>

<p>The Governors and I feel very strongly that Tower College must retain its independence and its high standards of care and education, and we have therefore taken the decision to refuse the grant funding. However, we do not want our parents to suffer a financial loss by our decision, and will be reducing the fees paid during the terms in which eligible children of 3 and 4 would receive the grant. It is currently £414 per term, and will change to match any changes in the future. We have the best interests of the children at heart.</p>
<h3>Tower College, Christian Schools Ltd. Registered Charity No. 526611 August 2007</h3>