SomersetEarly Years Teaching Centres Pilot - Phase 2 2012/13
Frequently Asked Questions
- As a setting we are interested in being part of this initiative, however we wonder if we are big enough?
If you are applying as an individual setting you will need to have capacity to deliver training and the capacity on site to hold training – this will be assessed by the centre visits. You could however enter as a consortium and use facilities at your partner settings, if your setting does not have the facilities on site.
- What level of commitment will the setting would have towards training others?
The level of commitment will be determined by the proposals given in your application and presented at interview, funding of up to £30,000 will be given depending on the commitment.Settings must be able to demonstrate their capacity to deliver training and supporting settings whilst ensuring this is not detrimental to their own setting.
- What ongoing commitment would there be when the contract completes?
As part of the application settings are to suggest ways in which they can receive external funding and charge costs for training to become sustainable. This contract is for one year.
- Would the funding need to be targeted completely towards training others or could it be used to improve facilities for the children?
The funding cannot be used to buy capital items and therefore cannot be used to improve the facilities. The funding is intended to support training and development within the centre and to support other settings.
- Can a setting like ours with ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements apply?No, individual settings must have an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted grading. Any settings with other than Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ grading can team up with an ‘Outstanding’ setting to form a consortium. The ‘Outstanding’ setting must be the lead setting applying.
- How canan individual practitioner contribute to the scheme?Suggestions, mentoring, support - It seems a shame that someone like me can't get involved?
If you as an individual would like to be involved but feel that the setting as a whole does not have capacity/ meet the criteria we will be able to put you in touch with the centre/s that are awarded the Teaching Centre status. SCIL are also always looking for outstanding practitioners to support our work.
- Will meetings / training only be held at the lead centre?
No, meetings/training does not have to be at a lead centre and can be placed in any of the settings that form part of the consortium or may even be held in other settings which the teaching centre is supporting, we expect that Early Years Teaching Centres will work within their collaboration or other settings to ensure good geographical coverage.
- Does the scheme allow for crosscounty border applications?
No, the Somerset Pilot is funded by the Somerset County Council and therefore is unable to be used across borders.
- Why are West Somerset, South Somerset, Taunton Deane and Sedgemoor the target areas of Phase 2?
It is envisaged that the Phase 2 Teaching Centres will compliment the reach of the existing Teaching Centres which have a primary reach in Mendip.
If you have any questions not covered in the FAQ document, please forward these to . As well as responding directly to any specific questions, any additional general questions and answers can be added to the FAQ document.