This circular is about the process and rules by which playgroups are funded.
On this page
- Introduction
- Playgroup Funding
- Claiming Playgroup Funding
- Playgroup Funding guidelines
- Special Grants
- Annual Grant Review form
Date : 1 December 2008
Circular number : 2008/17
Category : Funding
Playgroup Funding
This Circular is about: The process and rules by which playgroups are funded.
This Circular replaces: This circular does not replace any other.
The action required is: Playgroups should read this circular to find out whether they are eligible to apply for funding and how to apply for that funding.
It is intended for: All playgroups funded by the Ministry of Education, in particular the management of these playgroups.
For further information: Contact your local Ministry of Education officelocal Ministry of Education office .
Introduction
This circular provides background information to support the April 2009 funding payment to playgroups.
Playgroup funding is divided into two grants; the Playgroup Funding Grant and the Special Grant.
Information about eligibility and applying for these grants can be found in this circular.
Playgroup Funding
Introduction
Playgroup Funding was previously know as the Developing Centres Fund and is intended to assist playgroups to meet their ongoing operational costs.
Objectives
The objectives of Playgroup Funding are to:
- enable a community initiated response to reduce barriers to participation in early childhood education;
- support playgroups to provide quality educational programmes in accord with any curriculum prescribed by the Minister; and
- assist playgroups to be sustainable over time.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive Playgroup Funding a playgroup must:
- be certified (that is hold a valid interim or full certificate); or
- be licence-exempt under Section 319 of the Education Act 1989; and
- meet any funding rules set out by the Ministry of Education.
Note: Playgroups established after 1 December 2008 have to be certificated to be eligible for funding.
Funding rules
To receive funding playgroups are required to:
- maintain a separate bank account either in the name of the playgroup or the affiliated organisation;
- maintain records of income and expenditure and make these available to the Ministry of Education. These records must be examined and verified as accurate annually by a responsible person outside the playgroup;
- complete the Annual Grant Review form to account for the expenditure of government funding.
Funding is not provided for:
- children that are placed in a licenced home-based scheme who attend playgroup with their home-based educator;
- the building deposit for a Discretionary Grant: the percentage of the cost of the project that groups must supply themselves cannot come from Ministry of Education funding.
Closure of playgroups
Funding is provided to playgroups on the condition that, upon closure:
- all remaining funds received from the Ministry of Education are returned to the Ministry of Education;
- equipment purchased with Ministry of Education funding may be reclaimed by the ministry.
Claiming Playgroup Funding
Payment date
Playgroup Funding is paid mid-April 2009 . A payment advice notice will be sent to all playgroups that receive funding detailing the amount they have been paid.
This payment covers the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009.
Calculating Playgroup Funding
Playgroup Funding is calculated by multiplying the funding rate by the average number of children attending by the hours per week the group operates by weeks of operation per six months .
Playgroup Funding can be claimed for a maximum of 25 children between birth and six years of age. Funding cannot be claimed for any child enrolled in a school.
Certified playgroups
Certified playgroups can claim for up to four hours per day and up to 20 hours per week for each child attending.
Licence-exempt playgroups
Licence-exempt playgroups can claim for up to three hours per day and up to 15 hours per week for each child attending.
Notional roll
Where a playgroup has an average number of children attending which is greater than 0 but less than five, this will be rounded up to five.
Claiming funding
To claim Playgroup Funding playgroups must fill in and submit an LE2 Playgroup Funding form .
The LE2 form will be sent to eligible playgroups. If you have not received an LE2 form please contact your local Ministry of Education office .local Ministry of Education office
The LE2 form should be returned to your local Ministry of Education officelocal Ministry of Education office .
Forms are due back to your local office by 28 February 2009 .
Funding rate
The funding rate for playgroups is $1.36 per hour per child. Playgroup funding is GST exclusive .
Updating details
It is very important that playgroups keep their local Ministry of Education Early Childhood Education (ECE) coordinator up to date with any changes in the playgroups' contact details for the person responsible for the playgroup's funding. Any changes in bank account details must also be forwarded to the ministry. If this is not done there is a risk that the playgroup may miss out on ministry funding in the future.
Playgroup Funding guidelines
Guidelines for expenditure
Playgroup Funding must be spent with the objectives of playgroups in mind. Below are some suggestions for uses of Playgroup Funding:
- The purchase of curriculum resources and a range of children's equipment.
- To increase language and culturally-specific resources.
- Assist with the overheads associated with operating a playgroup eg, rent, power etc.
- To recruit and retain membership to ensure the ongoing success of the playgroup.
- To promote the availability of the service within the local community.
- To improve learning spaces used by the playgroup.
- To support training programmes relevant to the needs of the playgroup.
Special Grants
Introduction
The Special Grant is a discretionary grant to assist a playgroup to cover large "one off" costs that cannot be met from other funding. Being discretionary means that applicants are not guaranteed to receive monies applied for. The Special Grant may meet the full costs of what is applied for or it may provide a contribution towards the larger expense.
Consult with your ECE coordinator to help decide whether your playgroup is able to apply for a Special Grant.
Eligibility
Playgroups that are eligible for Playgroup Funding are also eligible to apply for the Special Grant.
Special Grant uses
Playgroups usually use this grant for such things as the set up costs associated with establishing a new playgroup, to upgrade security, health and safety items, or outdoor play items.
Grant amount
The Special Grant can be claimed for a maximum amount of $3,000.00.
Note: Not all claims will be successful.
Making an application
Your ECE coordinator is available to offer advice and support on whether your playgroup will be eligible to apply for the Special Grant. The application form needs to be returned to your local Ministry of Education office.local Ministry of Education office .
Applications for the Special Grant are due to your local Ministry of Education office by 28 February 2009 .
Playgroups will receive a letter telling them whether or not their application has been successful. Payment will be made with Playgroup Funding in mid-April 2009 .
Annual Grant Review form
Introduction
Every year playgroups are required to complete and return to the Ministry of Education an Annual Grant Review form. This Grant Review form needs to show the money the playgroup has received from the ministry and how this money has been used.
Process
Annual Grant Review forms for the previous financial year are due at you local Ministry of Education office by 31 July 2009 .
It is important that the Annual Grant Review form is completed and returned to your local ministry office for checking and recording.
An Annual Grant Review form is required before a playgroup can apply for further funding in the next financial year.
Assistance
An ECE coordinator can help your playgroup complete the Annual Grant Review form. The coordinator will check that the finances meet all the Ministry of Education funding rules.
Issued by
Paul Burke
Resourcing Division
Te Wahanga Whakarato Rawa
National Office
45 - 47 Pipitea Street, Thorndon
P O Box 1666, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: 04-463 8000
Fax: 04-463 8001