Issue - items at meetings - Early years and childcare: Role of the local authority

Report of the Executive Director, Children’s Services (copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the Committee agrees to continue to promote high quality early years provision across the city by offering support to all early years providers and by targeting most support on the weakest early years providers and those with the highest numbers of funded two year olds.

45.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services which set out changes to the role of the local authority in relation to childcare as set out in the Government publications More Great Childcare (January 2013) and More Affordable Childcare (July 2013).

45.2    It was noted that the Government was strengthening the inspection regime, making Ofsted the sole arbiter of quality and limiting the role of the local authority. It was recognised that high quality early education promoted children’s development in their early years and was crucial to their future success at school and was especially beneficial for the most disadvantaged children.

45.3    The Head of Service, Surestart explained that in the future the Government wanted local authorities to act as “champions” for disadvantaged children and their families and to focus on challenging and supporting early years providers judged as “requires improvement” by Ofsted. A key role would be to identify hard to reach families and help them choose an early education provider. The Family Information Service (FIS) already encouraged families to apply for 2 year old funding, performing eligibility checks and supporting them to find a childcare provider. Most families self served on line and used the FIS helpline if they needed more support. FIS provided a case work service for families who needed more help, for example those referred from social work, including helping with forms and claiming benefits, and referring to specialist agencies.

45.4    Ms Travers the CEO of Amaze emphasised that it was important to ensure that staff received comprehensive training to enable them to provide high quality care which was appropriate for those children who had special educational needs. The Head of Sure Start explained that the Local Authority could still ensure that provision was inclusive and in instances where children had significant special needs provide the appropriate level of funding and support.

45.5    Councillor Wealls sought clarification regarding the availability of funding streams and application of the Dedicated Schools Grant whether this would result in reductions in staff. It was explained that ways of working more efficiently were subject to regular review. Funding for 2,3 and 4 year olds came from the Dedicated Schools Grant. The proportion of central spend was 8% compared to SE and England percentages of 11% and15%. It was noted that the Government planned to reform early education funding with the aim of having a new system in place from 2015/16.

45.6    RESOLVED – That the Committee agrees to continue to promote high quality early years provision across the city by offering support to all early years providers and by targeting most support on the weakest early years providers and those with the highest numbers of funded two year olds.