Decision details

Agreed that:

(1) approval be given to: Childcare Sufficiency Report 2023-24

(2) the Director of Children and Education be authorised to implement the six actions from the report.

Recommendation 1 - To continue to support childcare providers to deliver high quality, sustainable provision.

Recommendation 2 - To improve the quality of the providers which are judged by Ofsted as requires improvement or inadequate by working intensively with them and those that deliver early education funded places.

Recommendation 3 –To raise awareness of childcare options and entitlements through social media platforms. To continue to promote the Family Information Service Hub. To continue with participation campaign and outreach in the community. To monitor demand through FIS contact with parents.

Recommendation 4 – More data collection and analysis needed to ensure sufficient childcare for the expansion in 2024 and 2025. Increased promotion of new entitlements to working parents. Childcare Providers are given adequate business support to ensure sustainability and also that they are able to provide a flexible affordable offer to families. Childcare Providers are supported with recruitment and retention of staff as this remains a barrier to expansion for them.

Recommendation 5 –To monitor wraparound childcare to ensure sufficient places are available for families. To continue to work with childcare providers to ensure parents can access affordable holiday childcare throughout the Borough.

Recommendation 6 – To increase parental and stakeholder engagement to determine how SEND provision should be delivered. To consult with childcare providers to assess any potential short and medium term gaps for SEND provision, particularly holiday childcare. To provide more support for providers to ensure SEND families can access childcare to meet their needs

The Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on the Local Authority to secure sufficient childcare so far as is reasonably practicable for working parents. The Local Authority must report annually to elected members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare in the local area. The Childcare Sufficiency Report 2023-24 has been prepared to comply with this duty.

The Childcare Sufficiency Report assesses the supply of childcare places against the demand for childcare places and identify any gaps. Findings are developed into recommendations. There are no other alternative options