This report is Sandwell’s ninth annual
Childcare Sufficiency Report for elected council members and will
be made available and accessible to parents and include the
information required in the statutory guidance. There are eight
recommendations in the report. A Childcare Strategic Action Plan
will be developed from the Report and the Actions monitored by the
Early Years Strategic Group to ensure there is sufficient childcare
in the local area to meet parent’s needs. Consultation was
carried out in July and August 2022 with Childcare providers and
parents. Findings from the Provider Survey indicate that providers
are concerned about increased running costs and business
sustainability. Recruitment and retention of staff is also
increasingly becoming a problem.
Findings from the Parent Survey indicate parents don’t use
paid for childcare because it’s too expensive and they are
worried about paying for childcare. Parents are increasingly using
family and friends rather than paid for childcare.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 30/11/2022
Decision due: 15 Nov 2022 by Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Lead director: Director Children and Education
Contact: Michael Jarrett, Director of Children's Services Email: michael_jarrett@sandwell.gov.uk.
Implications: Resources: No financial implications Legal and Governance: Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on the Authority, to secure, as far as practicable, sufficient childcare in their area for parents who require childcare to enable them to work or undertake education and training to assist them in obtaining work. Under the Act the Authority must have regard to guidance given by the secretary of State. The Department for Education published a revised Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance for local authorities in June 2018 which states that: local authorities are required by legislation to secure sufficient childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, for working parents, or for training for employment, for children aged 0-14 (or up to 18 for disabled children). Risk: If the Cabinet Report is not endorsed and the action plan not developed, then the service would fail to meet its obligations under the Childcare Act 2006 and could fail to deliver the rec
Delegation Reference: 15.11.22 at 17:00 – Cllr Hackett Briefing Minute 02/22/CS