Issue - meetings

This report seeks agreement to the strategy to implement the September 2013 two year old childcare and early education offer. It highlights a number of challenges to ensuring the supply of quality places meets the anticipated demand.

(i)               that approval be given to the strategy to implement the offer of free childcare to two year olds based on eligibility for a free school meal from September 2013;

(ii)              that agreement be given to a further report in the early summer of 2013 updating on progress with the September 2013 offer and the strategy to implement the September 2014 offer;

(iii)             that officers review the current policy for funding full time places in schools, including a full consultation with stakeholders, with a report back to Executive in the autumn of 2013.

The report from the Director of Children and Families advised that the government was extending the provision of 15 hours of free early learning and childcare for disadvantaged two year olds (2 YOs) on a statutory basis in two phases. From September 2013 (Phase 1) the government estimated that 20% of this age group will benefit nationally.  The scheme will be extended in Phase 2 from 2014 when 40% of 2YOs will benefit.

Councillor Arnold (Lead Member, Children and Families) in commending the report to the Executive stated that the proposals were in line with council objectives particularly the Children and Young People’s Plan as well as the One Council Working with Families project and the government’s Troubled Families initiative. To meet the anticipated demand for places by September 2013 the council would be working with private, voluntary and independent nurseries and childminders to achieve improvements that would generate additional places and Councillor Arnold asked the Executive to approve the strategy to implement the September 2013 two year old childcare and early education offer.

RESOLVED

(i)         that approval be given to the strategy to implement the offer of free childcare to two year olds based on eligibility for a free school meal from September 2013;

(ii)        that agreement be given to a further report in the early summer of 2013 updating on progress with the September 2013 offer and the strategy to implement the September 2014 offer;

(iii)       that officers review the current policy for funding full time places in schools, including a full consultation with stakeholders, with a report back to Executive in the autumn of 2013.