Issue - meetings

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People on the statutory duty in the Childcare Act 2006, to carry out a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment in order to demonstrate that the local authority had secured sufficient childcare for all parents that need it.

            The Board were reminded that the Childcare Act 2006 placed duties on English Local Authorities to improve outcomes for young children and reduce inequalities between them. Local Authorities were also required to secure sufficient childcare to enable parents to work and to provide information to parents about childcare and a wide range of other services that may be of benefit to them.  In preparation for this duty, a detailed assessment of the supply of, and demand for, childcare in the local authority area was required. There was a particular emphasis to ensure childcare settings were in a position to support children with disabilities and also support parents in receipt of working tax credits.

            Details of the timeframe for the 2011 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment were detailed in the report for Members’ information.

            RESOLVED: That

1)         the report be noted;

2)         the Local Authority complete an annual review of its childcare provision in addition to the 3 yearly Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, thereby ensuring supply of places and demand for places be monitored and findings actioned appropriately;

3)         the Local Authority, through its Children and Young People Directorate Officers, provide targeted support to childcare providers to ensure delivery of high quality provision and improved outcomes; and

4)         the Strategic Director, Children and Young People, be authorised to action issues arising from the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment through an agreed action plan.