Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report from the Strategic Director – People, which provided a summary of the revised Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) Report.

It was noted that Sections 6 and 7 of The Childcare Act (2006) and the associated statutory guidance: Early Education and Childcare – Statutory guidance for local authorities (March 2018), required all local authorities in England to undertake and provide an annual childcare sufficiency report to elected Council Members on how they were meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare and to make it available to the public.  In accordance with this, Halton’s Childcare Sufficiency Assessment had been reviewed and updated – this was attached to the report.

            The CSA Report detailed achievements since the last review and outlined Halton’s current position.  It also highlighted any gaps in provision and explained how these were being addressed. It also discussed the early indications of how the effects of Covid-19 were affecting the childcare sector.  Members queried:

What can the Council do to provide extra day care provision for under 2 year olds – in terms of provision this segment was reliant upon the Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) sector to meet demand.  Halton did promote early years provision and encouraged existing providers to expand and potential new providers to open. 

How residents from the most deprived Ward in Halton (Windmill Hill) were able to take children to nurseries outside of their area due to lack of provision – the review highlighted a deficit in places in Windmill Hill but feedback from parents and other users of childcare in the area had shown a willingness to travel outside of the area.  Parents from Windmill Hill and other areas were generally satisfied with early years childcare provision in the Borough and were prepared to travel to access the setting they preferred.   Members asked that the data be looked at again to ensure that this was still the case. 

How long does it take to become registered as a childminder – the system needed to be rigorous to ensure health and safety training and safeguarding checks were all in place, there was also the requirement to be registered with Ofsted.  Information on the actual length of time this took would be sought and provided to Members.

            It was noted that part of the Council’s CSA Action Plan 2020-21 focussed on the encouragement of new providers to enter into the local childcare market in the Borough.

RESOLVED:  That the revised Childcare Sufficiency Assessment be approved.