Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help to present the report and set out he recommendation from People & Health Overview Committee of 17 October 2023.

That the approach to the expansion of funded childcare offer from April 2024 be adopted.

Reason for the decision

To ensure compliance with statutory duties and any subsequent related statutory guidance to ensure there was sufficient childcare for working families.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help presented the report and set out the People and Health Overview Committee’s recommendation.

The report set out an overview of the implementation of a new national policy to increase the eligibility for funded early years education/childcare with the effect from April 2024. It also set out the implications for the council, and how it would support the sector to deliver the approach.

It was proposed by Cllr B Quayle seconded by Cllr A Parry

Decision

That the approach to the expansion of funded childcare offer from April 2024 be adopted.

Reason for the decision

To ensure compliance with statutory duties and any subsequent related statutory guidance to ensure there was sufficient childcare for working families.

To receive a report by the Principal Lead for Best Start in Life.

The Principal Lead for Best Start in Life introduced the report on the expansion of the funded childcare offer. Th expansion was announced by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget and the council would be responsible for distributing funding on behalf of the Government. Members received a presentation, which is attached to these minutes, and it included details on national changes to support the policy implementation, providing grants to new registered childminders, and it outlined the implementation plan.

Members discussed the report and asked questions of the officers. The following points were raised:

·         In preparation for challenges from an increased childcare demand, the support that may be needed for childcare was being mapped, areas where childminders may be needed were being identified, and best practice was being shared among local authorities.

·         Parents would need to earn £100,000 each before they need to pay for childcare.

·         Funding would be received through the dedicated schools grant for early years.

·         The funding received would be per child.

·         The ratios of staff to children would depend on the age of the child.

·         Local provider agreements state that they should not charge parents extra for equipment to prevent discrimination.

Proposed by Cllr Ezzard, seconded by Cllr Holloway.

Decision

The approach to the expansion of funded childcare offer from April 2024 be recommended to Cabinet for adoption by the Council.