Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 10 January 2012 were approved as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider a background information report of the Head of Integrated Prevention Services on ‘Children’s Centre Services’.

The report contains a summary of the current position regarding Early Education and Childcare providers in Stockport, including key themes from the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and the range of support delivered to providers. The report also sets out the proposals regarding the changes to the support; the consultation feedback themes; the principles informing prioritisation; and planning and organisation from April 2012 onwards.

The Panel is requested to consider the information presented in the report and raise any issues that may form part of the Scrutiny Review.

Contact Officer: Viki Packman Tel: 0161 474 5709 email: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk 

The Head of Integrated Prevention Services submitted a report on behalf of the Service Director (Children’s Safeguarding & Prevention) (copies of which had been circulated) summarising the current position regarding Early Education and Childcare providers in Stockport. The report also sets out proposals regarding the changes to support; the consultation feedback themes; the principles informing prioritisation; and the planning and organisation from April 2012 onwards.

The report was discussed in the following order:

Early Education and Childcare Provision in Stockport and the Childcare Sufficiency Statement

The following key issues were highlighted:-

• The Childcare Sufficiency Assessments, which were completed every three years, were a good measure of the shortfalls in the availability of childcare across the borough.
• Together with other factors, it was often the areas where parents worked that influenced the demand for childcare services.
• Fluctuating birth rates, affordability and changes in family circumstances were some of the factors that meant the number of children across Stockport constantly varied.
• Three priorities had been identified for childcare in Stockport: Childcare for Disabled Children; Childcare for Family Support; and Stockport’s Priority 1 Areas. Childcare for Family Support would encompass vulnerable families and this topic would be covered in more detail at the meeting on 7 March 2012.
• It was important to support working parents and ensure that childcare providers developed their services to ensure each child was ‘school-ready’.
• Educational outcomes as well as social and personal development were extremely important. The key stage outcomes in Stockport had improved each year since the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in 2008. The Government was currently consulting on a revised EYFS profile.
• In 2008, the EYFS incorporated child-minders for the first time and in 2008 approximately 40% were rated either Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. By 2011 this number had tripled. EYFS also introduced a single framework to assess childcare settings.
• The Government was attempting to clarify the complex term ‘Childcare’ by introducing a greater focus on education. Statutory assessments had been implemented to ensure that younger children were ‘school-ready’.
• There was a focus on quality assurance and providers were required to ensure that they were offering value for money with an emphasis on educational outcomes.
• There had been a recent consultation in respect of the Ofsted Framework which meant that good and outstanding results were now harder to achieve.

The following issues were discussed/comments made:-

• Concern was expressed in relation to the low levels of childcare provision in Priority 1 areas in Stockport and how parents in these areas were to be encouraged to use childcare, particularly if they were seeking work. Officers explained that the low level of provision could be a result of low levels of employment leading to lower demand for childcare. There was also concern that areas with the greatest social need such as Lancashire Hill and Adswood had insufficient childcare provision and that parents may need to travel to different areas to get better quality childcare. Officers reported that support had been given to childcare providers across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider a report of the Head of Integrated Prevention Services.

Members are requested to consider an updated project plan for the Scrutiny Review – Streamlining Family Support Services.

Contact Officer: David Tomlinson Tel: 0161 218 1634 email: david.tomlinson@stockport.gov.uk 

The Head of Integrated Prevention Services submitted a report on behalf of the Service Director (Children’s Safeguarding & Prevention) (copies of which had been circulated) containing the draft project plan for the future meetings of the Panel.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

RESOLVED - That the next meeting of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Streamlining Family Support Services be held on the following date at 5.30pm:-

Wednesday 7 March 2012