Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The report provides information on a new programme of work to support the introduction of the new expanded funding entitlements for working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years. Also, for parents to have access to wrap around childcare for all school aged children commencing from September 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Glenda Brocklehurst on 07891949412 or email: glenda.brocklehurst@stockport.gov.uk  or LJ Woodword on 0161 474 4012 or email: lj.woodward@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information on a new programme of work to support the introduction of the new expanded funding entitlements for working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years. Also, for parents to have access to wrap around childcare for all school aged children commencing from September 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

Members queried the 30-hour places for children in nursery care and the associated costs (food and services) to parents which still had to be paid. In response, it was stated that the associated costs were a funded provision for parents and was not free and providers would charge for additional services, but there was help for parents to assist and fund those costs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.