Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an update on whether the numbers of three & four year old children attending maintained nursery schools and classes were being affected by the growth in uptake of 2 year olds receiving early education funding.

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer Contact: Peter Hughes on 0161 474 3947 or email: peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on whether the numbers of three & four year old children attending maintained nursery schools and classes had been affected by the growth in uptake of 2 year olds receiving early education funding.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Maintained nurseries were approximately 70% full in September with all but seven having vacancies;

·         Schools with nursery provision were increasingly facing the need to subsidise their nursery costs via funding provided for Reception to Year 6 pupils through the local funding formula;

·         There were high numbers of two year olds within the PVI sector whose parents wanted  them to remain in the same setting until reaching Reception year group age;

·         Maintained nurseries risked losing specialist staff whilst there was a lack of specialist staff in the PVI sector;

·         The current admissions process was perceived to be a major obstruction to planning ahead.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Director of Education Services be requested to include sustainability and nursery admission arrangements on the agenda for the next Early Years Strategic Group and that representatives of the Primary Sector be invited to attend.

(3) That a representative of the Corporate Director for People be requested to provide a further update at a future meeting.