Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an update on recent consultation documents from the DfE and gives an update on the extension to 30 hours childcare for 3&4 year old children from September 2017.

Schools Forum is asked to note the report.

Officer Contact:  Glenda Brocklehurst on 0161 474 3947 or email Glenda.brocklehurst@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on recent consultation documents from the DfE and giving an update on the extension to 30 hours childcare for 3&4 year old children from September 2017.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Stockport working in partnership with local schools and providers applied and had been chosen by the DfE as one of the 33 councils to be an early implementer innovator;

·         There had been an issue with the York pilot as the funding for the second 15 hours was not as much as the first 15 hours;

·         Following the full roll out in September 2017 there would be a single increased rate;

·         Concerns were raised that the policy did not address the issue of unemployed parents not being able to gain employment because of the cost of childcare;

·         The maintained sector could not compete with the PVI sector and needed support from the Local Authority to maintain the high quality provision offered;

·         There were a high number of maintained nursery places not being taken which posed sustainability issues.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.