Report No. 51/2018 was received from the Director for People.

Mr D Wilby, Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning, Early Years, Special Educational Needs & Disabilities and Inclusion introduced the report, which all Local Authorities had a statutory duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to complete. The report assessed the sufficiency of childcare in Rutland and identified any gaps in provision and provided Cabinet with assurance that there was currently sufficient childcare to meet the requirements of parents and carers.

In his introduction Mr Wilby confirmed that a new minimum payment had been agreed at the Schools Forum meeting the previous week, for all child care settings and that the impact of the 30 hour extended entitlement was being kept under review.  There was ongoing work to increase provision of wraparound/holiday care to meet the needs of working parents.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i.      The provision in Rutland was of a high quality and officers should be commended for this; and

ii.     Cuts in Government funding had resulted in some settings adjusting charging practices in order to alleviate financial pressures.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet NOTED that there was currently sufficient childcare across Rutland to meet the requirements of parents and carers and that the Learning and Skills Service was undertaking a range of planned activities to manage the market and maintain capacity within the system.

Reason for the decision

1.    Under the Department for education’s (DFE) ‘Early Education and childcare: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities’ local authorities should report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare and make this report  available and accessible to parents.

2.    This report provides elected members with this information and identifies that, at the time of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment being completed, there were sufficient places available. Routine assessment and reviews will continue to be undertaken by the Learning and Skills Service to ensure sufficiency is maintained and, should a potential pressure be identified, positive action will be taken with existing and potential providers to minimize the impact on parents and carers.