Decision details

Members considered a report which detailed the DfES Pathfinder Project for supporting disadvantaged 2 year olds in free Nursery Education Provision as part of a commitment to the Action Plan for the Ten Year Strategy ‘Choice for Parents, the best start for children: Making it happen’.

The report informed Members that the Pathfinder had been granted to:

·          Deliver 7.5 hours per week of free provision for disadvantaged 2 Year Olds. 

·          Provide 30 places for those children from January 2007 – January 2008 and 470 places from April 2007 – March 2008

·          Ensure that there was a seamless transition from the pilot to the free entitlement which would usually mean that children commenced pilot provision the term after their second birthday if they were accessing a three term place.

Members asked for reassurance that the specific needs of each 2 year old would be considered as it was recognised that all principles of care were important not just learning and education.

The report highlighted that the following would be eligible for free places under the Pathfinder:

·          Looked after children

·          Children or Parents with special or additional needs (includes Mental Health)

·          Children of teenage parents

·          Children from very large families (5 or more)

·          Children from families where there is unemployment

·          Children living with single parents

·          Children from the Traveller community

·          Children from minority, refugee, Ghurkha, BME or service families

·          Children whose family circumstances negatively impact on their early years experience (includes ill health)

Members were pleased to see that the project involved the integration of all the support services to aid the children and their families, and that the outcomes would be measured and evaluated to ensure that standards were raised across all settings.

The report also sought approval to extend the 3 & 4 year old Pathfinder Manager post by 7.5 hours and bring forward the 3 & 4 year old Pathfinder Development Worker and Data Administrator Posts from April 2007 to January 2007 to facilitate the development of this new Pathfinder.

It was recognised that combining the posts would provide continuity between the two Pathfinders and ensure a common quality framework.  It was noted that there was no guarantee of provision at the end of the project but it was expected that the results would show the need to continue the service.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member approve combing the management of the 2 year old Pathfinder and the 3 & 4 year old Pathfinder

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed

REASON:            To co-ordinate and manage the Pathfinder to ensure maximum efficiency