Issue - meetings

This report seeks agreement to the setting up of an Early Years and Childcare Capital Panel to consider applications from local providers to create new early years and childcare places to meet parental demand that will arise from a new sustainable development on Lowfield Green.

Resolved:

1.     Agree to the setting up a new Early Years and Childcare Capital Panel to commission new early years and childcare places.

2.     To receive a further report to consider the panel’s recommendations and give formal approval to the successful bids for Lowfield Green.

Reason:     In order to create new early years and childcare places to meet parental demand that will arise from a new sustainable development on Lowfield Green.

The Executive Member considered a report that sought agreement to the setting up of an Early Years and Childcare Capital Panel to consider applications from local providers to create new early years and childcare places to meet parental demand arising from the new sustainable development on Lowfield Green.

The Head of Early Years and Childcare Service was in attendance to present the report. She explained the background to the creation of childcare places on the Lowfield Green. She noted that from the development a request was made for an early years yield, generating a contribution of 104k towards creating 16 new early years places within the local vicinity and the request to the setting up a new Early Years and Childcare Capital Panel to commission the new early years and childcare places. She explained the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment that had been undertaken.

In response to questions from the Executive Member she confirmed that:

·        Childcare providers would be required to make a formal application. She noted the requirements needed as part of the process.

·        80% occupancy at childcare settings was classed as full occupancy.

·        The £6.5k per place was a sufficient amount per place for providers and there would be more information when applications had been received.

·        The procurement framework and process would be undertaken by the council and through the council’s procurement team with support from the legal and finance teams.

·        The types of places needed would depend on the age of children who moved into the area.

The Executive Member welcomed the proposal and updates on progress made by the Early Years and Childcare Capital Panel. He then;

Resolved:

1.     Agree to the setting up a new Early Years and Childcare Capital Panel to commission new early years and childcare places.

2.     To receive a further report to consider the panel’s recommendations and give formal approval to the successful bids for Lowfield Green.

Reason:     In order to create new early years and childcare places to meet parental demand that will arise from a new sustainable development on Lowfield Green.