Agenda item

This paper provides an update on a review of childcare sufficiency across the city to understand the impact of low funding and recruitment and retention challenges on the early years and childcare sector.

Reason:     That;

                     i.        The content of the report be noted.

                    ii.        The that Executive Member, in conjunction with Officers, raise the issue of low funding, recruitment and retention and status of the sector as vulnerable with the Secretary of State for Education.

                  iii.        That Officers contact Ward Councillors in the Acomb, Bishopthorpe, Cuty Centre, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Haxby and Wigginton, Huntington and New Earswick, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without and Rural West Wards about unmet demand.  

                  iv.        That a report on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment be presented to the Executive Member at his Decision Session in February 2022.

Reason:     To acknowledge the challenges faced by the early years and childcare sector in York, regionally and nationally and to escalate to the Secretary of State for Education to implement national solutions and provide continued support with the cost of living. 

The Executive Member considered a report that provided an on a review of childcare sufficiency across the city to understand the impact of low funding and recruitment and retention challenges on the early years and childcare sector. He noted that there were pressures due to a number of providers closing. The Assistant Director Education and Skills explained the access arrangements  to childcare for children with SEND and she urged those parents to have discussions with their local childcare settings. Regarding housing developments, she explained that Section 106 (S106) contributions were written into developments.

The Assistant Director Education and Skills explained that the position was challenging for early years settings as they were funded in the same way as schools and there were national issues around funding. The Early Years Entitlement and

Sufficiency Manager outlined the report, detailing the duty to provide sufficient early years and childcare, as far as is reasonably practicable. She explained that the Family Information Service supported families in finding childcare and that the council worked closely with providers regarding supply through the survey. She reported that  only 85 providers had replied to the survey this year compared to over 130 last year and that there were also regular meetings with providers through the early years network which enabled further local intelligence to be gathered. She noted that issues with the sector were from historic underfunding, COVID and the current economic climate. She added that Ofsted had recommenced inspections following the pandemic and this causing an added pressure on settings.

The Early Years Entitlement and Sufficiency Manager noted the current situation for unmet demand from the provider point of view and added that although a number of providers had recently closed the vast majority expected to remain open for a further year. She was asked and confirmed that the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment would be completed during January 2023. The Executive Member noted the fragility of the childcare market and the importance to give the opportunity to childcare to all children in the city.

In response to a question from the Executive Member on the training and retention of early years staff, the Skills Team Manager explained that there was a workforce development campaign for the sector, and she highlighted the apprenticeship levy transfer. She encouraged businesses to contact the apprenticeship hub regarding the apprenticeship levy transfer.

The Early Years Entitlement and Sufficiency Manager was asked and confirmed that there was early years networking and that the improvement advisor team worked closely with the sector. She added that information sessions had been provided and the sector had been asked to provide feedback at other meetings.

The Executive Member thanked staff in response to pressures on the service and he;

Resolved: That;

                     i.        The content of the report be noted.

                    ii.        That the Executive Member, in conjunction with Officers, raise the issue of low funding, recruitment and retention and status of the sector as vulnerable with the Secretary of State for Education.

                  iii.        That Officers contact Ward Councillors in the Acomb, Bishopthorpe, City Centre, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Haxby and Wigginton, Huntington and New Earswick, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without and Rural West Wards about unmet demand. Due to amendments in the data, contact will be made with the ward councillors in the following wards Acomb, Bishopthorpe, City Centre, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Heworth and Heworth Without and Rawcliffe and Clifton Without

                  iv.        That a report on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment be presented to the Executive Member at his Decision Session in February 2022.

Reason:     To acknowledge the challenges faced by the early years and childcare sector in York, regionally and nationally and to escalate to the Secretary of State for Education to implement national solutions and provide continued support with the cost of living.