Issue details
Initial findings from Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 to 2014 and action planning proposals
Purpose of report: The Childcare Act sets out a duty that every Local Authority needs to make sure that the childcare available matches the needs of local families. To show that there is sufficient childcare every Local Authority needs to carry out a “childcare sufficiency assessment”. This involves talking to a wide range of people and partner agencies to find out what they want from childcare and then comparing this to what is available. The “sufficiency assessment” is carried out in full every three years but updated in part every year. This report will feed back initial findings on York’s second full childcare sufficiency assessment. The report will also detail proposals on finalising the sufficiency assessment and developing an action plan to address identified gaps in childcare.
The Executive Member is asked to: Note the report and to provide feedback on the proposals for the development of an action plan to address any identified gaps in childcare provision.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Decision Made (subject to call-in)
Level of Risk: 01-03 Acceptable;
Decision due: 11/01/11 by Executive Member for Children & Young People's Services
Lead member: Executive Member for Children & Young People's Services
Lead director: Corporate Director of Children, Education and Communities
Department: Directorate of Adults, Children & Education
Contact: Niall McVicar Tel: (01904) 554440 Email: niall.mcvicar@york.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Effective consultation
is a core element of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment. To
ensure an open and inclusive consultation a variety of different
channels have been used to gather responses. The consultation
methods for each of the core groups is as follows.
Children and Young People - The last Childcare Sufficiency
Assessment looked at building capacity with childcare providers to
consult with children and young people. A toolkit was developed
that gave ideas about the wide variety of methods and approaches
that can be used. This Childcare Sufficiency Assessment has carried
out some direct consultation work with Children and Young People
and draws upon views of young people through existing forums.
Parents and representatives: Consultation channels used with
parents and representatives were:
- Online
- Face to face through FIS outreach work
- Consultation form sent home through schools to years 6, 8 and
10
- Through key partners (Libraries, Jobcentre Plus, Family Learning,
Future Prospects etc)
- Direct mailing to those registered on the Family Information
Scheme and the TalkAbout panel
- By telephone
- Focus groups - Although focus group work was carried out for the
last full Childcare Sufficiency Assessment there is scope to
develop this channel further. Focus groups should target areas
where return rates are low or with groups that may otherwise be
under-represented in the consultation.
Childcare Providers and representatives:
- Annual Early Years Audit
- Places and Sufficiency Subgroup
- Proposed consultation and planning event in February 2011
Employers and representatives:
- Through telephone survey
- Online
- Through the Economic Development Units’ 100 top listed
employers
Additional Information - As well as gathering information on the
level of demand through consultation this will be combined with
other sources. These include childcare gaps identified through the
Childcare Brokerage Service offered by the FIS.
Consultees
The following groups have be consulted
with:
- Children and Young People
- Parents or carers
- Childcare providers
- Representatives of children, parents and childcare
providers
- Local employers
- Representatives of local organisations with an interest in
childcare, local employers
Making Representations: By email to the report author. Tel: (01904) 554440
Decisions
Agenda items
- 11/01/2011 - Decision Session - Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 to 2014 Update and Proposals for Action Planning 11/01/2011
Documents
- Committee Report for Initial findings from Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 to 2014 and action planning proposals