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

Documents

  • Committee Report for Initial findings from Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 to 2014 and action planning proposals  

 

Feedback
Back to the top of the page