Agenda item

The Council was seeking to increase participation rates in the three entitlement schemes for childcare: Funded 2-Year-Olds, Universal 3 & 4- Year-Olds, and Extended Entitlement.  There were different eligibility rules for the schemes, meaning it was more challenging to present an integrated offer.  Efforts to promote the schemes included the Brighter Futures campaign, the engagement of parent champions and the use of social media, both Twitter and Facebook.  It was trying to address certain myths about the schemes such as the belief that parents had to choose 15 hours of childcare or 30 hours, rather being able to adopt more flexible patterns; also, parents could choose to split hours across different settings if this was more feasible or suited them better.  There was differential take-up across the school terms given the impact of children transferring to reception classes, and this impacted adversely on the January “census” figures which were used for funding decisions.  Although Slough was doing reasonably well in achieving participation by comparison with our statistical neighbours and national comparisons, there was still scope to improve levels of take-up.  The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment demonstrated that the sector locally could cope with increased numbers of participants; childminders were being encouraged to offer options for care outside traditional working hours.

A number of points were raised in discussion, as follows:

a)  Efforts should be made to reach parents at an earlier stage in the year in order to moderate the fall-off in participation rates in the Autumn term; it was pointed out that some of this reduction was due to children started school and this element would not be affected.

b)  The provision for children with special educational needs: most settings were very inclusive and the Council had a limited fund to be able to make small changes to facilitate these places. 

c)  While the proportion of Slough providers offering the 30 hours childcare option under the scheme was at 60%, it was recognised that a number of schools had decided this was not financially viable as the staffing ratios for the care of two-year-olds was radically different from that for a nursery class. There was sometimes reluctance in relation to the other demands on schools, for example, meeting the needs of vulnerable children.  Schools were encouraged to become involved where a case could be made that the arrangement would be cost-neutral at worst. 

d)  Through the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and school place planning processes, the Council sought to promote a balanced and varied provision; a mix of different settings was seen as a better way of meeting parents’ and children’s needs.  Arrangements were in place to ensure that there was no double funding of placements in different types of settings.

Resolved –That the report be noted, in particular that:

·  Comparing national figures with percentages in Slough (5.13) clearly identifies the need to develop more extended entitlement provision in Slough schools.

·  National reports indicate that childminders offer the extended entitlement with greater flexibility than other providers. Support work is currently focussed on encouraging more childminders to provide the 30 hours extended entitlement.

·  The ongoing support for childminders includes further development of a new SEND network focussing on skills development and developing an offer of inclusive practice and provision.

·  A review of the barriers to 30 hour place take up will begin in February at a workshop session with managers of PVIs.