Agenda item

(Report by Mr R Gough, Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and Mr P Leeson, Corporate Director, Education, Learning and Skills)

(Ms A Gamby, Head of Early Years and Childcare, and Mrs S Rogers, Director of Quality and Standards, were present for this item) 

1.        Mr Leeson introduced the report and advised that the consultation had received a largely positive response supporting the ambition, strategic aims, priorities and proposed ways forward. 

2.        The Chairman highlighted that the percentages referred to on page 147 needed to be amended.

3.        Mr Leeson Ms Gamby and Mrs Roger responded to comments and questions which included the following:-

·   A comment was made that it was good to see the importance of the Children’s Centres and early intervention being highlighted.

·   In response to a question regarding the gap of Free School Meals, Mr Leeson advised that this was a good news story. Kent’s attainment gap for Free School Meals was the third least wide nationally and that gap continued to be narrowed through more targeted support for vulnerable children in the early years settings so that every child going to school at the age of five years had the best start. This gap needed to continue to be narrowed when the child went to school.   Ms Gamby added that Kent was concluding a restructure on the Early Years  and Childcare Service this month to ensure that the service was in a position to deliver this refreshed strategy.  It would create an Early Years Team and that Team would feed into Key Stage 1 and 2.  There would be a programme of support to build on successes recognising the gaps.

·   In reply to a question, Ms Gamby advised that the issue of salaries that would attract graduates was largely outside of the local authorities control as the graduate targets relate to private, voluntary and independent provision and was completely independent and autonomous.  Each individual Early Years and Childcare provider determined their own salaries in line with legislation regarding the minimum wage etc.

·   Referring to the performance targets set out on page 170, a request was made for comparatives with neighbouring local authorities.

·   Ms Gamby advised that Kent County Council (KCC) had a three year Service Level Agreement with the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) which worked with and on behalf of KCC and was accountable to KCC.  PACEY made sure that the KCC had sufficient childminding where its data said that childminding was needed.  PACEY also provided advice, information and training and reported to KCC on the quality of that provision.

·   In reply to a question, Mr Leeson explained that to receive support and funding childminders needed to be registered. They were regularly inspected.  The local authority also received local intelligence regarding childminders. 

·   In response to a comment on the difficulty of having a graduate attending training and gaining qualifications whilst being employed by an Early Years provider, Ms Gamby advised that there was a bursary fund to target where there was particular need. There was also support available on good business practice and financial planning for Early Years providers.

4.        RESOLVED that:-

a)        the responses to comments and questions by Members be noted;

b)        the positive response to the consultation be noted;

c)        the amended Early Years and Childcare Strategy 2014-2017 appended to the report be noted; and

d)        the consultation responses, the comments made by this Cabinet Committee; and the amended Early Years and Childcare Strategy be presented to Cabinet in April 2014 for final approval.