DRAFT PAPER AD
(This
cross references the report to the Agenda)
Purpose : fFor [Decision]
(The
Executive is a decision making body and noting reports should be a rare
exception)
REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE
Date : Wednesday 15th JANUARYanuary 2003
REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER EDUCATION AND LIFELONG
LEARNING - Cllr
Jill Wareham
IMPLEMENTATION
DATE : 1st
April 2003
SSUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
This report
invites the Executive to consider the draft Early Years and Childcare
Implementation Plan and to recommend the draft for approval by the Full Council. The report has been through the select
committee process having been before the
Children’s Committee.
1.To consider
and approve the Early Years’ Development and Childcare
Plan 2003 -2004. The Plan sets out the targets and objectives
in the local implementation plan. The Executive/ Full Council will need to
approve the plan in order to meet DfES requirements on ratification and local
authority agreements.
This report
invites the Executive to consider the draft
Early Years and Childcare Implementation Plan and to recommend the draft for
approval by the Full Council.
BACKGROUND
2.
1. The local authority is
required to submit an Early Years Development and Childcare Implementation Plan
2003 - 2004 to the DfES by 1st February 2003. The plan must be developed through an Early
Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) composed of relevant
organisations, agencies, other local authority directorates, interested individuals
and member representatives.
3.
The Plan must follow the guidelines provided by the DfES. This Plan outlines the implementation
actions required to meet the final year of the full Strategic Plan 2001- 2004,
and outlines targets in the following areas:-
·
Early
education places for three year olds
·
Out
– of – school targets for child care places for children between 4 years and 14
years (16 years for children with special needs). This includes specific targets
for the most disadvantaged areas on the Isle of Wight and includes places for
children with special needs.
·
Child
care places for children from 3 months to 4 years, particularly in areas of
disadvantage. This includes plans for
six new neighbourhood day nurseries, recruiting more childminders, and how the
Partnership proposes to support existing and proposed providers with training,
grants and advice.)
·
Meeting
the national child care standards and maintaining high quality in child acre
and early education. This includes the
continued promotion of our successful Quality Assurance Scheme, and a
comprehensive programme of professional development and accredited training.
·
Support
from qualified teachers in all early education settings. This area outlines the professional support
offered from LEA staff, teachers and advanced skill teachers, area SENCos,
advisers and consultants in all early years settings offering Foundation Stage
early education, and will ensure that our current high standards in OFSTED
early years’ inspections is maintained.
·
Support
for children with special or additional needs at home, in pre-schools and on
transition into school.
4. These
targets build upon the progress already made in the first two years of the SStrategic Plan
2001 – 2004, which members agreed in 2001.
[Insert here
refernce to Corporate Plan objectives (presumably those litsed under reference to
Education and Community Development Strategic plan), and Community Strategy Actions (presumably primarily
though not exclusively actions under the Developing
Learning Skills Theme)]
2.
5.
The Early
Years Development and Childcare Strategic Plan 2001 – 2004 was approved by the
Isle of Wight Council members and the DfES in 2001. Elements of the plan are highlighted in the Corporate and Service
plans of this authority and feature in the Education Development Plan
2002.
6. This is a statutory plan which has national, local and
regional policy objectives.
The need to ensure affordable,
accessible childcare impacts on regeneration strategies and the inclusion
agenda, and early education impacts on the potential for improving standards in
later education.
7. As parents
are encouraged, where appropriate, to return to training or work they need to
be assured of the highest quality child care.
It is also a local objective to provide inclusive education, care and
support for children with special needs, and the EYDC Partnership.
8. 3. This new document
sets out the current position and remaining actions with regard to the local
and national targets for childcare, early education, special needs in the early
years, recruitment of childcare staff, and training and quality assurance.
CONSULTATION
9. 4. The draft Plan must
be consulted upon by a cross section of relevant organisations and
providers. This document was drawn up
following consultation with EYDCP members through the sub-groups and working parties
of that organisation.
10. 5. In addition, it was
circulated to a representative group from schools, pre-schools, out-of-school
clubs, SEN services, childminders, policy makers, EYDCP members, sub-committees
and Partnership officers, with a deadline of comments and amendments by 2nd
January 2003. At the end of
the consultation period all requested amendments ny such
comments have beenwere absorbed into this document.
[To what extend
were the outcomes of consultation followed, and if
not why not?
What
opportunity have the Select Committee had to look at this, given it is part of
the Policy
Framework?]
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
11. 6. Costs associated with the
activities outlined in the Plan will be funded from specific grants, child care
grants, and base budget provision.
Training and professional development costs are met through DfES
training grants, including Standards Fund and Foundation Key Stage grant.
12. The Partnership adheres to the principles of Best Value when monitoring contract arrangements with providers of Early Years services and when seeking procurement of goods or services. Any grants awarded to individuals or groups are subject to stringent internal and external audit arrangements.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
813. 7. The approval of
the Early Years Plan is a statutory requirement under
s120 School Standards and
Framework Act 1998, and is one of the small number of plans which forms part of the
Policy Framework which, subject to a recommendation from the Executive ,
is determined by the Full Council.
1.The
Executive/Full Council needs to approve the plan in order to meet DfES
requirements on ratification and local authority agreements.
1.All EYDCP
planning documentation complies with the requirements of statutory and
legislative frameworks, e.g. Crime and Disorder issues, and Discrimination
legislation which covers Human Rights, Disability Act and Race Relations Act.
OPTIONS
14. 8. Members are advised
that failure to ratify the Early Years Plan will result in the local authority
and the EYDCP forfeiting significant grant funding, and statutory targets and
objectives not being met. As such there
are no alternatives.
15. 9. The Early Years Plan
sets out key targets which are both challenging yet achievable within
identified budget restraints. Where the
plan sets out targets over and above the statutory minimum requirements, the
Partnership is confident that these are achievable. These will be closely monitored to ensure that risks are
minimised in the delivery and operation of the Plan, through officer accountability
for each area of the plan, overall management at a senior level, regular
reports to EYDCP executive, and regular scrutiny by representative sub
groups. In addition there is external
auditing and moderation, such as from government departmental advisers and
regional consultants.
16.
However, should any of the
statutory minimum targets not be met, there is a risk that grant funding for
these activities could be clawed back. The
Partnership is not aware, currently, of any further sanctions.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
17. Members are asked to consider the Plan
and recommend it’s adoption by the
Full Council.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
18. The
following are accompanying papers:-
·
The Early Years
Development and Childcare Implementation Plan 2003 -2004 – the
commentary and the tables (A copy of the Implementation Plan and tables have
been placed in the Members Room)
·
A summary document of the above plan (attached)
11. The following are
accompanying papers:-
·The Early Years
Development and Childcare Implementation Plan 2003 -2004 – the
commentary and the tables
·A summary document of
the above plan
19. 2. The full strategic Early
Years Development and Childcare Plan 2001 – 2004 is available from the Early
Years Unit on request. However the
Implementation Plan 2003 – 2004 contains all the necessary commentary and
background information required.
[Background papers
need to include everything which was relied on by the report author to a
material extent in drafting the report, or disclose the facts on the basis of
which the report was written – this is a statutory requirement]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
13. None.
Contact Point : Marion East – Early Years
Co-ordinator
Tel: 528645 Email: [email protected]
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D PETTITT Strategic Director
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J WAREHAM
Education and Lifelong
Learning |
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