MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSON’S COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY 2003 COMMENCING AT 2.00 PM

Present :

Mr I R Stephens (Vice Chairman in the Chair), Mrs B D Clough, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr M J Miller, Mr D G Williams

Apologies :

Mr A Clough-Youth MP, Mr C Hancock, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs J L Wareham

Also Present (non-voting) :

Mr M J Cunningham

 6.        MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 28 May 2003 be confirmed.

7.        PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Ms Nehorai asked a question regarding Home Start (PQ 33/03)

A copy of the question and reply given are contained in the Public Question Register

8.        MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Mr M J Cunningham asked a question regarding Home Start (MQ 25/03)

A copy of the question and reply given are contained in the Public Question Register

9.        DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY YEARS AND CHILD CARE

The Committee received the report of the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development which updated members on the new developments in the Early Years service. During the beginning of July 2003 new strategic guidance had been received that required all LEAs and Early Years Partnerships to consider the implications of the new guidance and the challenges of new initiatives and new arrangements for local delivery of childcare and early education.

The guidance proposals included :

Review partnership working within departments and with other agencies and organisations.

Focussed Performance Management Framework

Simplified Grant Structure

Additional Capital Funding

Universal Early Education for 3 year olds

Measure Local Authorities performance against targets in Public service Agreements (PSA)

Initiatives arising from the proposals included :

The development of Children’s Centres

Extended Schools

Childcare for students and young parents

Full service schools

Home child carers

New Childcare places

Partnership working with Job Centre Plus

New monitoring arrangements and baseline data systems

With regard to the establishment of Children’s Centres, the Committee were advised that these would be built on the back of existing services in areas of disadvantage. The Centres would offer families early education, childcare, health and family support with advice on employment opportunities.

From September 2003 all three year old’s would have a free early education place. Childcare Services had been developed and it was anticipated that this would enable more parents to return to work. The Committee questioned how its success would be measured. Data would be collected during the monitoring of these new developments . It was noted that one source of information would be through childminders.

Members were assured that the accessibility of services was monitored closely and initiatives implemented to ensure campaigns were far reaching. Initiatives included radio campaigns and translation and braille services.

The Committee thanked the Early Years Team for their hard work and dedication in developing a comprehensive Early Years and Child Care Service

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

CHAIRMAN