Paper D
Purpose : for
Decision
DECISION UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
Date : DECISION
CANNOT BE TAKEN BEFORE 16 FEBRUARY 2004
Title : EARLY YEARS DEVLOPMENT AND CHILDCARE PLAN
2004 - 2006
REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MPLEMENTATION DATE :1ST APRIL
2004
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
To recommend the plan for approval by the Full
Council.
CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT
ITEMS
2.
This report contains no
confidential or exempt items.
BACKGROUND
3.
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.
4.
Paragraph
2.3 of the Surestart Guidance 2004-6 states that the local authority is
required to provide leadership and join up agendas by bringing local partners
together in order to progress Sure Start delivery. Local authorities must ensure additional services are delivered
as a result of Government funding and take account of the broad range of
issues, including health, education, social services, planning, neighbourhood
renewal, employment and the local labour market
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
5. Relevant Plans, Policies,
Strategies and Performance Indicators:
Green Paper – Every Child Matters
Island Futures
Children and Young People’s Strategic Plan
The Local Preventative Strategy
Other local Partnership Plans
Best Value Indicator 192
– Quality of
teaching for early years and childcare services:-
a) Average days access to relevant training
and development per practitioner
delivering Foundation Stage education; and
b) Average
number of Qualified Teacher Status teachers per 10 non-maintained
settings.
CONSULTATION
6.
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.
7.
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 5th January
2004. At the end of the consultation
period all requested amendments were absorbed into this document.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET
IMPLICATIONS
8.
Costs associated with the activities in the plan will
be funded from specific grants, child care grants, and from within the existing
Early Years budget.
LEGAL
IMPLICATIONS
9.
The approval of the Early Years plan when complete is
currently a statutory requirement under s120 School Standards and Framework Act
1998, and is one of the small number of plans which form part of the Policy
Framework. The local authority will
also need to ensure that they take steps to adhere to recent key legislation
including the Race Relations (Amendments) Act; the Special Educational Needs
and Disability Discrimination Act 2001.
OPTIONS
10.
(i) To
recommend the Plan for approval by Full Council
(ii) Not to recommend the plan for approval.
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
11.
Recommending the plan for approval commits the LEA to
an agreed agenda with specific targets
and associated funding allocations from DfES grants. Actions are monitored and evaluated as set out in the plan.
12.
Not to recommend a plan for approval would infringe
statutory requirements. Not
recommending this plan would require re-negotiation of targets, risks the loss
of funding allocations and the possibility that local priorities may not
receive the recognition and support of the DfES.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
13. That
Option (i) is agreed.
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BACKGROUND
PAPERS
·
Early Years and Childcare Development Plan 2004-2006
·
DfES Guidance document on Early Years Plans 2004 -2006
Contact
Point : Rose Ward 823420
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D
PETTITT
Strategic Director
Education & Community Development
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J WAREHAM
Portfolio
Holder for Education and Community Development
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