TO: SCHOOLS FORUM
18 NOVEMBER 2021
Childcare Sufficiency Assessment
Executive Director of People
1.1 The purpose of this report is to update School Forum on the 2021-22 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA), attached as Annex A, to be submitted to the Executive Member and subsequently published on the Bracknell Forest Council Website, as required by the authority’s statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare.
2.1 That Schools Forum NOTES the attached CSA
3.1 Statutory Guidance sets out the Local Authority’s statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare. To meet this duty Bracknell Forest Council is required to submit a report to elected council members on how it is meeting its duty and to make this report available to parents.
4.1 No alternative options were considered
5.1 Section 6 and 7 (as substituted by section 1 of the Education Act 2011) of the Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on English local authorities to secure sufficient childcare for working parents and to secure early years provision free of charge.
5.2 Part B of the Statutory guidance for local authorities sets out how Local Authorities should meet this duty, including the requirement to report to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and make this report available and accessible to parents.
5.3 In assessing the sufficiency of the local childcare market, the CSA draws on data from the Office for National Statistics, labour market statistics from the National Online Manpower Information System (NOMIS) and census data, Health data, local statistical data, information provided by local childcare providers, and a survey of parents in Bracknell Forest.
5.4 Currently evidence indicates that in the summer term 2021 there was sufficient childcare capacity for children aged 0 to 4 (not in school), but that the response to Coronavirus had restricted the supply of childcare for school age children (ages 4 to 16), affecting childcare before and after school and during school holidays.
5.5 Based on challenges identified in the CSA, the priorities for childcare in 2022-23 are:
· Identify and understand the impact of Coronavirus on parents and their childcare needs
· Identify and understand the impact of Coronavirus on childcare in Bracknell Forest by continuing with ongoing work to:
o understand the changes in the supply of childcare
o Identify where supply does not match demand and work with providers to meet the demand.
o Help providers identify and understand opportunities in the childcare market, and to effectively advertise the childcare they offer.
· Continue working with providers to ensure they remain sustainable and understand and adapt to the changes in the childcare market. We will continue to offer business support to those providers who need it.
· Ensure providers considering opening new provision within BFC understand the current position regarding the population forecast and current sufficiency, and work with them to mitigate any detrimental impact on existing Early Years providers.
· Improving data on all aspects of the childcare market including capacity, vacancies, waiting lists and costs. A particular focus continues to be childcare for school age children and holiday clubs. This work was started in 2021-22, however the ongoing COVID related instability in the childcare market has delayed completion.
· Actively promoting the Bracknell Forest Local Directory, which holds information on all childcare in Bracknell Forest. This includes the use of social media, local advertising e.g., buses and Town & Country, school newsletter and websites, post cards advertising the free entitlements, Family hubs and other BFC services, Job Centre and Health Visitors.
5.6 The CSA will be submitted to the Executive Member for information and subsequently published on the BFC website where it will be available and accessible to parents and childcare providers.
Borough Solicitor
6.1 Comment to follow
Director of Resources
6.2 The revenue related cost of delivering the CSA will need to be financed from within the Dedicated Schools Grant income where sufficient funds are expected to be available
Equalities Impact Assessment
6.3 Not Required
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.4 BFC will be at risk of not meeting its statutory duty if it does not submit the CSA to the executive member and publish the report where it is accessible to parents.
6.5 If BFC does not complete a sufficiency assessment; development of childcare may not be placed in the correct area, may not meet the needs of working parents and may destabilise the local childcare market.
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 In preparing for the CSA, data on current capacity, vacancies and costs were gathered from providers of childcare in Bracknell Forest. Parents of children resident in or accessing childcare in Bracknell Forest were consulted on their need for childcare in May and June 2021.
Method of Consultation
7.2 Data from providers was collected via the Provider Self Update portal, provider survey, by email and telephone and provider websites. Parents were consulted via an online survey which was advertised via childcare providers, the BFC website, the Family Information Service website and social media.
Representations Received
7.3 446 parents responded to the consultation, an increase of 125 responses compared to the previous survey in October 2020.
Early education and childcare statutory guidance for local authorities - June 2018
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/21/contents
Childcare Act 2006
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/5/contents/enacted
Childcare Act 2016
Cherry Hall, Head of Early Years
01344 352811
cherry.hall@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
David Allais, Early Years Business & Family Services Manager
01344 354027
david.allais@bracknell-forest.gov.uk