Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

It was resolved to accept the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan for publication and to be presented to the Welsh Government by 30^th April, 2017.

The report of the Head of Learning summarising the outcome of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and incorporating a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan for 2017 to 2022 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Education reported on the legislative requirements on local authorities in Wales with regard to sufficient childcare availability. Under Section 26 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are required to complete a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan every 5 years. Annual progress reports will be required to detail the progress which has been made against the actions, priorities and milestones in the action plan.

The Head of Learning reported on the key messages arising from the first full assessment of the sufficiency of childcare on Anglesey since the revised guidance was issued in July, 2016. The assessment confirms that the Isle of Anglesey generally has a wide variety of childcare in various locations across the county. The main towns all have sufficient childcare availability for children 0-4 years old in day nursery and childminder provision. All the county’s primary schools offer a childcare club from 8:00 a.m. followed by a free breakfast club from 8:25 a.m. Childcare providers are supported through a variety of means.

The Officer said that the assessment has also highlighted some gaps in provision which are described in the report. An Action Plan has been formulated to address the identified gaps and the proposed measures to be implemented are listed.

The Chair said that a lack of Welsh speaking childminders across the county was a concern. He said that he had seen the closure of the Cylch Meithrin in Benllech and added that he understood the leaders of the Cylch Meithrin in Moelfre were retiring which made him anxious for the future of Cylch Meithrin provision in that area as well. The Chair said that he had as Leader contacted the Chief Executive of Mudiad Meithrin and the Area Officer with regard to reforming the organisation’s governance arrangements – he suggested it might be helpful if the Mudiad was to consider establishing a Pwyllgor Meithrin in the secondary schools’ catchment areas. He asked the Chief Executive and Head of Learning to follow up this matter with Mudiad Meithrin. The Chair also requested that the Executive be provided with an update report within six months on progress against the action plan with regard to bridging the gaps in provision; he highlighted the absence of registered after school or holiday provision in Llangefni as a standout matter and he considered that putting in place some form of provision for the town’s primary school population of 547 pupils needs to be expedited.

It was resolved to accept the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan for publication and to be presented to the Welsh Government by 30th April, 2017.