Agenda item

To submit a report by the Director of Social Services.

The report of the Director of Social Services incorporating the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan 2022 along with a progress report 2023 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor Gary Prichard, Portfolio Member for Children, Youth and Housing presented the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment as a statutory requirement which sets out the key objectives which will help support the growth and retention of childcare providers on the Island thereby ensuring a sustainable childcare sector offering foundational development opportunities for children whilst supporting parents/carers to work. The 2016 statutory Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Guidance requires local authorities in Wales to submit the Assessment document and Action Plan to Welsh Government. The Childcare Sufficiency Plan is included in the Council’s Constitution as a matter reserved for Full Council approval under the Policy Framework.

The Director of Social Services advised that the Assessment document has been prepared collaboratively with the Service’s partners involved with childcare provision on Anglesey. The assessment evaluates childcare provision on the Island and work is continuing with Flying Start and other partners in the sector to address gaps and develop and ensure sufficient provision. 

The Executive’s Members welcomed the report as a comprehensive evaluation of the position and thanked the Early Years Manager for the information. Questions were asked about the provision in Holyhead which appeared low for a populous area, how the assessment supports opportunities for Welsh language use and whether there were any concerns regarding barriers to childcare provision particularly around costs given that this is the most frequently stated reason why parents/carers are not accessing support with childcare.

The Early Year Manager acknowledged the need for more childcare provision in Holyhead especially after school provision and advised that the delivery of an all-day care provision is planned on-site at Ysgol Llanfawr and will hopefully be available by September. Regarding   the Welsh language, the service is leading with the Taith i Iaith programme which involves supporting providers to reach a silver and/or gold standard in Welsh and this will also apply to the provision at Ysgol Llanfawr which as a recipient of a Welsh language grant will be expected to offer a Welsh language provision. The Welsh language provision and standard in early years provision has improved in recent years. Childcare costs are a concern across Wales and have been raised with Welsh Government. Factors relating to qualifications, progress and pay are also issues in the sector.

The Chief Executive commented that travelling, work trends, personal choice, the absence of family nearby all influence how and where parents and carers access childcare and are factors which are difficult to respond to and plan for. While the Authority can plan provision mapping these trends is more challenging but important as many such decisions are made on the basis of what fits in with the working day.

It was resolved to accept the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment document 2022, the Childcare Sufficiency Action Plan and the accompanying annual progress report for submission to full Council for approval as part of the Policy Framework (paragraph 3.2.2.1.1 of the Constitution) and if so approved, then to the Welsh Government.