Issue - meetings

Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet approval for Gloucestershire’s Childcare

Sufficiency Duty report (2023).

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Approve the Childcare Sufficiency Duty report 2023 and delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding and Early Years to make any final changes prior to publication.

11.1    Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet approval for Gloucestershire’s Childcare

Sufficiency Duty report (2023).

11.2    There had been a 2.9% increase in overall provision. The document looked at the standard of that provision.

11.3    The quality of childcare in Gloucestershire was high:  88.9%% of child minders and day care providers were graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. 4% (21) were currently rated as Requires Improvement and 2.3% (12) as Inadequate.

11.4    Despite the challenges faced by the sector, the current assessment of Early Years and childcare provision evidence sufficient provision in most areas of the county, with some gaps and emerging concerns in specific place planning areas. These were set out in the sufficiency report along with actions to mitigate any further risk to sufficiency.

11.5    The most significant challenge for the sector and the supporting Local Authority services would be their capacity to respond to the expansion of the Early Years and childcare offer, set out in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget announcement. The Council was still waiting for DFE to provide information about additional funding to plan for and deliver the expanded offer.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Approve the Childcare Sufficiency Duty report 2023 and delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding and Early Years to make any final changes prior to publication.