Agenda item

The Committee received the Early Education and Childcare Sufficiency presentation by Paul Feven, Interim Head of Strategic Commissioning.

Paul went through the slides and the main points made by him are listed below:

·           From September 2017 working parents would be entitled to an additional 15 hours of free childcare per week for 2 to 4 year olds;

·           There were ongoing discussions about the duty of Local Authorities in relation to this entitlement;

·           The additional hours did not have to be delivered in term time only;

·           It was important to make the local market attractive to providers;

·           The National Funding Formula determined a £4.15 per hour rate per child;

·           The Local Authority had no formal power to direct providers to offer the additional hours;

·           The Local Authority could not increase funding over the national allocation;

·           Most parents in Wokingham were satisfied with the local provision but would like more flexible childcare, for example outside of 9am-5pm and holiday childcare;

·           There had been briefings and individualised support for providers through visits and surgeries. 

·           The provision of flexible childcare was being explored with providers;

·           The Local Authority was successful in obtaining capital funding for new provisions.  There were three successful bids for 94 places;

·           There was continued involvement in national and regional networks;

There was a robust discussion of the item and during discussion the following points were made:

·           Councillor Blumenthal pointed out that there was a gap between the market rate of £5 per hour and the funded rate of £4.15 per hour.  She was concerned about the implication of this gap;

·           Councillor Miall was disappointed that a report had not been submitted prior to the meeting with the agenda.  Judith stated that this was not the strategy, but just an initial ‘heads up’ on the initial arrangements for the provision;

·           Councillor Miall expressed concern that providers would not be able to deliver the additional 15 hours free childcare a week.  He stated that he had had conversations with providers who mentioned they would not be able to offer the additional hours;

·           Judith stated the service was looking into ways to promote the market to respond to the challenge, the Local Authority was not a direct provider;

·           The Chairman raised the following concerns:

o   Are local providers happy with £4.15 per hour?  Is this enough to subsidise the offer?

o   Have we done an honest survey?

·           Paul Feven confirmed that one survey had already been undertaken, and there would be another;

·           In response to a question Alan stated the providers had the liberty to decide to continue offering 15 hours a week, to increase the hours or stop altogether;

·           Judith confirmed that the provision was market driven, a further survey would hopefully reveal providers intentions;

·           Members would like a report containing the strategy to be submitted to the Committee, including providers’ names.  Judith stated that this information may be sensitive;

·           The Chairman pointed out that Crowthorne, which was listed as one of the places for planned expansion, was not in Wokingham Borough and asked Paul to double check.  Paul agreed to look into it;

·           Judith stated that the capital funding for expansion was from a national pot and not from Council money;

There was much interest in this item.  The Chairman asked Members to forward any questions directly to Paul Feven.

RESOLVED That

1)     The report be noted and

2)     A report containing the strategy will be submitted to the Committee for further analysis.