Issue - items at meetings - Provision of Free Child Care Places for Two Year-Olds in the Most Disadvantaged Communities

Report of the Director of Children’s Services (copy attached).

1.       That free childcare places be offered to the most disadvantaged two year olds in Brighton & Hove from September 2009.

2.       That the following eligibility criteria for children’s participation in the scheme be agreed:

                 (i)       Lives in one of the 10% most disadvantaged areas according to the       Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), and

                 (ii)      Lives in a family dependent on workless benefits, and

          (iii)      Is targeted to receive additional health visiting support, and

(iv)      There is a suitable place available in the scheme

3.       That it be agreed that providers participating in the scheme must meet appropriate quality standards, including having a good or outstanding Ofsted grading.       

12.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the provision of free childcare places for two year olds in the most disadvantaged communities.  The report sought agreement to offer free childcare places to 15 per cent of the most disadvantaged two year olds in the city from September 2009, as part of the city’s Sure Start early years revenue grant received from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (for copy see minute book).

12.2      The Early Years & Childcare Strategy Manager highlighted that the proposal was targeted to children living in the 10% most disadvantaged areas in the city and that providers had to meet both national and local criteria. She indicated that children’s centres currently offered approximately 100 two year olds free childcare and that this initiative will approximately double that number.

12.3    The Opposition Spokesperson enquired what the situation was in relation to Windsor Street and what would happen with that facility. She considered that teenage parents should not be left out of this initiative.

12.4    The Assistant Director, Area/Locality Working, indicated that officers were in dialog with the housing department as to where to place the young mothers. He clarified, however, that some of fund received would be redirected to what is called a preventative budget and would be utilised to take account of such provisions.

12.5    The Cabinet Member welcomed the report and congratulated the officers involved for the work carried out.

12.6    RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)      That free childcare places be offered to the most disadvantaged two year olds in Brighton & Hove from September 2009.

(2)      That the following eligibility criteria for children’s participation in the scheme be agreed:

                              (i)       Lives in one of the 10% most disadvantaged areas according to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), and

                           (ii)      Lives in a family dependent on workless benefits, and

                    (iii)      Is targeted to receive additional health visiting support, and

          (iv)      There is a suitable place available in the scheme

          (3)      That it be agreed that providers participating in the scheme must meet appropriate quality standards, including having a good or outstanding Ofsted grading.