Issue - items at meetings - Childcare Sufficiency Strategy

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

RESOLVED – (1) That the contents of the attached Childcare Sufficiency Strategy for Brighton   & Hove (Appendix One as detailed in to the report) be agreed.

(2)            That the development of an ‘@ Home Childcare Service’ at a full year cost of £45,000 (Appendix Three as detailed in to the report) be approved.

17.1       The Board considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services concerning the city’s childcare sufficiency strategy in view of the Childcare Act 2006, which required local authorities to ensure that there was sufficient childcare, as far as is reasonably practicable, to meet the requirements of parents in their areas in order to enable them to work or undertake education or training leading to work (for copy see minute book).

17.2       The Early Years and Childcare Strategy Manager statedthat the strategy being presented today was an update of and refocusing of the current strategy. She highlighted new aspects in the strategy, including a focus on expanding childcare for disabled children in the childcare provision and an ‘@ home’ childcare service, based in parents homes.

17.3       The Board welcomed the report and was pleased to see the issue of disability brought up the agenda and noted the value of providing childcare at home.

17.4       Cllr Kemble noted that the funding granted to the strategy would be in place until March 2011 and enquired what would happen after that. The Assistant Director East Area, Early Years & NHS Commissioning, clarified that the funding would be reviewed in 2010.

17.5       RESOLVED – (1) That the contents of the attached Childcare Sufficiency Strategy for Brighton   & Hove (Appendix One as detailed in to the report) be agreed.

(2)            That the development of an ‘@ Home Childcare Service’ at a full year cost of £45,000 (Appendix Three as detailed in to the report) be approved.