Agenda item

For the Select Committee to receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of childcare sufficiency assessment and Covid-19 impact and response for the childcare sector.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Covid-19 Impact and Response for the Childcare Sector (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The item was introduced and Members heard that the purpose of the report was to update Members on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, and the statutory duty to ensure sufficient childcare places in Hampshire, the priority actions identified and also progress made on these as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Members were taken through the presentation slides and an overview of the context of childcare in Hampshire pre-pandemic was set out.  Members attention was drawn to page 3 of the presentation slides for Item 6 which detailed the numbers of children accessing childcare through universal entitlement of 15 hours centrally funded childcare,  extended entitlement of 30 hours childcare and eligible two year olds accessing childcare in Hampshire.  As mentioned by the deputees, it is seen as a diverse market place with many different provisions and settings which can make it challenging to provide support.

Funding for the sector was outlined on page 4 of the presentation slides, and it was heard that most funding was received from private fees rather than Early Years Education (EYE) funding, and as a result of the Covid pandemic, this has had a significant impact on the sector.  It was noted that there are concerns that EYE funding isn’t enough to sustain the sector.  Members were taken through the action plan priorities as set out on page 5 of the presentation slides and pages 16-18 of the report, and the progress made with these was explained.  It was heard that because of Covid, some reviews into action plan priorities such as rural childcare, and childcare for under twos and two year olds had been delayed.

Page 6 of the presentation slides highlighted the Covid impact on attendance and provision for the early years sector and it was noted that in January 2020, there were 34,000 children attending early years providers, which dropped to 300 at the start of lockdown, and this reflected children of key workers and vulnerable children.  May and June did see rises in figures, but Government guidance for the sector asked providers to supply early years provision in bubbles of no more than 8, which also reduced capacity for how providers could operate.  Further guidance encouraging parents to only use one provider could affect sector places moving forward.

The out of school sector was explained and it was heard that this sector was unable to open from the 20 March, but from the 1 July there was wider opening to support school holidays.  Officers have outreached to this sector by webinar and to pass any concerns from this sector to the Department for Education (DfE), primarily in terms of maintaining bubbles and ambiguity in the guidance.  It was heard that work was continuing to support this sector with ensuring holiday provision for children of parents who needed to work, but to also balance with future issues such as economic downturn which could affect demand for places. 

Support to the sector throughout the Covid pandemic was explained through communication with webinars, one to one support, brokerage service, financial support to struggling providers as well as engagement with central Government.  Members noted the issues to the sector with the loss of parental income, capacity restrictions, concerns for the future and difficulties in planning for the future because of current uncertainties.  In conclusion, it was heard that during lockdown, provision was provided to all children that required it, support was continued to be provided to the sector and progression with the sufficiency assessment where possible, but it was anticipated that this would present challenges in the coming months.

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         That a different structural solution to EYE funding was needed, and also better ways of organising money to reach providers, and officers noted some Member’s wishes to lobby Government for more funding for this sector.

·         In relation to the graph detailed on page 21 of the agenda report pack, it was explained that there was a link between new Government guidance being released and peaks in contact from both providers and families.  It was heard that these peaks in queries were mostly in relation to furlough guidance and year groups returning.

·         That double funding was a decision made locally in Hampshire, which ensured providers who were unable to open were not penalised financially, and also providers who took on new children.  It was noted that assistance with these costs had been sought from Government but this has not yet been confirmed.

·         That there was concern for community settings due to them being largely voluntary in nature and now having to navigate areas such as risk assessment and infection control procedures as a result of Covid.  It was noted that officers would look to contact this sector and do some targeted work to link them with other providers who could share their knowledge and expertise, and also ensure guidance was easy to understand. 

·         In relation to funding for vulnerable two year olds, it was noted that the Government sets the funding rates for these and the ratio per child is less, compared to three or four years olds.  Changes to funding would need to be made by Government. 

·         That recently returned data to the DfE, which was currently submitted on a weekly basis, indicated that the number of childminders now open was up to about 75%, and officers highlighted that this was a promising figure.

·         That it was recognised that many parents have children in different learning settings which included early-years, primary, junior and secondary schools.  Officers emphasised the importance of clear messages from Government so all settings and parents could plan accordingly for September, and the return to these settings for children.

·         In relation to paragraph 64, page 25 of the agenda pack, officers explained that as a result of Covid, there may be an increase in schools exploring ways in which they could deliver 2-11 years provision.  It was noted that the private sector was already working alongside schools in some areas, and this work would continue to be facilitated where necessary to fulfil sufficiency duty.

·         That officers would continue to work and ensure information and guidance is understood, create self-sustaining networks in the sector, help with cash flow, identify providers who could be at risk and monitor closely, and continue to provide support where needed.

·         That recent guidance in relation to after-school club and carer/child ratio has changed recently which should help with providing more capacity for providers. 

An additional recommendation was proposed by Councillor Ray Bolton and seconded by Councillor Gavin James:

‘That the Children and Young People Select Committee asks the Executive Member for Education and Skills and Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People to write to the Secretary of State for Education highlighting the particular difficulties in the Childcare Sector in Hampshire and to try and establish a scheme that will provide payments to support the viability of childcare providers to retain spaces during the pandemic and recovery period.’

A vote was held, and this recommendation was agreed by the majority of Members.

A vote was held on the recommendations detailed in the report and these were agreed by the majority of Members.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Children and Young People Select Committee asks the Executive Member for Education and Skills and Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People to write to the Secretary of State for Education highlighting the particular difficulties in the Childcare Sector in Hampshire and to try and establish a scheme that will provide payments to support the viability of childcare providers to retain spaces during the pandemic and recovery period.

ii)            That the Children and Young People Select Committee noted the content of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2019 and the associated action plan together with the updated position in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

iii)           That the Children and Young People Select Committee noted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic upon the childcare sector and the County Council’s support to the sector during this time.