Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Service Director, Children and Families that provided an overview of Early Years provision and the potential impact of the 30 hour early years’ offer in Southampton.

Councillor Paffey, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills and Anne Downie, Early Years and Childcare Team Manager were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the Panel.

The Panel noted the following:

·  The Department for Education had reduced the percentage of funding that local authorities could retain to support early years and childcare providers which had led to a reduction in resources.

·  That following a national funding review the maximum government funding for early years provision was £4.79 per hour, when compared to the hourly rate that providers could charge parents which was around £7.50 per hour.  There was a concern that providers would  reduce the availability of funded hours.  The government funded hourly rate did not cover all the costs of managing staff and premises to provide early years foundation stage provision.

·  Parents of foster children would be eligible for the 30 hours early years’ offer from September 2018.

·  The staff recruitment for Early Years providers was a problem, especially the recruitment of male staff.

·  That the quality of Early Years provision and Southampton’s Early Years Foundation Stage had improved every year for the last 5 years.

RESOLVED

  (i)  That, to support staff retention and the payment of the living wage, the Executive considered the feasibility of providing Business Rates Relief to providers of early years education in Southampton