Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children's Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families.

Approval to consult on the draft Early Years Strategy with stakeholders.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Families outlined that a child’s early year’s experiences can influence their development and outcomes in life. She advised that it was essential to provide high quality early education and childcare. Furthermore, to ensure that there was early intervention for children who a were vulnerable or who have special needs.

She outlined that the Council had a strong record in directly providing this high-quality provision, and of supporting other providers in this work, with over 99% of settings graded good or outstanding by Ofsted. The draft strategy attached, aimed to shape and strengthen the service, which supports children, parents, carers and families.

It was further noted that the consideration of the attached report was a first step in the decision-making process and subject to approval of the recommendations, the strategy would go out to public consultation for further refinement.

Following questions from Cllr Hakata and Cllr Cawley – Harrison, the following was noted:

-       Recognised the importance of early years in the borough and this required the 90-day consultation to be effective and far reaching. The Council wanted to reach communities which were commonly deemed hard to reach and the example of good work with the Somali community was referred to . Also there was a Council bid for £1.2m for family hub project which would in turn compliment and support engagement and support to families in the borough.

-       An engagement event with Somali community was planned for 29^th March and there would be events with other communities. There would be continuing engagement to make sure there was access to services that the Council provide.

-       The overall aim was to build on the Council’s existing strengths of community engagement and work closely with all communities as well.

-       With regards to contingency planning for any future wave of covid , it was noted that most early years settings had remained open during pandemic. Currently, the planning was for early years settings to remain open in any potential future wave. The service had experience of quickly adapting, moving from ‘face to face’ to online when required.

-       In the aftermath of the pandemic, there was focus on providing enhanced support to families that have faced isolation and to develop interactions of children.

-       With regards to the objective of stronger relationships with families and how this would happen, this was though engagement and reporting back on actions. Also the service would utilise access to existing forums and partnership settings to seek views on how to shape services and develop the strategy.

-       Responding to the point on the specific communities mentioned [Turkish, Kurdish, Jewish and Somali ] these were underrepresented communities. The Council were working with these communities to extend and ensure high quality provision. The Triangle Community Centre was engaging with and working with all communities. Attainment was a key consideration and it was hoped by supporting families in the early years setting, this would support them reach the next stage in education journey.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the commencement of a statutory consultation on the Early Years Strategy (attached at Appendix 1).

2. To approve a 90-day period of consultation to commence in May and end in August 2022.

3. To agree that a report on the outcome of the consultation and final proposals for the Early Years Strategy will be submitted to Cabinet in November 2022.

Reasons for decision

Following the Early Years review stakeholders felt that the lack of a dedicated Early Years Strategy led to inconsistency of approach and a reduced focus on the importance of intervening in the early years. The strategy will give a clear focus on early years and provide a distinction between Early Years and Early Help.

The Early Years Strategy would ensure that there is more focus on the developmental benefits of prevention and universal support in the early years.

Alternative options considered

To continue without a strategy; however, was rejected as the strategy will give a clear focus to improving outcomes for the youngest children in the early years and developing wide partnerships across the early years sector. A strategy will enable us to set out aims and priorities and ensure there is a monitoring process in place to keep us on track to achieve them.

Funding for early years provision could be at risk without the outcomes, priorities and benefits being clearly articulated through a strategy.