Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Jones introduced the report which provided an overview of an Annual Progress Report that had been produced to assess progress against the actions, priorities and milestones identified in the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA).

            The Annual Progress Report identified the action/milestones that had been achieved during 2018/19 to respond to the gaps and areas for development which were detailed in full in the report.  It also identified core strengths including an assessment that:

·         Childcare was well located and met the needs of the majority of parents;

·         Childcare was generally reliable; and

·         The majority of respondents believed childcare was of good quality.

            The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that the next full CSA was due by 2022 and work was already taking place to improve provider and parental involvement and feedback in the assessment to ensure a deeper understanding of the issues to enhance the assessment of demand, sufficiency and areas for development.

            Councillor Jones expressed her thanks to the team for their work in this area which saw children cared for from birth into primary school.  She also recognised the development of the database used which had been designed by the team and was now being sought after by other local authorities.  Members concurred with the comments of the Cabinet Member and said Flintshire recognised the importance of such care and had become a market leader in the field.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the effectiveness of the Council’s strategic response to securing sufficient, sustainable, and high quality childcare within the county that is responsive to the needs of children and their families be noted; and

(b)       That the on-going work and commitment to the delivery of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment every five years and the annual Progress Report be supported.