Agenda item

Consider:-

(a)  Recommendation from Audit & Scrutiny Committee

(b)  Report by Interim Service Director Children & Young People

(copies attached)

EDUCATION BUSINESS

Present:-     Mr G. Jarvie, Ms C. Thorburn, Parent Representative: Ms Alison Ferahi.

Apologies:-   Mr I Topping.

Chairman

Councillor Hamilton chaired the meeting for consideration of the Education business

1.1       With reference to paragraph 5 of the Council Minute of 31 May 2018, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Interim Service Director, Children and Young People, in response to the recommendation from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 11 March 2019 that the Executive Committee consider providing 1140 hours of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) from August 2019, for all eligible 2 year olds, rather than from August 2020, regardless of whether or not they lived in one of the expanding primary school catchment communities. The relevant extract from the Minute from the Audit and Scrutiny meeting had also been circulated.  The claim of residents supporting the petition entitled ‘Nursery Place discrimination in Peebles 2019’ was that the decision to roll out increased provision of nursery hours by catchment area was discriminatory.  The Chief Officer Education, Michelle Strong, outlined the background and national expectations in relation to the Early Learning and Childcare Expansion. Currently all 3 and 4 year old children (and eligible 2 year olds) were entitled to 600 hours ELC a year, depending on their birth date. This entitlement did not change until August 2020.  In 2020, the entitlement changed to 1140 hours, which would equate to a full day during term time.   The Scottish Government blueprint set out that Local Authorities were to determine the most appropriate way to phase the expanded hours, reflecting the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.  In Scottish Borders a priority list was created, based on the Child Poverty Index, using thorough and robust data, which set out the order of phasing for all catchment communities. This approach was approved by the Executive Committee on 7 November 2017 and the programme of expansion agreed by full Council on 31 May 2018. The Programmed Expansion Plan submitted to the Scottish Government was attached as an appendix to the report. Ms Strong outlined the complexity and risk of deviating from this approved programme of implementation as detailed in the report and recommended that the Council continued with the agreed model.

1.2        The Executive Committee went on to consider the implications of providing 1140 hours of ELC for all eligible 2 year olds from August 2019 rather than August 2020 and received answers to their questions.  In terms of the number of eligible 2 year olds, it was confirmed that the 37 quoted within the report was based on this year’s enrolment.  Due to multiple factors, it was not possible to establish specific numbers for 2019/20 which added to the complexity of the programme to expand nursery provision.  In response to a question about risks of provision of nursery childcare from the private sector and what safety net was provided in the event of closure, Ms Strong confirmed that the Council would have a duty to provide alternative placements.  In terms of standards, the Council worked closely with providers and with the Care Inspectorate in all settings.  In response to questions about financial implications of deviation to the plan in terms of infrastructure and staff resources, Members were advised that the Capital Plan for new buildings and refurbishment of existing buildings was linked to the agreed phasing.  In terms of training and payment of additional staff the Scottish Government was providing additional funding for the expansion but this was based on the plans submitted and there was no funding for a deviation to the plan.  After further consideration it was proposed by Councillor Weatherston, seconded by Councillor Haslam, and unanimously agreed that the Programmed Expansion Plan agreed by Council on 31 May 2018 and submitted to Scottish Government be continued.

DECISION

AGREED that the Early Learning and Childcare Programmed Expansion Plan, agreed by Council on 31 May 2018 and submitted to Scottish Government, be continued.