childcare sufficiency report an… · bedford borough is responding to the existing and predicted...

Childcare Sufficiency Report 2018-2019

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IntroductionBedford Borough Council is required to report annually to its elected council members on how it is meeting its duties under the Childcare Act 2006 and 2016 and to make this report available and accessible for parents.

The Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on all local authorities to secure sufficient childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0-14 (or up to 25 for disabled children). The Childcare Act 2016 places a further duty to secure funded childcare for qualifying children of working parents, following the introduction of the 30 hours extended entitlement.

Bedford Borough Council has a statutory duty to work with providers from the private, voluntary, independent and maintained sector to create sustainable, accessible, affordable and high quality childcare, sufficient to meet the needs of all parents and carers.

The report includes:How Bedford Borough meets the childcare needs of:

• Children aged two, three and four taking up early education places, including the extended 30 hours

• Children from families in receipt of the childcare element of Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit

• Disabled children

• Children with parents who work irregular hours

• School age children

Information about the supply and demand of childcare for particular age ranges of children and the affordability, accessibility and quality of provision; and details of how any gaps in childcare will be addressed

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Methodology This report provides an overview of childcare sufficiency using qualitative and quantitative data from a number of sources:

• Analysis of existing childcare provision through Ofsted registration data and Bedford Borough in-house data systems and intelligence.

• Analysis of population data (Population estimates 30 June 2016)

• Analysis of 284 responses from the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Parent/Carer Survey

• Analysis of 65 responses from the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Provider Survey

• Two, three and four year old funding data from the Summer term 2017 has been used for this report as this is the term with the highest occupancy levels and therefore a more accurate reflection of take up.

This report identifies potential gaps in provision which at this level should only be considered as indicators of potential gaps. Further work using secondary data such as travel patterns, all provider occupancy rates and local circumstances need factoring in to any analysis to identify the actual gap.

The findings in this report are organised into 4 areas, the Urban Ward Area and three Rural Ward areas – South, East & West. The map on the following page shows the individual wards that are included within each area.

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Map to show the areas of the four different networks

Riseley

Wyboston

Wootton Elstow

ClaphamOakley

Kempston Rural

Harrold

Sharnbrook

Bromham andBiddenham

EastcottsWilshamstead

GreatBarford

Key

East

West

South

Urban

Urban Wards1. Brickhill2. Castle3. Cauldwell4. De Parys5. Goldington6. Harpur7. Kempston Central

& East

8. Kempston North9. Kempston South10. Kempston West11. Kingsbrook12. Newnham13. Putnoe14. Queens Park

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Urban Area

Population 106,985 (63% Bedford Borough)The wards in the Urban area include:

• Brickhill• Castle• Cauldwell

• De Parys• Goldington• Harpur

• Kempston Central and East

• Kempston North• Kempston South

• Kempston West• Kingsbrook• Newnham

• Putnoe• Queens Park

Childcare TypeChildminders Day Nurseries Pre-Schools Nursery/Preschool in a School Out of School Clubs Holiday Schemes Specialist Holiday Schemes58 17 16 17 30 17 4

Funded Two Year Old Places71% of eligible children accessed two year old funding in this area during Summer Term 2017. There were areas where take up was over 90% such as Kempston Central and East, Kempston North and Putnoe. However in Kempston South Ward the take up was only 47%.

Three and Four Year Old Universal Funding88% of eligible three and four year olds accessed funding in the Urban area during the Summer Term. Kempston West experienced the lowest take up of 67%, and Putnoe had the highest at over 100% of the population estimate.

Future PrioritiesChildcare in this area is currently sufficient; however the impact of 30 hours will need to be closely monitored. Great Ouse Primary Preschool opened in September 2017 providing an additional 32 places. A need has been highlighted for the recruitment of childminders in the Queens Park area to provide school drop-off and pick-ups. Increase take up of 2 year old funding in Kempston South Ward. Low occupancy is being experienced in the Kempston urban wards. Settings are reporting challenges finding suitable Level 3 qualified practitioners.

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West Borough

Population 24,917 (15% Bedford Borough)The wards in West Borough include:

• Bromham & Biddenham• Clapham• Harrold

• Kempston Rural• Oakley

Childcare TypeChildminders Day Nurseries Pre-Schools Nursery/Preschool in a School Out of School Clubs Holiday Schemes Specialist Holiday Schemes20 5 6 3 7 1 0

Funded Two Year Old Places87% of eligible children accessed two year old funding in this area during Summer Term 2017.

Three and Four Year Old Universal FundingThree and four year old funding was over 100% of the population estimate with only Harrold having a lower result at 78%.

Future PrioritiesClapham Pre-school extended its building in July 2015 from 43 spaces to 59, providing a new 2 year old room offering 16 spaces.

Settings in this area also have vacancies for experienced, qualified and suitable staff.

Childcare provision is currently sufficient in this area, although the impact of 30 hours will be closely observed.

The demand for holiday schemes in this area will be monitored.

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East Borough

Population 19,052 (11% Bedford Borough)The wards in East Borough include:

• Great Barford• Riseley

• Sharnbrook• Wyboston

Childcare TypeChildminders Day Nurseries Pre-Schools Nursery/Preschool in a School Out of School Clubs Holiday Schemes Specialist HolidaySchemes10 6 4 8 13 2 0

Funded Two Year Old Places69% of eligible children accessed two year old funding in this area during Summer Term 2017.

Three and Four Year Old Universal Funding81% of three and four year olds accessed funding in the Summer Term. The take-ups varied considerably between Sharnbrook at 95% and Riseley at 71%.

Future PrioritiesMonitoring sufficiency following the impact of 30 hours will continue to be a priority in this area.

The recruitment and retention of Childminders is important in this area as numbers are comparatively low.

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South Borough

Population 17,797 (11% Bedford Borough)The wards in South Borough include:

• Eastcotts• Elstow

• Wilhamstead• Wootton

Childcare TypeChildminders Day Nurseries Pre-Schools Nursery/Preschool in a School Out of School Clubs Holiday Schemes Specialist HolidaySchemes31 1 5 4 9 3 0

Funded Two Year Old Places69% of eligible children accessed two year old funding in this area during Summer Term 2017 (46 of 67 children). Take up varied considerably between Wootton at 93% and Eastcotts at 52%.

Three and Four Year Old Universal Funding92% of three and four year olds accessed funding in this area during Summer Term 2017. Wootton was particularly high with over 100% of the population estimate.

Future PrioritiesBedford Borough is responding to the existing and predicted demand from new housing developments in this area. Stewartby was able to accommodate 20 more places in its new building during Summer 2017. Both Cotton End and Wixams, within this area, will be opening new preschools in Summer 2018 providing 40 places each, incorporating 32 places available for 30 hours and 8 places for funded 2 year olds per session. Wootton also has a proposed 60 place nursery as part of the new housing development. To improve the take up of two year old funding in the Eastcotts area.

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Quality of Providers in Bedford Borough97.2% of all childcare in Bedford Borough is graded as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. This is above the national average, which is highlighted in the table below.

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Affordability Ensuring that childcare is affordable for parents and carers is an important factor in enabling them to access early years provision. The table below shows the average cost of childcare in Bedford Borough for different types of provider. It should be noted that these charges do not take into account 2 Year Old Funding, 3 to 4 Year Old Universal Funding or the 30 hours Extended Entitlement. Also some providers may offer discounts for siblings.

2 Years & Under Average costs Private, Voluntary & Independent

Preschools & NurseriesMaintainedPreschools & Nurseries

Childminders

Hourly 5.28 4.40 4.7325 Hours a week 134 110 11850 Hours a week 250 N/A 237

3 Years & OverAverage costs Private, Voluntary & Independent

Preschools & NurseriesMaintainedPreschools & Nurseries

Childminders

Hourly 4.65 4.07 4.7325 Hours a week 116 102 11850 Hours a week 242 N/A 237

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 – Parent / Carer Survey Results• 27% of responses cited affordability as a barrier to accessing childcare • 68% of responses cited costs/ charges were an important factor when choosing childcare Financial guidance is offered within Bedford Borough Children Centres, Family Information Service and signposting to national debt and financial advice services such as Citizens Advice Bureau.

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30 Hour Extended EntitlementFrom September 2017 eligible working parents became entitled to a maximum of 30 hours a week of childcare education for their 3 or 4 year old child. The aim of 30 hours is to make childcare more affordable and to enable parents to work, or to work more hours, if they choose to do so. It is available to families where both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family), and each parent earns a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage or living wage, and less than £100,000 per year.

To deliver 30 hours, the Secretary of State for Education has discharged the duty in clause 1 of the Childcare Act 2006 (‘the duty to secure 30 hours of free childcare for working parents’) through all local authorities (LAs) in England. This means that Bedford Borough is required to secure childcare provision free of charge to qualifying children.

Bedford Borough has a responsibility to:

• Support providers and childcare markets to meet increasing demand• Support providers to offer sustainable models of delivery, which meet the changing needs of working families.• Support families to understand what is available and enabling them to access high quality childcare places for their two, three and four

year olds.

30 Hour Take up• In Summer 2017 Bedford Borough was estimated to have 1520 children eligible for 30 hours extended childcare.• During the Summer and Autumn Term 2017 1082 codes were issued to parents in Bedford Borough.• During the Autumn Term 824 codes were validated• 765 places of extended childcare were taken up with a childcare provider in Bedford Borough during the Autumn Term

Providers offering the 30 hour entitlement• 96% of Nurseries and Preschools in Bedford Borough are offering some or part of the 30 hour entitlement• 85% of childminders are currently offering, or are prepared to offer, the 30 hour entitlement

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Childcare to meet the needs of children from families in receipt of the childcare element of Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit

Bedford Borough has a 76.4% uptake of two year old funding; eligibility includes families receiving Working Tax Credit with a household income of less than £16,190 (as identified by the DWP list).

Eligibility applications are supported by the Family Information Service and can be completed online through the Bedford Borough website or by paper application. Additional support for applications if also offered by the local Children’s Centres.

There are sufficient OFSTED registered childcare providers for parents/carers who use childcare through Working Tax Credits.

Future Priorities• Increase awareness of the Childcare Choices website to provide help and advice on childcare costs • Continue to establish closer links with the Job Centre to promote financial support available

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Childcare to meet the needs of disabled childrenAll Bedford Borough Early Years providers contribute to the building of an inclusive society. National guidance and legislation such as the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Equalities Act underpin the work of the Early Years’ Service.

Parents and carers are able to find inclusive childcare on the Bedford Borough SEN and Disability guide www.sendguide.bedford.gov.uk. Currently 50 Early Years providers, out of school clubs/ holiday schemes and childminders are registered on the Send guide (December 2017).

Two year old children in the Borough are eligible for the two year old funding if the two year old has a statement of special educational needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) or is receipt of Disability Living allowance (DLA).

From April 2017 Bedford Borough has included low-level special educational needs funding for three and four year olds as part of its Local Offer. This Early Years SEN funding improves quality and access, and can be used for resources, training or to support children in small group interventions or enhance provision already in place.

There are 5 Specialist holiday schemes for children with special educational needs and disabilities one of which is out of Bedford Borough

Provision of Places Childcare providers report the following challenges when providing a place for a child because of their complexity of needs:

• Employing additional qualified staff members with appropriate skills• Managing additional costs for training, First Aid and DBS checks• Funding not covering all the hours attended (Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Provider Survey Results)

Future Priorities• The development of partnership working between out of school clubs sharing practitioners to provide SEN support in settings during school

hours.• To develop the Local Offer making it more accessible to parents and carers. • Ensuring that every Early Years provider appears on the Bedford Borough SEN and Disability guide, clearly stating the facilities and support

that are offered.

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Childcare to meet the needs of families requiring holiday care60% of families/carers required holiday care (Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Parent/Carer Survey Results)

There is a need for holiday care throughout the school holidays, some providers open all school holidays with others opening specific weeks.

The Family Information Service supports families looking for holiday care and advice regarding community activity events

Average Cost Holiday Club Specialist Holiday Club*

Hourly 4 4Daily 29.90 22.66

*Two out of five Specialist Holiday Clubs are free of charge

• Holiday care providers operate on average for 72% of the Summer Holidays • 9 providers offer some holiday care during the Christmas Holidays• The cost of holiday care varies from free of charge (specialist care) to £50 per day across the Borough

(Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Provider Survey Results)

Future Priorities• To improve the information available for parents and carers through the Bedford Borough Early Help website to help parents find suitable

care during school holidays.• To promote the advice available through the Family Information Service regarding holiday care.

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Childcare to meet the needs of children whose parents work irregular hoursThere is a need in Bedford Borough for flexible childcare for parents and carers.

• 43% of parents need childcare before 8am• 20% of parents need childcare after 6pm• 2% require overnight care

(Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Parent/Carer Survey Results) In Bedford Borough shift patterns are accommodated through childminders and a few nurseries.

• 37% of providers offer flexible hours for shift workers• 11% of providers are looking to extend opening hours over the next 18 months• 17% of providers have plans to help better meet the needs of shift workers or those who work outside typical office hours.• 7 Childminders provide overnight care

(Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Provider Survey Results)

Provision of Places• 28% of providers have plans over the next 18 months to expand the number of places• 90% of all providers are able to offer some or all of the 15 to 30 hour entitlement

(Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 Parent/Carer Survey Results)

Future PrioritiesContinue to work in partnership with Pacey to increase Childminders in areas such as East Rural and also Queens Park where school drop off and collection is limited.

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Conclusion & Future Priorities Identified• Bedford Borough is currently able to provide sufficient spaces of Ofsted rated good and outstanding childcare in all areas.

• Although some particular providers are full, most only operate a waiting list for children to register until they are old enough to attend. Some rural settings experience low numbers particularly during the autumn term.

• Providers have responded well to the increased 30 hour entitlement and changes are being planned by some providers to be able to meet the predicted needs of working parents for longer hours, increased flexibility and additional spaces.

• Partnership working will be an important part of delivering the 30 hours within Bedford Borough. Providers should be encouraged to work together to provide extended quality childcare and ‘childcare hubs’ should be encouraged by the Borough to meet the childcare needs of local communities.

• The recruitment and retention of suitable childminders will be needed to be supported to ensure that parents are able to access sufficient out of hours childcare in all areas.

• Areas with a lower take-up of 2 year old funding need to receive improved Children Centre support to promote the scheme and assist parents with applications.

• Promotion of the Childcare Choices website needs to be increased to ensure that all parents are aware of the available financial support for childcare.

• Workforce development is required across the Borough to ensure that there are sufficient qualified, experienced and suitable practitioners to meet the current demand and also the potential increased requirement created by the 30 hour initiative.

• The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017 highlighted that 24% of parents were aware of the Family Information Service and 14% had accessed the service, therefore increased awareness and promotion of the service is needed to ensure that parents are able to benefit from the support and advice provided.

CS035_18 [email protected] www.bedford.gov.uk

Bedford Borough Council Borough Hall

Cauldwell Street

Bedford

MK40 9AP

[email protected]

www.bedford.gov.uk

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