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City and County of Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

2017 – 2022

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Contents

Pages Introduction 5 - 8 Including the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency in the Context of the 2015 One Swansea Plan

Background and Context 9 Swansea ward map 10 Methodology 11 - 13 1. Partnership Working and outcomes of 14 - 15 consultation with partner organisations 2. Demographic and Socio-Economic analysis 16 - 23 3. Supply of Formal Childcare in Swansea 24 - 36 Including an analysis of the supply of places accessible in late 2016 via: - Registered Childminders - Full Day Nursery sector - Sessional Day Care sector - Out of School Care sector - Crèches - Open Access Play Provision

4. Incidence and supply of Informal Childcare in Swansea 37 - 38 5. Consultation(s) with Childcare Providers 39 - 114 Including an analysis of: - Sustainability - Cross border childcare usage - Workforce development and training needs 6. Free Nursery Education and Flying Start Provision in Swansea 115 - 120 7. Consultation with Schools in Swansea – with a 121 - 128 Focus on breakfast club provision

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8. Consultation(s) with Parents and Carers 129 - 174 Including an analysis of: - Current Use - Demand for Childcare - Barriers to Childcare Provision - Uptake of Working Tax Credit/Universal Credit and Employer Supported Childcare/ Tax Free Childcare 9. Consultation with Children and Young People 175 - 180 10. Consultation with Swansea-based Employers 181 - 186 11. Summary of Key Gaps to inform the 187 - 191 Action Plan 12. 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan 192 – 225

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2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

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Introduction

I.1 In April 2008, the Welsh Government issued formal guidance to Local

Authorities, setting out their legislative requirements under the Childcare Act 2006. The Act continues to require that all Local Authorities in Wales:

Undertake and update Childcare Sufficiency Assessments Ensure sufficient childcare is accessible in their area; and Provide information, advice and assistance to parents, prospective

parents and those with parental responsibility or care of a child, relating to childcare

Essentially, Section 22 of the Act places a duty on Welsh Local Authorities to secure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the availability of childcare that is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area who require childcare in order to take up work, remain in work, or to undertake education or training.

Each Local Authority in Wales undertakes their own local childcare sufficiency assessments, which are a requirement of that Act.

I.2 In determining whether the provision of childcare is sufficient a local authority

must have regard to the needs of parents in their area for:

the provision of childcare in respect of which the child care element of working tax credit or universal credit is payable

the provision of childcare in respect of which employer supported childcare or tax free childcare is payable;

the provision of childcare for children who have special educational needs or require specialist care due to disability;

the provision of childcare involving the use of the Welsh language; the provision of childcare which enables them to access their foundation

phase early education entitlement the provision of childcare which enables them to access their entitlement

for free childcare places

The critical feature of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment report is that the process feeds back on (localised) demand compared to (localised) supply – i.e.: assessing the demand for childcare for each type of childcare provision and; assessing the supply of childcare for each type of childcare provision.

Essentially, a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment should ensure that at a community level, the local authority is taking strategic action with its partners to address gaps in childcare.

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I.3 The City and County of Swansea’s 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment – and its accompanying Action Plan was submitted to the Welsh Government in late March 2017 – in accordance with timescales directed by the Welsh Government. The City and County of Swansea’s 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment will cover the period 2017 – 2022 with the following requirement to update:

I.4 For the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment an additional subject required focused and supplementary analysis: the proposed increase of the free entitlement for 3 and 4 years, to a maximum amount of 30 hours per week (20 hours childcare).

The Welsh Government have now committed to offering working parents of 3

and 4 year olds free childcare on top of the Early Years Foundation Phase – to provide a total of 30 hours a week of free early education and childcare, for 48 weeks of the year. In November 2016, six Local Authorities were chosen to work with the Welsh Government to pilot this new childcare offer – one of which was the City and County of Swansea. The pilot in certain locations of Swansea will commence in September 2017.

Essentially therefore, the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment sought to determine three relevant factors, in preparation for autumn 2017:

1. The extent to which Swansea-based early years childcare providers and registered childminders believed that they would be (a) willing and (b) able to help deliver the increased entitlement?

2. The extent to which (relevant) local parents believed that they would hypothetically be interested in accessing the increased entitlement – and the extent to which they would seek to access the maximum number of proposed hours.

3. The relative frequency with which parents would potentially chose to access specific types of childcare provider(s) for the additional hours

I.5 Additionally, the 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment will continue to inform

the local authority’s strategic efforts to reduce child poverty within the Swansea locality – including through enabling parents to access work and training opportunities and also by improving the wellbeing and (early) development of children. The local authority’s broad strategy to address child poverty can be viewed at: www.swansea.gov.uk/povertystrategy

31 March 2018 Progress Report31 March 2019 Progress Report31 March 2020 Progress Report31 March 2021 Progress Report

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I.6 The 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment has taken into account

and has been informed by the Local Well Being Needs Assessment undertaken by Public Service Boards, aka 2015 The One Swansea Plan. The plan can be viewed at: www.The_One_Swansea_Plan_2015_final_version_august%20(4).pdf Essentially, the Plan has informed Section 1 of this Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, i.e. its demographic analysis and this Childcare Sufficiency Assessment’s Action Plan will also support a number of the One Swansea Plan’s key ambitions, i.e. to:

Support a competitive and prosperous economy that acts as a focal point for the wider Swansea Bay City Region

Ensure children have a good start in life Ensure people have good places to work

In terms of the ambition that children have a good start in life, the One Swansea Plan sets out a specific vision how “pre-school years are the time when the biggest difference can be made. If children have a good start in life they are likely to be healthier, likely to be better learners and less likely to experience deprivation. These factors lead in turn to a greater likelihood of a good job and of gaining a better standard of living. All of these factors mean that people are more able to look after the environment and contribute to safe and prosperous communities”. Welsh Government legislation in the form of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 is bringing with it new requirements for well-being assessments and plans. It can be noted (when reading this assessment) that for the period 2017 – 2018 the focus of effort will shift from undertaking assessments to the development of strategic plans, (common) priorities and tackling issues.

I.7 The City and County of Swansea is required to develop a Welsh in Education

Strategic Plan (WESP) showing how it intends to develop an education system that makes it possible for more learners of all ages to acquire a wider range of language skills in Welsh. This will enable them to use the language in their personal lives, socially and in the workplace. The 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment addresses the issue of (and the incidence of) parents wishing for their children to develop Welsh language skills with childcare and early years.

Consultation feedback and localised research including this CSA will be used to

inform the Swansea Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. The final WESP Plan will be published on the City and County of Swansea website by 13th July 2017.

I.8 An initial context for the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency assessment is the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The Act requires public bodies, including the City and Council of Swansea – supported by the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner – to take action “in accordance with the

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sustainable development principle” in pursuit of a set of seven national goals, two of which – to various degrees – seem through the pursuit of a childcare sufficiency which reflects localised demand:

A more equal Wales A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language

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Background

B.I In July 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

published an updated Childcare Sufficiency Statutory Guidance which set out how the views of its informal childcare working group had been taken into account when refining the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment process – in relation to a local authority’s duty to assess and secure sufficient childcare provision. The updated Guidance can be viewed at:

http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/160714-childcare-statutory-guidance-en-v2.pdf

B.2 The revised Childcare Sufficiency Assessment guidance also outlined how:

Each local authority must produce a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan that “removes shortcomings and maintain the strengths identified in the Childcare Sufficiency Assessments”

“The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plans should be kept under continuous review and updated and reported upon on an annual basis via progress reports. Each year local authorities should aim for continuous improvement in securing sufficient childcare provision”

B.3 The Action Plan presented in this document provides answers and, hopefully,

solutions aligned to the directives in B.2 above.

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Swansea ward map

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Methodology

The research for the production of the Swansea 2017 – 2020 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment was undertaken during the period September 2016 – February 2017. The research methodology incorporated the following: 1. Core Parental Demand Survey During November 2016 – January 2017 400 parents and carers were interviewed – via (in the majority of cases) a structured telephone interview, or a face-to-face interview – about the subject of childcare within the Swansea locality.

For each of the parent interviewees, 50% of the interview cohort were known to have at least one child aged 0 – 4 years and 50% of the interview cohort were known to have at least one child aged 5 – 14 years, so as to ensure coverage of views on all types of formal, registered childcare. A consistent survey form enabled a combination of quantitative and qualitative responses to be provided by an interviewee about subjects and issues including:

Usage of formal (registered) childcare Usage of informal childcare (such as [a reliance on] family and friends) (Any) perceived ideal (formal) childcare arrangements Affordability of childcare options Incidence of barriers to accessing formal childcare (Where relevant) take-up of Flying Start places (Where relevant) take-up of the free part-time early education entitlement for 3

and 4 year olds and potential/planned take-up (where relevant) of the forthcoming, in September 2017, increased allocation of up to 30 hours, i.e. 10 hours foundation phase and 20 hours childcare

The research team maintained an ambition to ensure that a sample were representing families where the Welsh language was spoken 2. Supplementary on-line Parental Demand Survey Complementing the telephone interviews – which was the intended main/core approach to determining what parents and carers resident throughout the Swansea locality were experiencing in terms of childcare – was an on-line parental survey. The questions within this supplementary on-line survey replicated those which were incorporated within the (core) telephone interviews. In mid-October 2016, the on-line survey was posted on the City and Council of Swansea web-site and was promoted through their social media channels – including via Family Information Service’s Facebook page. The aim of the supplementary on-line survey was to ensure that

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working parents who may not have been (as) readily reachable during the core telephone interview process could voice and suitably frame valued supplementary feedback. 3. Telephone Survey with Daycare Providers and Registered Childminders During October 2016 – November 2016 a structured telephone survey was undertaken with registered daycare providers and registered childminders operating throughout the Swansea locality – including those designated within the Childcare Approval Scheme. A standard format of semi-structured interview questions invited registered daycare providers, registered childminders to feedback on issues including:

Range of services provided Number and type of child places filled (full time, part time, ad-hoc) Number of places filled by children who have special educational needs or who

require specialist care due to a disability Number of Welsh language places filled Vacancies and waiting lists Opening times, including the number offering flexible childcare hours Range of session lengths Age range of children Range of charges

4. Identification of key demographic and socio-economic issues Desk research was undertaken in order to identify demographic and socio-economic factors which will have a discernible influence on the (sufficiency of and suitability of) existing and future provision of childcare throughout the Swansea locality and its 36 wards. This desk research included a focus on:

Existing and projected population of 0 – 19 year olds resident in Swansea and its thirty-six wards

Incidence of known and proposed new housing and property developments – including within each ward

Ethnicity of families and children aged 0 – 19 years Faith of families and children aged 0 – 19 years Incidence of children with special needs, disabilities and complex medical needs

in the borough Incidence of lone parent families

5. Consultation with Swansea-based employers An on-line survey and supplementary paper-based questionnaire was undertaken with Swansea-based employers. The on-line survey was hosted on the City and Council of Swansea web-site during autumn 2016.

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6. Consultation with children and young people In January 2017, the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment research team undertook consultation with children aged 2 – 11 years. Five inter-active consultation sessions took place at specific daycare settings including:

Two Flying Start providers – with 2 year olds Two private day nurseries – with 3 and 4 year olds and 5 – 7 year olds An after school club – with 5 – 7 year olds and 8 – 11 year olds

7. Identification of the supply/capacity of childcare in Swansea

The number of childcare places accessible to parents in/aligned to:

each of the localities thirty-six wards each of the localities seven postcode areas:

- SA1 i.e. South East Swansea - SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea - SA3 i.e. South West Swansea - SA4 i.e. North West Swansea - SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea - SA6 i.e. North Swansea - SA7 i.e. North East Swansea

was identified and mapped in early 2017. Essentially (within Section 3 – see page 24) the availability of the following types of childcare provision was identified, i.e. the number of places at/with:

Full daycare providers Sessional daycare providers Registered childminders Out of school childcare provision – including after school clubs; breakfast clubs;

holiday playschemes Informal childcare provision (see Section 4 – page 37)

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1. Partnership Working As part of the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment a number of key localised stakeholders/partnership organisations were requested to provide their feedback on what they considered to be key priorities for the localities childcare market – particularly from the perspective of (a) supply and demand and (b) the forthcoming increase in the free entitlement of part-time education/childcare places for 3 and 4 year olds, up to a maximum of 30 hours per week (10 hours Foundation Phase, 20 hours childcare). The feedback which they provided is summarised in Table 1 below and has helped to inform the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan which is presented on pages 192 – 224 of this document. Table 1: Feedback provided by key local stakeholders and partnership organisations/groups

Organisation Name Key Feedback about the Swansea childcare marketWelsh Medium Education Forum

Those assessing the childcare market need (to continue) to monitor the need for childcare among parents for whom Welsh is the main language spoken within their home. Those assessing the childcare market also need to (continue to) monitor the need for childcare among parents who have a child with additional needs and/or complex medical needs.

Swansea Play Network Those assessing and monitoring the childcare market need to continue to consult with children and young people in a meaningful way. The play sector in Swansea would be keen to be continually informed as to how childcare settings ensure that sufficient play is made available and the environment provided is a playful one. The importance of play-related training for childcare practitioners and childminders should also be [re]emphasised and considered.

Carmarthenshire County Council

There is minimal incidence of childcare based in Carmarthenshire being accessed by parents who are resident in (the North West of) Swansea.

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

There is minimal incidence of childcare based in North Port Talbot being accessed by parents who are resident in (the North East of) Swansea.

Western Bay Safeguarding Children’s Board

Information sharing with the Western Bay Safeguarding Children’s Board will remain ongoing, including in the eventuality of any safeguarding issues and good practice.

Swansea Jobcentre Plus Offices

Information sharing including about recruitment will continue to take place with Swansea Jobcentre

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Plus through the life span of the 2017 – 2022. Organisation Name Key Feedback about the Swansea childcare market

Umbrella/Partner Organisations1

PACEY Cymru feedback: - Childminders will have an important role in the delivery of the extended free entitlement and their involvement in its ‘roll out’ should be maintained. - The childcare element of the extended Welsh Government free childcare offer needs to be prioritised as much as the early education component. - For there to be a recognition that childminders play a vital role in terms of childcare for children from birth up to the age of 14 or 16 if children have additional learning needs. Wales Pre-School Providers Association: - The extended free entitlement will be a key issue for the 0 – 4 years childcare sector in Swansea over the forthcoming years – particularly in terms of its financial viability (for relevant childcare providers) and how a payments system will operate. - (Anecdotally) children accessing free part-time early education places at 3 years might cause sustainability issues for the 0 – 4 years childcare sector. Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs: - Childcare planners need to (continue to) monitor the demand of holiday playscheme provision, which anecdotal feedback suggests, could be available to a greater degree. - Out of school providers can, at times, have concerns about the extent to which provision they may offer – in response to parental demand – will in fact be occupied. - Before school/breakfast club provision continues to be mainly primary school-based. - Financial support towards helping with sustainability remains a key issue.

1 A consultation meeting was convened with umbrella organisations in late November 2016 with invitations extended to Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs, Mudiad Meithrin, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA Cymru), PACEY Cymru and Wales Pre-School Providers Association (Wales PPA).

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2. Demographic and Socio-Economic analysis The Welsh Government Childcare Sufficiency Assessment guidance outlines that “a section should include a profile of the county wide area including demographics. In particular, in line with the Regulations the Assessment, it must include details of:

Projected population figures for the Local Authority area The main trends and factors likely to affect those figures – housing

developments” The guidance also advised that demographic information should be drawn from the information captured by local authorities when developing their Local Well Being Needs Assessment. The One Swansea (Well Being Needs) Plan 2015 contains a number of relevant key points including:

6% of Swansea’s population are from a non-white ethnic group Swansea is projected to grow by 13.1% (31,200 people) between 2011 and

2036, the fourth highest growth rate in Wales The number of households in Swansea increased by almost 9,000 (+9%)

between 2003 and 2013, with the largest growth in single-person households Economic Activity and Employment Rates in Swansea are below the equivalent

Wales and UK figures. Unemployment rates (survey-based) in Swansea are above Wales and UK rates

Swansea has an above average share of its local areas (12%) featuring in the 10% most deprived in Wales (WIMD 2014). In terms of the overall index, the most deprived Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Swansea are in Penderry, Townhill and Castle

2.1 The latest official estimate of the City and County of Swansea’s population (as

at June 2015) was 242,400. Swansea has the second largest local authority population in Wales and accounts for almost 8% of its total population (3,099,100).

The 2011 ONS Census reported that 26.8% of all households in Swansea contained dependent children – and that 4.8% of households comprised unemployed families with dependent children. Table 2 indicates the number of children and young people resident in each of the Swansea locality’s 36 wards aligned to the following age groups:

0 – 2 year olds 3 – 4 year olds 5 – 7 year olds 8 – 11 year olds 12 – 15 year olds

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Table 2: Number of children and young people resident in each of the Swansea locality’s 36 wards (source: ONS 2015) Ward Number

of Resident

0 - 2 year olds

Number of

Resident 3 - 4

year olds

Number of

Resident 5 - 7

year olds

Number of

Resident 8 - 11

year olds

Number of

Resident 12 - 15

year olds

Total 0 – 15

year olds

Bishopstown 61 56 99 136 135 487 Bonymaen 231 164 229 330 336 1,290 Castle 379 164 261 336 368 1,508 Clydach 282 175 251 348 381 1,437 Cockett 491 288 470 560 671 2,480 Cwmbwrla 305 221 287 367 362 1,542 Dunvant 91 93 130 213 254 781 Fairwood 83 63 99 138 162 545 Gorseinon 177 109 161 242 212 901 Gower 114 66 116 166 177 639 Gowerton 158 119 164 253 341 1,035 Killay North 41 66 71 129 122 429 Killay South 54 32 53 57 84 280 Kingsbridge 104 79 114 171 184 652 Landore 267 146 215 268 294 1,190 Llangyfelach 208 119 191 261 253 1,032 Llansamlet 634 408 543 724 713 3,022 Lower Loughor 76 53 97 131 115 472 Mawr 59 43 53 90 76 321 Mayals 52 63 87 118 121 441 Morriston 627 393 563 740 809 3,132 Mynyddbach 272 175 232 394 393 1,466 Newton 93 67 96 107 130 493 Oystermouth 112 85 112 139 134 582 Penclawdd 97 64 106 140 164 571 Penderry 643 432 567 718 748 3,108 Penllergaer 118 66 105 138 150 577 Pennard 71 57 77 126 121 452 Penyrheol 145 135 212 261 254 1,007 Pontarddulais 234 143 239 309 338 1,263 St Thomas 250 185 223 302 323 1,283 Sketty 286 211 328 516 568 1,909 Townhill 481 341 389 476 506 2,193 Uplands 290 183 254 307 342 1,376 Upper Loughor 86 66 90 119 122 483 West Cross 174 134 218 290 278 1,094

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Table 2 demonstrates that… ONS mid-2015 population figures indicated that the highest number of 0 – 2 year olds are evidently resident (in order of frequency) in the following three wards:

1. Penderry ward 2. Llansamlet ward and the bordering… 3. Morriston ward

ONS mid-2015 population figures indicated that the highest number of 3 – 4 year olds are evidently resident (in order of frequency) in the following three wards:

1. Penderry ward 2. Llansamlet ward and the bordering… 3. Morriston ward

ONS mid-2015 population figures indicated that the highest number 5 – 7 year olds are evidently resident, again (in order of frequency) in the following three wards:

1. Morriston ward and the bordering… 2. Llansamlet ward 3. Penderry ward

ONS mid-2015 population figures indicated that the highest number of 8 – 11 year olds are evidently resident (in order of frequency) in the following three wards:

1. Morriston ward and the bordering… 2. Llansamlet ward 3. Penderry ward

ONS mid-2015 population figures indicated that the highest number 12 – 15 year olds are evidently resident (in order of frequency) in the following three wards:

1. Morriston ward 2. Penderry ward 3. Llansamlet ward

2.2 www.statswales.gov.wales indicates that there were 2,517 live births in

Swansea in 2015. (source: National Community Child Health Database (NCCHD) 2015)

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2.3 Population projections published by the Office of National statistics in spring 2016 indicate the following percentage changes in the populations of specific cohorts…

Table 3: Population projections published by the Welsh Government in 2015

Age Cohort Resident Population 2017

Resident Population 2020

% increase 2017– 2020

0 – 2 years 7,423

7,533

+1.5%

3 – 4 years

5,134

4,997

-2.6%

5 – 7 years

8,142

7,953

-2.3%

8 – 11 years 10,549

10,854

+2.8%

12 – 15 years 10,103

10,473

+3.5%

Total 0 – 15 years

41,351

41,810

+1.1%

Source: Welsh Government 2015

Fundamentally, for Swansea – the population of older children is forecast – by the Welsh Government to increase at a greater rate than the population young[er] children.

2.4 Figures published by the National Assembly for Wales in late 2015 indicated

that the number of children who were resident in Swansea and who had special educational needs was as follows:

Table 4: Number of pupils with SEN in maintained schools during the school

year 2014 - 2015

Local Authority

School Action Pupils

School Action

Plus pupils

Total pupils with SEN but without

Statement

Number of Statemented

pupils

All pupils with SEN

Swansea 5,206 2,271 7,477 1,423 8,901 Source: National Assembly for Wales 2016

The same source also reported that whilst the average across Wales in 2014 – 2015 was 11.8% (of children), five authorities had statements for over 15% of their ‘learners’ with SEN. One of these five local authorities was Swansea.

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2.5 Table 5 indicates the ethnic profile of the population of the Swansea local authority area. Table 5: Ethnic profile of the population of the Swansea local authority area (source: 2011 ONS Census) Ethnicity Percentage of

Swansea Population

All Residents – number 239,023 White; English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British 91% White; Irish 0.5% White; Gypsy or Irish Traveller <0.5% White; Other White 2% Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups; White and Black Caribbean <0.5% Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups; White and Black African <0.5% Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups; White and Asian <0.5% Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups; Other Mixed <0.5% Asian/Asian British; Indian 1% Asian/Asian British; Pakistani <0.5% Asian/Asian British; Bangladeshi 1% Asian/Asian British; Chinese 1% Asian/Asian British; Other Asian 1% Black/African/Caribbean/Black British; African 1% Black/African/Caribbean/Black British; Caribbean <0.5% Black/African/Caribbean/Black British; Other Black <0.5% Other Ethnic Group; Arab 0.5% Other Ethnic Group; Any Other Ethnic Group <0.5%

Table 5 indicates that majority of the population of Swansea are White or White Other2.

2 The City & County of Swansea Information, Research and GIS Team reported in December 2016 that the Bangladeshi ethnic group, long regarded as the largest non-White ethnic group in Swansea, had continued to grow between 2001 and 2011, almost doubling over that period. However, the latest 2011 Census suggested that the Chinese population is now larger than the Bangladeshi population in Swansea.

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2.7 Table 6 demonstrates the internal and external migration observed in the year 2016, in to and out of Swansea (Source ONS 2015).

Table 6: Internal and external migration observed in the year 2016, in to and out

of Swansea (Source: Stats Wales 2016)

Table 6 indicates that in 2016 net migration (into Swansea) was +1,142 (people).

2.8 Table 7 below indicates the incidence of particular faiths in Swansea at the time

of the 2011 ONS census. Table 7: Incidence of faiths practiced in Swansea (source: 2011 ONS Census) Faith Percentage of

Population Christian 55% Buddhist <0.5% Hindu <0.5% Jewish <0.5% Muslim 2% Sikh <0.5% Other Religion 0.5% No Religion 34% Religion Not Stated 7.5%

Table 7 indicates that the most frequent faith denoted was Christian.

2.9 The 2011 ONS Census reported that within Swansea 7.8% of households

comprised lone parent (families) with dependent children – i.e. 8,063 households.

2.10 The 2011 ONS Census reported that for residents aged 16 – 74 who were in

employment, 14.2% were employed on a part-time basis and 33.7% on a full-time basis, which could be a factor in asserting (more) localised pressure for full daycare places.

Age Group Internal Migration Inflow (2016)

Internal Migration Outflow

Internal Migration Net

International Migration Inflow

International Migration Outflow

International Migration Net

All persons

9,851 9,844 +7 2,399 1,264 +1,135

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2.11 A number of new housing developments are set to take place during the period up to 2020 throughout the Swansea locality. Table 8 below demonstrates how these may directly cause further pressure on localised childcare provision.

Table 8: Incidence of approved (into planning) new housing developments set to

take place in Swansea up to 2021

Ward

Number of ongoing/soon to be completed new housing development dwellings in

ward – during period 2017 to 2021

Potential new childcare places required for (newly resident) 2, 3 and 4 years – using a yield formula of 0.31 [primary school equivalent] places per relevant residential unit X3 [year groups]

Bishopstown 0 0 Bonymaen 1,001 93 Castle 498 46 Clydach 53 5 Cockett 398 37 Cwmbwrla 10 1 Dunvant 39 4 Fairwood 0 0 Gorseinon 275 25 Gower 0 0 Gowerton 0 0 Killay North 415 36 Killay South 0 0 Kingsbridge 217 20 Landore 215 20 Llangyfelach 146 13 Llansamlet 1,153 108 Lower Loughor 110 10 Mawr 15 1.5 Mayals 0 0 Morriston 119 11 Mynyddbach 49 5 Newton 15 1.5 Oystermouth 100 9 Penclawdd 0 0 Penderry 271 25 Penllergaer 250 23 Pennard 0 0 Penyrheol 377 35 Pontarddulais 371 34 St Thomas 670 62 Sketty 401 37 Townhill 134 12 Uplands 32 3 Upper Loughor 45 4 West Cross 35 3

Total

7,414

684 potential new places required for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

Source: [of column 1 and 2 data] City and County of Swansea 2016

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2.12 The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2011: Child Index, is the official measure of relative deprivation for super output areas in Wales for children. It was published by the Welsh Government's Statistical Directorate in August 2011. The table below indicates the wards where the top 10 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs)3 in Swansea were located in terms of (a) the overall Child Index and (b) the Education Deprivation indicator as of 2011. Table 9: Wards where the top 10 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs)4 in Swansea are located in terms of (a) the overall Child Index and (b) the Education Deprivation indicator as of 2011

Swansea Rank

Child Index 2011

Education Deprivation

1 Townhill[’s] SOA [rank] 15 Penderry [ward] SOA 1 2 Townhill SOA 3 Townhill SOA 1 3 Penderry SOA 1 Townhill SOA 3 4 Townhill SOA 2 Penderry SOA 7 5 Bonymaen SOA 1 Townhill SOA 6 6 Penderry SOA 3 Townhill SOA 5 7 Mynyddbach SOA 1 Mynyddbach SOA 1 8 Castle SOA 8 Penderry SOA 5 9 Penderry SOA 4 Penderry SOA 3 10 Morriston SOA 7 Castle SOA 2

2.13 In terms of the number of low income families with dependent children, in 2011

the Welsh Assembly Government Statistical Directorate reported that 25.2% of children aged 0 – 18 years were resident within Swansea-located households that were in receipt of income related benefits. This was 1.6% lower than the percentage for Wales as a whole.

2.14 The 2011 ONS Census determined that 11.4% of the population of Swansea

were able to speak Welsh. Mawr was the ward with the highest percentage of residents who could speak, read and write Welsh, although the proportion had fallen to 29.3% (from 2001), whilst the Townhill ward accounted for the lowest proportion (3.7%). The ward with the lowest number of residents who could speak, read and write Welsh was Killay South (101) while Llansamlet ward accounted for the highest number of residents with all of these skills (1,367).

Another source of statistical information on the Welsh language is the National Survey for Wales – a large-scale survey of (a sample of almost 15,000) people, undertaken by the Welsh Government. For the 2012 – 2013 survey, 16% of respondents in Swansea stated that they could speak Welsh compared to the Wales average of 24%.

3 Lower Layer SOAs were built using 2001 Census data from groups of Output Areas (typically four to six) and have been updated following the 2011 Census. They have an average of roughly 1,500 residents and 650 households. 4 Lower Layer SOAs were built using 2001 Census data from groups of Output Areas (typically four to six) and have been updated following the 2011 Census. They have an average of roughly 1,500 residents and 650 households. 5 i.e. the Townhill ward’s most deprived Super Output Area.

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3. Supply of Formal Childcare in Swansea

The following section presents the fundamental supply of childcare provision/places across the Swansea local authority area, as of late 2016. Tables 10 – 18, pages 24 – 36, present information aligned to the Welsh Government CSA Guidance. However, the section opens with a fundamental presentation of the supply of the five key forms of formal childcare which were accessible to families in Swansea in late 2016. It also contains a comparison to the availability of formal provision in 2014. 3.1 Table 10: Summary of key forms of formal registered6 childcare accessible

throughout Swansea in autumn 2016 and a comparison to supply in 2014

Type of formal childcare

Number of

registered providers

2014

Number of


2016

Number of

registered places 2014

Number of


Change in number of

Places

Full Daycare sector

35 36

1,700

1,811

+111

Sessional Daycare sector

33 37

773

932

+159

Registered Childminders

134 111

703

771

+68

After School Clubs

28 27

805

899

+94

Holiday Playschemes

17 14

537

441

-96

Total 247

225 4,518

4,854 +336

Table 10 indicates that since spring 2014 there has been a net increase of 336 registered childcare places across the locality, particularly for the sessional daycare sector, which is attributable – in the main – to the continued growth in Swansea of the Flying Start programme.

6 It should be noted that CSSIW amended registration criteria in 2016 to cover children up to the age of 12 years.

This has contributed to the net increase in the capacity of childminders.

25

Fundamentally, For the 2014 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, the number of full daycare providers denoted was 35 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently 1,700.

In comparison…

The number of full daycare providers operating in autumn 2016 was 36 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently (an increased) 1,811.

For the 2014 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, the number of sessional daycare providers denoted was 33 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently 773.

In comparison…

The number of sessional daycare providers operating in autumn 2016 was 37 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently (an increased) 932. For the 2014 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, the number of out of school childcare providers denoted was 28 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently 805.

In comparison…

The number of out of school childcare providers operating in autumn 2016 was 27 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently (an increased) 899. For the 2014 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, the number of holiday playschemes denoted was 17 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently 537.

In comparison…

The number of holiday playschemes operating in autumn 2016 was 14 and the number of places accessible at these providers was evidently 441.

Finally, for the 2014 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, the number of registered childminders denoted was 134 and the number of places accessible with these individuals was evidently 703.

In comparison…

The number of registered childminders operating in autumn 2016 was 111

and the number of places accessible with these individuals was evidently (an increased) 771.

26

3.2 Table 11 indicates the number of places with two additional forms of childcare provision in Swansea, in late 2016: (a) the one crèche provider and (b) the four Open Access Play Provision settings.

Table 11: Summary of provision at additional forms of childcare provision throughout Swansea in autumn 2016 and a comparison to supply in 2014

Type of formal childcare

Number of


2014

Number of


2016

Number of


Number of


Change in number of

Places

Crèche

2

1 [SA4]

23

11

-12

Open Access Play Provision

4

4

330

330

0

3.3 In March 2017 there were 34 childcare providers which were on CCSIW’s

voluntary suspended list: 31 childminders and 3 out of school childcare providers.

3.4 Table 12 demonstrates the number of providers and number of places for each

core type of childcare provision aligned to Swansea postcode areas SA1 – SA7/broad geographical areas.

Table 12: Number of providers and number of places for each core type of childcare provision aligned to the Swansea postcode areas SA1 – SA7

Type of core childcare provider

SA1 South East

Swansea

SA2 South

Central Swansea

SA3 South West

Swansea

SA4 North West

Swansea

SA5 North

Central Swansea

SA6 North

Swansea

SA7 North East

Swansea

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of P

lace

s


9

57

18

127

14

84

22

173

13

79

20

149

15

102

Full Daycare

6

216

7

356

3

127

9

358

2

119

5

468

4

167

Sessional Daycare

9

243

4

104

6

147

3

82

7

222

7

122

1

12

After School Club

2

62

6

265

6

167

6

190

5

159

1

32

1

24

Holiday Playschemes

2

100

3

66

3

104

1

40

1

36

3

77

1

18

Totals

28

678

38

918

32

629

41

843

28

615

36

848

22

323

27

Table 12 indicates that in late 2016, with regard to the key metric of (the availability of) childcare places:

Approximately 14% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the South East vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

Approximately 19% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the South Central vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

Approximately 13% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the South West vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

Approximately 17% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the North West vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

Approximately 13% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the North Central vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

Approximately 17% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the Northern vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

Approximately 7% of registered childcare provision was located in and accessible in the North East vicinity of the City and Council of Swansea local authority area

28

3.5 Table 13: Number of providers and number of places for each core type of childcare provision aligned to the 36 Swansea wards

Bishops

town

Bonymaen Castle Clydach Cockett Cwmbwrla Dunvant Fairwood Gorseinon Gower Gowerton Killay North

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces


0

0

5

32

0

0

4

27

6

30

3

22

2

13

2

16

2

28

3

22

3

18

3

18

Full Daycare

1

63

0

0

2

80

0

0

2

119

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

132

0

0

2

87

0

0

Sessional Daycare

0

0

1

16

3

80

3

56

1

40

1

24

1

50

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

After School Club

1

24

0

0

1

32

0

0

2

59

0

0

1

50

1

32

1

24

0

0

0

0

1

24

Holiday Playschemes

0

0

0

0

1

70

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

16

0

0

0

0

Killay South

Kingsbridge Landore Llangyfelach Llansamlet Lower Loughor

Mawr Mayals Morriston Mynyddbach Newton Oystermouth

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces


2

20

1

8

0

0

1

27

14

97

1

6

0

0

1

6

15

110

4

30

4

25

2

10

Full Daycare

1

19

5

291

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

204

1

121

0

0

1

32

Sessional Daycare

1

15

0

0

2

48

1

50

1

12

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

18

3

44

0

0

1

16

After School Club

0

0

1

32

0

0

0

0

1

24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

32

0

0

1

16

Holiday Playschemes

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

48

1

29

0

0

1

64

29

Penclawdd Penderry Penllergaer Pennard Penyrheol Pontarddulais St Thomas

Sketty Townhill Uplands Upper Loughor

West Cross

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces

No.

of

Pro

vide

rs

No.

of

Pla

ces


2

27

2

11

1

6

0

0

4

32

1

5

3

20

4

63

1

4

1

5

4

32

4

21

Full Daycare

1

37

0

0

1

29

1

32

0

0

1

73

1

42

1

156

1

49

1

226

0

0

0

0

Sessional Daycare

0

0

4

128

1

50

0

0

1

20

1

12

1

20

1

24

3

123

1

15

0

0

4

71

After School Club

0

0

1

100

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

72

0

0

1

40

1

90

3

151

1

30

3

67

Holiday Playschemes

0

0

1

36

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

40

0

0

2

58

1

30

1

8

0

0

1

24

From the perspective of individual wards, it can be noted that… …the following three wards accounted for the highest number of places with registered childminders:

1. Morriston ward (110) and the bordering… 2. Llansamlet ward (97) 3. Sketty ward (63)

…the following three wards accounted for the highest number of places with full daycare providers:

1. Llansamlet ward (291) 2. Uplands ward (226) 3. Morriston ward (204)

…the following three wards accounted for the highest number of places with sessional daycare providers:

1. Penderry ward (128) 2. Townhill ward (123) and the bordering… 3. Castle ward (80)

30

…the following three wards accounted for the highest number of places with after school clubs:

1. Uplands ward (151) 2. Penderry ward (100) 3. Townhill ward (90)

…the following three wards accounted for the highest number of places with holiday playschemes (and therefore tends to be relatively higher incidence of supply in South and South East Swansea):

1. Castle ward (70) 2. Oystermouth ward (64) 3. Morriston ward (48)

31

3.6 Table 14 outlines additional metrics aligned to the key types of registered and unregistered/approved childcare provision in Swansea in late 2016 and the specific provisions offered.

Table 14: Incidence of childcare services offered by broad types/sectors

Childcare Type

Number of Registered

Providers

Number of Unregistered/

Approved Providers

Specific Childcare Services Offered

Approximate Percentage providing

[Source = CSA 2017 Providers

Survey]


Unregistered/ Approved Provision

Childminder 111 n/a Full day care throughout the year 90% n/a Half day care throughout the year 36% n/a Before school 88% n/a After school 88% n/a Wrap Around 76% n/a Holiday Provision 60% n/a Other 4% n/a

Full Day Care 36 n/a Full day nursery throughout the year 80% n/a Half day nursery throughout the year 76% n/a Before school 60% n/a Morning Playgroup/ Cylch Meithrin 0 n/a

Afternoon Playgroup/ Cylch Meithrin 0 n/a After school 67% n/a Wrap Around 56% n/a Lunch 4% n/a Holiday Provision 60% n/a Crèche 3% n/a Other 2% n/a

32

Childcare Type

Number of Registered

Providers

Number of Unregistered/

Approved Providers

Specific Childcare Services Offered


[Source = CSA 2017 Providers

Survey]


Unregistered/ Approved Provision

Sessional Day Care

37 n/a Morning Playgroup/ Cylch Meithrin 80% n/a Afternoon Playgroup/ Cylch Meithrin 80% n/a Wrap Around 32% n/a Lunch 0 n/a Other 0 n/a

Crèches 1 n/a Operates Full Day 100% n/a Operates Mornings 0 n/a Operates Afternoons 0 n/a Holiday Provision 100% n/a Other 0 n/a

Out of School Childcare

27 n/a Before School 7.5% n/a After School 100% n/a Holiday Provision 60% n/a Playscheme sessions 0 n/a Other 0 n/a


4 n/a Before School 0 n/a After School 100% n/a Holiday Provision 50% n/a Playscheme sessions 100% n/a Other 0 n/a

Classified as ‘Nanny’

0 0 Full day care throughout the year n/a n/a Half day care through out the year n/a n/a Before school n/a n/a After school n/a n/a Wrap around n/a n/a

Totals 216

33

3.7 Table 15 outlines how the evident term-time supply of childcare across the Swansea locality relates to (a) daily capacity (b) occupancy levels and (c) number of term-time places evidently required (aligned to the number of children accessing the provision plus the number of children on waiting lists – in late 2016).

Table 15: Approximation of number of term-time childcare places required in late 2016 (source: Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey)

Term Time Broad Childcare Type

Places as per registration

Maximum capacity of

childcare places available daily

Approximate number of children evidently

accessing such childcare type In late 2016

Evident number of Vacancies

Evident number of children on Waiting List

Estimated number of

childcare places required

Childminder 771 771 circa 674 c97 13 c690 Full Day Nursery 1,811 1,811 c2,000 c434 27 c2,030 Sessional Day Care 932 932 c915 c20 c30 c945 Crèches 11 11 c10/day 0 0 C11 Out of School Care 1,340 1,340 c1,480 c220 c41 c1,520 OA Play Provision 330 330 330 0 0 c330

34

3.8 Table 16 outlines how the evident term-time supply of exempted and approved childcare provision across the Swansea locality relates to (a) daily capacity (b) occupancy levels and (c) number of term-time places evidently required (aligned to the number of children accessing the provision plus the number of children on waiting lists – in late 2016).

Table 16: Approximation of number of term-time exempted and approved childcare places required in late 2016 (source: Swansea CSA Informal Childcare Providers Survey)

Term Time Broad Childcare Type

Places as

per registration

Maximum capacity of childcare places

available daily


accessing such childcare type in late 2016



Estimated number of


[10] Home Childcarers 24 24 circa28 c3 0 c28 Childminder n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Day Care n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Full Day Nursery n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Sessional Day Care n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Crèches n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Out of School Care n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a OA Play Provision n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Nanny n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

35

3.9 Table 17 outlines how the evident (summer 2016) holiday-time supply of childcare across the Swansea locality relates to (a) daily capacity (b) occupancy levels and (c) number of term-time places evidently required (aligned to the number of children accessing the provision plus the number of children on waiting lists).

Table 17: Approximation of number of holiday-time childcare places required in late 2016 (source: Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey)

Holiday Time Broad Childcare Type

Places as per registration

Maximum capacity of

childcare places available daily

Approximate number of children

evidently accessing such childcare type

in summer 2016



Estimated number of


Childminder

771

771

circa 674

c97

13

c690

14 Holiday Playscheme/Clubs

441

441

c450

0

0

c450

OA Play Provision

220

220

c220

0

0

c220

36

3.10 Table 18 outlines how the evident holiday-time supply of exempted and approved childcare provision across the Swansea locality relates to (a) daily capacity (b) occupancy levels and (c) number of term-time places evidently required (aligned to the number of children accessing the provision plus the number of children on waiting lists – in late 2016).

Table 18: Approximation of number of holiday-time exempted and approved childcare places required in late 2016 (source: Swansea CSA Informal Childcare Providers Survey)

Holiday Time Broad Childcare Type

Places as

per registration

Maximum capacity of childcare places

available daily


accessing such childcare type in late 2016



Estimated number of


[10] Home Childcarers 24 24 circa28 c3 0 c28 Childminder n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Day Care n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Full Day Nursery n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Sessional Day Care n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Crèches n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Out of School Care n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a OA Play Provision n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Nanny n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

37

4. Incidence of and supply of [non-school based7] Informal Childcare in Swansea For the 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, the City and County of Swansea undertook structured telephone interviews with the following members of the locality’s informal/unregistered (with CSSIW) childcare family:

1. Approved Childcare Providers i.e. (referred to in Swansea as) home childcarers8 2. Playschemes that are convened at Swansea-based Leisure Centres

These interviews were undertaken in November 2016. 4.1 At late November 2016, the following provision evidently existed in Swansea

among (a) Approved Childcare Providers i.e. home childcarers and (b) playschemes that are convened at Swansea-based Leisure Centres, which tended to operate during the school holidays alongside (in some cases) an element of term-time provision – and which tended to have a sports-based theme – see Table 19.

Table 19: Informal childcare provision, in Swansea, in late November 2016 with

(a) Approved Childcare Providers i.e. home childcarers and (b) playschemes that are convened at Swansea-based Leisure Centres

Postcode Area Number of

Approved Childcare Providers

Number of places with Approved Childcare Providers

Number of Playschemes convened

at local Leisure Centres

Number of places with Playschemes convened

at local Leisure Centres

SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 2 3 1 35* SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 4 9 0 0 SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 1 2 1 40* SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 1 4 2 72** SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 2 6 1 11** SA6 i.e. North Swansea 0 0 1 56* SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 0 0 0 0

Totals 10 24 6 214 * = school holidays only ** = school holidays and term-times

Table 19 above indicates that the locality which accounted for the highest incidence of such informal childcare provision with (a) home childcarers and (b) playschemes that are convened at Swansea-based Leisure Centres was the SA4 postcode area of (North West) Swansea. The locality which accounted for

7 For details on school-based informal childcare see Section 7, page 121. 8 Further details can be viewed at: http://cssiw.org.uk/providingacareservice/nannies/?lang=en

38

the lowest incidence of informal childcare provision with (a) home childcarers and (b) playschemes that are convened at Swansea-based Leisure Centres was the SA7 postcode area of (North East) Swansea.

4.2 Additional key feedback from the two types of Swansea-based informal/unregistered childcare providers included:

64% of such providers offered term-time provision and 90% offered provision during the school holidays

Two of the informal childcare providers offered weekend places – both of whom were Approved (home) Childcare Providers

66% of the Approved (home) Childcare Providers were evidently providing a drop-off service and/or a pick-up service

The most frequent language-medium provided was English (64%), followed by English with some Welsh language elements (28%)

For the Approved (home) Childcare Providers, the average hourly fee was £7.16. For the six-Leisure Centre-based (holiday) playschemes the average hourly fee was £1.84

35% of the informal childcare providers believed demand for their provision would be: higher – though not significantly over the next two years. None of the informal childcare providers felt that demand would be: significantly lower

In terms of sustainability, informal childcare providers were asked: how long they expected to continue to provide childcare. Most frequently (58%), stated that they were expecting to be providing childcare for longer than 5 years. (Only) 8% of applicable providers believed that they were expecting to be providing childcare for no longer than 3 years

39

5. Consultation(s) with Childcare Providers The following section has been informed by three surveys/pieces of research:

1. 2017 Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey – undertaken via a telephone interview process in October and November 2016

2. Swansea childcare providers’ contribution to the summer 2016 Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS) report/data gathering exercise

3. Autumn 2016 Cwlwm Wales-wide childcare workforce survey The majority of the data and statistics contained within the section were taken from the findings of the 2017 Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey. Where figures, data, statistics and accompanying narratives were taken from one of the other two surveys (i.e. 2. and 3. above) a relevant footnote has identified this as the source. The section is also, to a significant extent, informed by the data as set out in annexes 1 – 7 as of the Welsh Government Childcare Sufficiency Guidance, published in July 2017: 5.1 The following response rate was observed for the 2017 Swansea CSA

Childcare Providers Survey

Full daycare providers = 95% Sessional daycare providers = 96% Registered childminders = 78% Out of School Childcare Providers = 100% (including Holiday Clubs and Holiday Playschemes)

5.2 Table 20 presents – by type of provider/sector – the:

Most frequent number of places offered on a typical term-time day Average number of places offered on a typical term-time day Most frequent number of places offered on a typical holiday-time day Average number of places offered on a typical holiday-time day

Table 20: Incidence of term-time and holiday-time places being offered

Sector/Provider Type Most

frequent number of term-time

places

Most frequent number of

holiday-time places

Average number of term-time

places

Average number of

holiday-time places

Full Daycare 124 124 50 45 Sessional Daycare 54 64 28 23 Registered Childminder 10 10 6.5 5.5 Out of School Childcare

including holiday playschemes 60 70 33 30

Open Access Play Provision 150 150 83 110

40

5.3 Table 21 demonstrates the incidence of provider types, operating across Swansea, offering specific type(s) of provision. Table 21: incidence of specific type(s) of provision

Sector/Provider Type

Full Daycare

Half Daycare

(am)

Half Daycare

(pm)

Before School/

Breakfast Club

After School

Wrap-Around

Childcare

Holiday Provision

Morning Playgroup/

Cylch Meithrin

Afternoon Playgroup/

Cylch Meithrin

Lunch

Playscheme

Full Daycare 80% 76% 76% 60% 67% 56% 60% 4% 4% 4% 7% Sessional Daycare 0 n/a n/a 0 0 32% 20% 80% 80% 0 0 Registered Childminder 90% 36% 30% 88% 88% 76% 60% n/a n/a n/a n/a Out of School Childcare including holiday playschemes

0 0 0 7.5% 100% 76% 60% n/a n/a n/a n/a

Open Access Play Provision 0 0 0 0 100% 50% 50% n/a n/a 0 100%

Table 21 demonstrates that – excluding the provision via the four Open Access Play settings – the five most frequent forms of (specific) provision available throughout the Swansea locality in late 2016 were (in order of frequency):

1. An out of school childcare provider undertaking after school childcare 2. A registered childminder providing full daycare, throughout the year 3. A registered childminder providing before school and/or after school childcare 4. Sessional daycare provider undertaking a morning and afternoon playgroup/Cylch Meithrin 5. Full daycare provider undertaking full daycare, throughout the year

41

5.4 Table 22 demonstrates the frequency with which childcare providers – by sector – stated that their service was delivered aligned to a particular language or languages.

Table 22: incidence of delivery via a specific language or languages


Welsh medium

Both Welsh and English

medium

English Medium with

some bi-lingual elements

English Medium

Other

Full Daycare 0 11% 78% 11% 0 Sessional Daycare 12% 4% 76% 8% 0 Registered Childminder 0 6% 52% 41% 1% Out of School Childcare

including holiday playschemes 12.5% 12.5% 50% 25% 0

Open Access Play Provision 0

100% 0 0 0

Total 3% 8% 62% 27% 1%9

Table 22 demonstrates (via responding childcare providers) that the most frequent type of delivery is English Medium with some bi-lingual elements, followed in frequency by English-medium only.

5.5 Table 23 outlines the most frequent start times and finish times stated by

responding full daycare providers, for term-times.

Table 23: Most frequent stated by responding full daycare providers for term-times

Day (Main) Session 1 Session 2 Session 3

Start Finish Start Finish Start Finish

Monday 7:30 18:00 7:30 8:00 13:00 13:30 Tuesday 7:30 18:00 7:30 8:00 13:00 13:30 Wednesday 7:30 18:00 7:30 8:00 13:00 13:30 Thursday 7:30 18:00 7:30 8:00 13:00 13:30 Friday 7:30 18:00 7:30 8:00 13:00 13:30 Saturday 7:30 17:30 n/a n/a n/a n/a Sunday n/a10 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Table 23 demonstrates that the most frequent weekday opening times for a full daycare provider operating in Swansea, in late 2016, was – for its main form of (nursery) provision: 7:30am – 18.00pm.

9 German 10 No relevant responses for this weekday.

42

5.6 9% of responding full daycare providers stated, in response to the 2017 Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey, that they operated during the school holiday periods – as well as during term times – with hours that were different from their term-time equivalents.

Table 24 outlines the most frequent (differing) start times and finish times stated by (the 9% of) responding full daycare providers who operate during holiday periods as well term-time periods (presented in Table 23 above).

School Holidays

Most frequent alternative Start and Finish Times stated by the relevant providers

Average No.

Weeks Open?

Days operating % of applicable providers

(Main) Session 1 (Any) Session 2 (Any) Session 3

Time Open

Time Closed

Time Open

Time Closed

Time Open

Time Closed

Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

Summer Holidays

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 3.5 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

October Half Term

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

Christmas Holidays

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1.5 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

February Half Term

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

Easter Holidays

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1.5 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

May Half Term

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

43

5.7 Table 25 outlines the most frequent start times and finish times stated by responding sessional daycare providers, for term-times.

Table 25: Most frequently stated by responding sessional daycare providers for term-times



Monday 9:00 11:30 12:45 15:15 n/a n/a Tuesday 9:00 11:30 12:45 15:15 n/a n/a Wednesday 9:00 11:30 12:45 15:15 n/a n/a Thursday 9:00 11:30 12:45 15:15 n/a n/a Friday 9:00 11:30 12:45 15:15 n/a n/a Saturday n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Sunday n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Table 25 demonstrates that the most frequent weekday opening times for a sessional daycare provider operating in Swansea, in late 2016, was – for its main form of (sessional) provision: 9.00am – 11.30am for morning sessions and 12:45am – 15:15pm for afternoon sessions.

44

5.8 The majority of responding (Flying Start) sessional providers11 stated, in response to the 2017 Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey, that they operated during the summer and Easter school holiday periods – as well as during term times.

Table 26 outlines the most frequent (differing) start times and finish times stated by relevant sessional daycare providers who operate during holiday periods as well term-time periods (presented in Table 25 above).

11 This provision would only be accessible to families living in designated Flying Start geographical areas.

School Holidays

Most frequent alternative Start and Finish Times stated by the relevant providers

Average No.

Weeks Open?



Time Open

Time Closed

Time Open

Time Closed

Time Open

Time Closed


Summer Holidays

9:00

11:30

12:45

15:15

n/a

n/a 2 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

October Half Term

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Christmas Holidays

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

February Half Term

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Easter Holidays

9:00

11:30

12:45

15:15

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

May Half Term

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

45

5.9 Table 27 outlines the most frequent start times and finish times stated by responding registered childminders, for term-times.

Table 27: Most frequently stated by responding registered childminders for term-times



Monday 7:00 18:00 7:00 8:00 11:00 17:00 Tuesday 7:00 18:00 7:00 8:00 11:00 17:00 Wednesday 7:00 18:00 7:00 8:00 11:00 17:00 Thursday 7:00 18:00 7:00 8:00 11:00 17:00 Friday 7:00 18:00 7:00 8:00 11:00 17:00 Saturday 8:00 18:00 n/a n/a n/a n/a Sunday n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Table 27 demonstrates that the most frequent weekday start and finish times for responding registered childminders operating in Swansea, in late 2016, was – for its main form of provision: 7:00am – 18.00pm.

46

5.10 6% of responding registered childminders stated, in response to the 2017 Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey that they operated during the school holiday periods – as well as during term times – with hours that were different from their term-time equivalents.

Table 28 outlines the most frequent (differing) start times and finish times stated by (the 6% of) responding (applicable) registered childminders who operate during holiday periods as well term-time periods (presented in Table 27 above).

School Holidays

Most frequent alternative Start and Finish Times stated by the relevant childminders Average

No. Weeks

Operate?

Days operating % of applicable childminders


Time Start

Time Finish

Time Start

Time Finish

Time Start

Time Finish


Summer Holidays

8:00

18:15

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 4.5 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

October Half Term

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

Christmas Holidays

8:00

18:15

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1.5 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

February Half Term

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

Easter Holidays

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1.5 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

May Half Term

8:00

18:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 100%

100% 100%

100% 100%

0% 0%

47

5.11 Table 29 outlines the most frequent start times and finish times stated by responding out of school childcare providers/after school clubs, for term-times.

Table 29: Most frequently stated by responding out of school childcare providers/after school clubs for term-times



Monday 15:20 17:15 n/a n/a n/a n/a Tuesday 15:20 17:15 n/a n/a n/a n/a Wednesday 15:20 17:15 n/a n/a n/a n/a Thursday 15:20 17:15 n/a n/a n/a n/a Friday 15:20 17:15 n/a n/a n/a n/a Saturday n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Sunday n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Table 29 demonstrates that the most frequent weekday opening times for an after school club operating in Swansea, in late 2016, was – for its main form of (after school club) provision: 15:20pm – 17.15pm.

48

5.12 27% out of school childcare providers/after school clubs stated, in response to the 2017 Swansea CSA Childcare Providers Survey that they operated during the school holiday periods – as well as during term times – with hours that were different from their term-time equivalents. Table 30 outlines the most frequent (differing) start times and finish times stated by (the 27% of applicable) responding out of school childcare providers/after school clubs who operate during holiday periods as well term-time periods (presented in Table 29 above).

School Holidays

Most frequent alternative Start and Finish Times stated by the relevant providers Average

No. Weeks

Operate?



Time Open

Time Closed

Time Open

Time Closed

Time Open

Time Closed


Summer Holidays

8:00

17:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 3.5 86%

100% 100%

100% 86%

0% 0%

October Half Term

8:00

17:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 80%

100% 100%

100% 80%

0% 0%

Christmas Holidays

8:00

17:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1.5 75%

100% 100%

100% 75%

0% 0%

February Half Term

8:00

17:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 80%

100% 100%

100% 80%

0% 0%

Easter Holidays

8:00

17:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1.5 60%

100% 100%

100% 60%

0% 0%

May Half Term

8:00

17:00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a 1 80%

100% 100%

100% 80%

0% 0%

49

Tables 24, 26, 28 and 30 demonstrate that when a childcare provider does operate during the school holidays – as well as during term-times – they most frequently operate during the Summer holidays, followed in frequency by the Easter holidays. The responding childcare providers evidenced that they were least likely to operate during the Christmas holiday. The Tables also indicate that there is a relatively low incidence of childcare provision available at weekends. There is evidently some (though limited) availability of full daycare provision and places with registered childminders during weekends in term-times.

5.13 The most frequent term-time start times and finish times for the one crèche

which operates within the (North West) Swansea locality is 9.30am - 12.30pm.

50

5.14 Table 31 demonstrates the frequency with which responding childcare providers – by broad sector – stated that they covered inset days.

Table 31: Incidence of coverage of inset days

Sector/ Provider Type

Yes – Cover inset days No – Cover inset days

Full Daycare 87% 13% Sessional Daycare 40% 60% Registered Childminder 92% 8% Out of School Childcare

including holiday playschemes 8% 92%

Open Access Play Provision 0% 100%

Table 31 demonstrates that the most frequent coverage of inset days is evidently (and as would be expected) provided by Swansea’s registered childminders.

5.15 Table 32 indicates the incidence of types of childcare provider operating outside

of standard 8.00am – 6.00pm working hours.

Table 32: Incidence of broad types of childcare provider operating outside of standard working hours


Chi

ldca

re

befo

re 8

am

Ter

m ti

me

Chi

ldca

re

afte

r 6p

m

Ter

m ti

me

Ove

rnig

ht

Chi

ldca

re

Ter

m T

ime

Wee

kend

C

hild

care

T

erm

Tim

e

Chi

ldca

re

befo

re 8

am

Hol

iday

tim

e

Chi

ldca

re

afte

r 6p

m

Hol

iday

tim

e

Ove

rnig

ht

Chi

ldca

re

Hol

iday

Tim

e

Wee

kend

C

hild

care

H

olid

ay

Tim

e

Full Daycare 67% 27% 0 9% 2% 0 0 0 Sessional Daycare 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Registered Childminder 58% 17% 1% 5% 1% 1% 0 0 Out of School Childcare

including holiday playschemes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Open Access Play Provision 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 32 indicates that the three most frequent type of ‘outside of normal’ hours childcare provision accessible to families in Swansea were (in order of frequency):

1. Childcare before 8am at a full daycare provider 2. Childcare before 8am via a registered childminder 3. Childcare post 6pm at a full daycare provider

It was also evident that the three wards which had the highest availability of term-time childcare provision before 8.00am were:

1. Llansamlet 2. Morriston

51

3. Cockett; and, It was also evident that the three wards which had the highest availability of term-time childcare provision after 6.00pm were:

1. Morriston 2. Bonymaen 3. Gorseinon

5.16 In terms of the incidence of (wrap around style) school drop-off and pick-ups…

71% of registered childminders stated that they did drop off children at another daycare setting/school, during a typical (week)day. The most frequent type of setting was a (local) primary school. 84% of registered childminders stated that they did pick up children from another daycare setting/school, during a typical (week)day. The most frequent type of setting was, once again, a (local) primary school. 50% of full daycare providers and sessional daycare providers stated that they did drop off children at another daycare setting/school, during a typical (week)day. The most frequent type of setting was a (local) primary school. 50% of full daycare providers and sessional daycare providers stated that they did pick up children from another daycare setting/school, during a typical (week)day. The most frequent type of setting was, once again, a (local) primary school. Ultimately, the percentages for registered childminders were higher than those reported by respondents from the early years childcare sector.

52

5.17 Table 33 outlines the average hourly costs that responding childcare providers stated they charged for specific services on a typical day.

Table 33: Average hourly costs that responding childcare providers stated they charged for specific services

Table 33 indicates that the highest average hourly costs were, in late 2016 – charged by registered childminders followed in frequency by full daycare providers. It should be noted that the most frequent cost for a sessional childcare place is £0.00 due to the fact that the majority of sessional daycare is funded through the Flying Start programme.

In terms of the evident range of charges observed, example include:

Lowest full daycare provider hourly rate reported = £2.60 … Highest full daycare provider hourly rate reported = £5.00

12 The average costs presented in the Table account for fee paying sessional places. 13 The average costs presented in the Table account for fee paying sessional places.

Full

Daycare

Half

Daycare

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin

Before School/

Breakfast Club

After

School

Lunch

Wrap Around

Holiday

Provision

am Pm am pm am pm

Registered Childminder

£3.84p

£4.94p

£4.93p

n/a

n/a

£5.17p

£4.85p

n/a

£5.14p

£4.22p

£4.31p

Full Daycare

£4.53p

£4.47p

£4.54p

n/a

n/a

£5.47p

£4.78p

£2.50p

£4.56p

£4.08p

£4.15p

Sessional Daycare

n/a

n/a

n/a

£0.82p12

£0.24p13

n/a

n/a

n/a

£4.44p

n/a

n/a


n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

£2.50p

n/a

n/a

£1.63p

£1.63p

(One) Crèche

£1.50p

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a


n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

£1.00p

n/a

n/a

£1.00p

£1.00p

53

Lowest childminder/full day hourly rate reported = £2.00 … Highest full childminder/full day hourly rate reported = £5.00

Lowest after school club hourly rate reported = £1.00 … Highest after school club provider hourly rate reported = £5.50

54

5.18 Table 34 indicates the incidence of responding childcare providers charging specific types of additional costs.

Table 34: Incidence of types of childcare charging specific types of additional costs

Nappies Transport Meals Snacks

Add

ition

al

cost

s ch

arge

d

Use

rs s

uppl

y th

eir

own

Add

ition

al

cost

s ch

arge

d

Use

rs s

uppl

y th

eir

own

Add

ition

al

cost

s ch

arge

d

Use

rs s

uppl

y th

eir

own

Add

ition

al

cost

s ch

arge

d

Use

rs s

uppl

y th

eir

own

Full Daycare 2% 78% 49% 4% 18% 7% 9% 9% Sessional Daycare 0 80% 0 0 0 8% 0 0 Registered Childminder 0 93% 29% 0 13% 20% 7% 10% Out of School Childcare

including holiday playschemes 0 4% 0 0 0 0 0 0

Open Access Play Provision 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 34 indicates that the three most frequent type of additional costs were (in order of frequency):

1. Transport costs charged by full daycare providers 2. Transport costs charged by registered childminders 3. Meal costs charged by full daycare providers

5.19 Table 35 indicates the incidence of responding childcare providers offering a

sibling discount.

Table 35: Incidence of childcare providers offering a sibling discount

Sector/Provider Type Yes – Sibling Discount No – Sibling Discount

Full Daycare 64% 36% Sessional Daycare 16% 84% Registered Childminder 54% 46% Out of School Childcare

including holiday playschemes 75% 25%

55

5.20 Table 36 outlines evident term-term specifics regarding (average number of) childcare places in Swansea’s full daycare sector – as evidenced by respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey

Full Day

Care Half Day

Care am

Half Day Care pm

Before School/

Breakfast Club

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin am

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin pm

Wrap Around

After School

Average Maximum Capacity of childcare places available daily

44.5

26.5

27

29

0

0

28

24

Average Full Time number (i.e. attending all available sessions at the service)

22

12

11

6

0

0

7

5

Average Part Time number (i.e. attending some available sessions)

31

17

12

9

0

0

10

9

Average Ad Hoc number (i.e. attending irregular time patterns

4

5

3

1.5

0

0

1

1

Approximate/ Estimated total number of children who use the services

c2,000

C1,200

c965

C500

0

0

c566

c150

56

5.21 Table 37 outlines evident holiday-time specifics regarding childcare places in Swansea’s full daycare sector – as evidenced by 4 respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey – who stated: different during school holidays

Average capacity of childcare places available on a typical day during the school holidays, as stated by 4 applicable providers = 20 Weekly Attendance/Length of Stay

Actual Average

Estimated Average

Summer Holiday

Number of children at summer

2016

October Half term

2016

ChristmasHoliday 2016 – 2017

February Half

Term 2017

Easter Holiday 2017

May Half Term 2017

Average Full Time (i.e. attending all available sessions at the service)

4

<1

1

<1

9

<1

Average Part Time (i.e. attending some available sessions)

9

6

3

6

10

6

Average Ad Hoc (i.e. attending irregular time patterns)

<1

0

0

0

0

0

Total number of children who use the service at all 4 applicable providers

55

27

12

27

79

27

57

5.22 Table 38 outlines evident term-term specifics regarding childcare places in Swansea’s sessional daycare sector – as evidenced by respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey

Full Day Care Half Day Care

am Half Day Care

Pm Before School/ Breakfast Club

Playgroup/ Cylch Meithrin

am

Playgroup/ Cylch Meithrin

pm

Wrap Around


0

0

0

0

18

18

18


0

0

0

0

18

26

12


0

0

0

0

12

10

7.5


0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

c670

c670

c300

58

5.23 Table 39 outlines evident holiday-time specifics regarding childcare places in Swansea’s sessional daycare sector – as evidenced by 2 respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey – who stated: different during school holidays


Actual Average

Estimated Average

Summer Holiday


2016

October Half term

2016

ChristmasHoliday 2016 – 2017

February Half

Term 2017

Easter Holiday 2017

May Half Term 2017


36

0

0

0

46

0


9

0

0

0

0

0


<1

0

0

0

0

0


72

0

0

0

92

0

59

5.24 Table 40 outlines evident term-term specifics regarding childcare places in Swansea’s registered childminding sector – as evidenced by respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey

Full Day

Care Half Day

Care am

Half Day Care pm

Before School

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin am

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin pm

Wrap Around

After School

Lunch


4.5

3

3

4

0

0

3.5

4

0


1

<1

0

1

0

0

<1

<1

0


2.5

<1

<1

1

0

0

1.5

2

0


<1

<1

<1 up to

<1

0

0

<1

<1

0


c350

c96

c12

c150

0

0

c140

c60

0

60

5.25 None of the Swansea localities registered childminders stated: different during school holidays.

5.26 Table 41 outlines evident term-term specifics regarding childcare places in Swansea’s out of school childcare sector – as evidenced by respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey

Full Day

Care Half Day

Care am

Half Day Care pm

Before School/

Breakfast Club

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin am

Playgroup/ Cylch

Meithrin pm

Wrap Around

After School


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

30


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

11


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

38


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

c1,250

61

5.27 Table 42 outlines evident holiday-time specifics regarding childcare places in Swansea’s out of school childcare sector/after school clubs – as evidenced by 3 respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey – who stated: different during school holidays


Actual Average

Estimated Average

Summer Holiday


2016

October Half term

2016

Christmas Holiday 2016 – 2017

February Half

Term 2017

Easter Holiday 2017

May Half Term 2017


33

54

62

62

50

62


43

5

30

5

17

30


8

0

0

12

0

0


254

118

184

158

134

184

62

5.28 Table 43 presents the average number of vacancies that responding childcare providers were experiencing – in autumn 2016 – for specific types of childcare… Table 43: Average number of vacancies experienced in autumn 2016

Table 43 indicates that the full daycare settings operating in Swansea were on average experiencing 10 vacancies in late 2016. Sessional daycare settings were on average experiencing more vacancies for afternoon provision compared to their morning sessions.

Registered childminders were on average experiencing 3 vacancies in late 2016 for full daycare places.

Full

Daycare

Half

Daycare

Playgroup/

Cylch Meithrin

Before School/

Breakfast Club

After

School

Lunch

Wrap

Around

Holiday

Provision

Playscheme

am pm am pm am pm Registered Childminder

3

1

<1

n/a

n/a

<1

<1

n/a

<1

<1

<1

n/a

Full Daycare

10

2.5

3

n/a

n/a

3

5

n/a

4

2

1.5

n/a

Sessional Daycare

0

n/a

n/a

<1

2.5

n/a

0

n/a

4

1

2

n/a

Out of School Childcare/ inc. holiday playscheme

0

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

0

16

0

0

0

0

n/a

Creche

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a


n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

63

5.29 27% (1 : 4) of full daycare providers confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had experienced a waiting list for their provision during term time.

Table 44 outlines the incidence of (responding) full daycare providers stating that they had a waiting list during the period prior to their telephone interview for specific types of places during term time(s)

Table 44 indicates that the most frequent incidence of waiting list(s) evidently observed by full daycare providers, during the 12 month period up to October 2016, was for their (core) full daycare provision, in the Spring (2016) term.

Full daycare provider – specific type of provision

Spring Term Summer Term

Autumn Term

Full Day Care 13% 7% 9% Half Day Care (am) 4% 2% 4% Half Day Care (pm) 2% 2% 4% Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (am) 0 0 0 Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (pm) 0 0 0 Wrap Around Childcare 2% 2% 0 Before School/Breakfast Club 0 0 0 After School Club 2% 2% 0 Lunch Club 0 0 0 Crèche 0 0 0 Playscheme 0 0 0 Mornings only 0 0 0 Afternoons only 0 0 0

64

5.30 0 full daycare providers confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had experienced a waiting list for their provision during any holiday time(s).

5.31 40% of sessional daycare providers confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had

experienced a waiting list for their provision during term time.

Table 45 outlines the incidence of (responding) sessional daycare providers stating that they had had a waiting list during the period prior to their telephone interview for specific types of places during term time(s)

Table 45 indicates that the most frequent incidence of waiting list(s) evidently observed by sessional daycare providers, during the 12 month period up to October 2016, was for a (core) afternoon sessional playgroup/Cylch Meithrin, in the Spring (2016) term.

Sessional daycare provider – specific type of provision


Autumn Term

Full Day Care 0 0 0 Half Day Care (am) 4% 4% 4% Half Day Care (pm) 0 0 0 Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (am) 16% 16% 16% Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (pm) 24% 12% 12% Wrap Around Childcare 0 0 0 Before School/Breakfast Club 0 0 0 After School Club 0 0 0 Lunch Club 0 0 0 Crèche 0 0 0 Playscheme 0 0 0 Mornings only 0 0 0 Afternoons only 0 0 0

65

5.32 0 sessional daycare providers confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had experienced a waiting list for their provision during any holiday time(s).

5.33 8% of registered childminders confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had experienced a

waiting list for their provision during term time.

Table 46 outlines the incidence of (responding) registered childminders stating that they had had a waiting list during the period prior to their telephone interview for specific types of places during term time(s)

Table 46 indicates that the most frequent incidence of waiting list(s) evidently observed by registered childminders, during the 12 month period up to October 2016, was for a (core) full daycare session, in the Autumn (2016) term.

Registered Childminder – specific type of provision


Autumn Term

Full Day Care 2% 2% 6% Half Day Care (am) 0 0 1% Half Day Care (pm) 0 0 0 Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (am) 0 0 0 Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (pm) 0 0 0 Wrap Around Childcare 0 0 1% Before School/Breakfast Club 0 0 0 After School Club 0 0 0 Lunch Club 0 0 0 Crèche 0 0 0 Playscheme 0 0 0 Mornings only 0 0 0 Afternoons only 0 0 0

66

5.34 0 registered childminders confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had experienced a waiting list for their provision during (any) holiday time(s).

5.35 21% of registered out of school childcare providers confirmed that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they

had experienced a waiting list for their provision during term time.

Table 47 outlines the incidence of (responding) out of school childcare providers stating that they had had a waiting list during the period prior to their telephone interview for specific types of places during term time(s)

5.36 0 registered out of school childcare providers stated that during the past 12 months (prior to October 2016) they had

experienced a waiting list for their provision during (any) holiday time(s).

Out of School Childcare Provider – specific type of provision


Autumn Term

Full Day Care 0 0 0 Half Day Care (am) 0 0 0 Half Day Care (pm) 0 0 0 Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (am) 0 0 0 Sessional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin (pm) 0 0 0 Wrap Around Childcare 0 0 0 Before School/Breakfast Club 0 0 0 After School Club 16% 8% 12% Lunch Club 0 0 0 Crèche 0 0 0 Playscheme 0 0 0 Mornings only 0 0 0 Afternoons only 0 0 0

67

5.37 Table 48 indicates the evident average number of children attending full daycare provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times, aligned to feedback reported via the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey.

Table 48: Average number of children attending full daycare provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times

Age Group Term-time –

Approximate average number of children cared for at a full daycare

setting

Holiday-time – Approximate

average number of children cared for at a full daycare

setting

Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Under 12 months 2 2 4 1 1 2 12 – 18 months 4.5 5 9.5 3.5 2.5 6 19 – 23 months 4 3 7 3 3 6 2 years 10 7.5 17.5 4.5 4.5 9 3 years 7.5 7.5 15 4 5 9 4 years 4 4 8 1 1 2 5 – 7 years 4 4 8 1.5 2.5 4 8 – 11 years 2 2 4 6.5 4 10.5 12 – 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 – 17 years 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 49 indicates the approximate percentages of children attending full daycare provision who travelled specific distances to reach such a setting in question, during term-time and during holiday-time.

Table 49: Approximate percentages of children attending full daycare provision who travelled specific distances to reach such a setting, during term-time and during holiday-time

Distance Approximate Percentage Travelling distance term-time

Approximate Percentage Travelling distance

holiday-time 0 – 1 mile 44% 76% 1 mile – 3 miles 40% 19% 3 miles – 10 miles 14.5% 5% Over 10 miles 1.5% 0

68

5.38 Table 50 indicates the evident average number of children attending sessional daycare provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times.

Table 50: Average number of children attending sessional daycare provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times


Approximate average number of children

cared for at a sessional daycare setting


average number of children cared for at a sessional

daycare setting

Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Under 12 months 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 – 18 months 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 – 23 months 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 years 13 12 25 9.5 12.5 22 3 years 2.5 1.5 4 0 0 0 4 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 – 7 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 – 11 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 – 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 – 17 years 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 51 indicates the approximate percentages of children attending sessional daycare provision who travelled specific distances to reach such a setting in question, during term-time and during holiday-time.

Table 51: Approximate percentages of children attending sessional daycare provision who travelled specific distances to reach such a setting, during term-time and during holiday-time

Distance Approximate Percentage Travelling distance

Term-time


holiday-time 0 – 1 mile 70% 95% 1 mile – 3 miles 20% 5% 3 miles – 10 miles 10% 0 Over 10 miles 0 0

69

5.39 Table 52 indicates the evident average number of children attending registered childminding provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times.

Table 52: Average number of children attending registered childminder provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times


Approximate average number of children

cared for at a registered childminder


average number of children cared for at a registered

childminder

Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Under 12 months 0 0 0 <1 0 <1 12 – 18 months 0 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 19 – 23 months <1 <1 1 0 0 0 2 years <1 <1 1 <1 0 <1 3 years <1 <1 1 <1 <1 <1 4 years <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 5 – 7 years 1 1 2 <1 1 1 8 – 11 years 1 <1 1.5 0 <1 <1

Table 53 indicates the approximate percentages of children attending a registered childminder who travelled specific distances, during term-time and during holiday-time.

Table 53: Approximate percentages of children attending registered childminding provision who travelled specific distances, during term-time and during holiday-time



Holiday-time 0 – 1 mile 50% 75% 1 mile – 3 miles 37% 10% 3 miles – 10 miles 12% 15% Over 10 miles 1% 0

70

5.40 Table 54: Average number of children attending out of school childcare provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times.

Table 54: Average number of children attending out of school childcare provision across Swansea in (a) term-time and (b) holiday times

Age Group Term-time – Approximate

average number of children cared for at a out of school

childcare setting


average number of children cared for at a out of school

childcare setting

Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Under 12 months 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 – 18 months 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 – 23 months 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 years 3 3 6 1 3 4 4 years 4.5 3.5 8 4 4 8 5 – 7 years 12 11 23 13.5 12 25.5 8 – 11 years 12 9.5 21.5 16 15 31 12 – 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 – 17 years 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 55 indicates the approximate percentages of children attending an out of school childcare provider who travelled specific distances to reach such a setting in question, during term-time and during holiday-time.

Table 55: Approximate percentages of children attending out of school childcare provision who travelled specific distances, during term-time and during holiday-time (when a number of settings were acting as holiday playschemes)



holiday-time 0 – 1 mile 60% 57% 1 mile – 3 miles 33% 36% 3 miles – 10 miles 7% 7% Over 10 miles 0 0

71

5.41 Respondents from the full daycare sector were evidently providing childcare for a total of 83 children with additional needs – at the time of the research – at an average of 1.84 of such children/provider.

Respondents from the sessional daycare sector were evidently providing childcare for a total of 186 children with additional needs – at the time of the research – at an average of 5 of such children/provider. Responding childminders were evidently providing childcare for a total of 18 children with additional needs – which indicates that approximately 25 children with additional needs were receiving childcare across the total (111) childminders in Swansea. Respondents from the out of school childcare sector (including holiday playschemes) were evidently providing childcare for a total of 122 children with additional needs – at the time of the research – at an average of 5 of such children/provider.

Table 56 indicates the number of children who had (specific types of) additional needs which (specific types of) childcare providers were caring for during term-time and holiday time combined during the period summer 2016 – autumn 2016.

Table 56: Incidence of childcare sectors providing childcare for children with specific types of additional needs

Type of Additional Need

Full Daycare Sector

Sessional Daycare Sector


Out of School Childcare Sector

Total Across Sector

Total aged

3 years and over

Total Across Sector

Total aged

3 years and over

Total Across Sector

Total aged

3 years and over

Total Across Sector

Total aged

3 years and over

Speech language and communication difficulties

40 5 91 1 3 3 17 17 Specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD)

24 10 71 9 10 7 50 50 Hearing difficulties

0 0 3 2 1 1 10 10 Learning difficulties (e.g. global development delay)

0 0 2 0 0 0 11 11 Visual difficulties

8 0 17 0 1 0 11 11 Emotional and behavioural difficulties

0 5 17 5 1 1 22 22 Physical difficulties

2 0 6 0 1 1 12 12 Medical Condition

2 1 10 0 3 1 1 1

72

Table 56 indicates that:

The type of additional need that was most frequently being observed at Swansea’s full daycare settings was a speech and language/communication difficulty, followed in frequency by a specific learning difficulty. It was observed that 58% of the responding full daycare providers did have at least one child with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016 – 42% of the responding full daycare providers did not (therefore) have any children with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016.

The type of additional need that was most frequently being observed at Swansea’s sessional daycare settings was also a speech and language/communication difficulty, followed in frequency by a specific learning difficulty. It was observed that 80% of the responding sessional daycare providers did have at least one child with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016 – 20% of the responding sessional daycare providers did not (therefore) have any children with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016.

The type of additional need that was most frequently being observed with Swansea’s registered childminders was a specific learning difficulty, followed in frequency by a speech and language/communication difficulty. It was observed that 13% of the responding registered childminders did have at least one child with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016 – 87% of the responding registered childminders did not (therefore) have any children with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016.

The type of additional need that was most frequently being observed at Swansea’s out of school childcare settings was a specific learning difficulty, followed in frequency by a emotional and behavioural difficulty. It was observed that 67% of the responding out of school childcare providers did have at least one child with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016 – 33% of the responding out of school childcare providers did not (therefore) have any children with additional needs attending their setting in late 2016.

It was observed that Other additional needs and medical conditions experienced by children who were being cared for at daycare settings and with childminders included:

(Most frequently) Cerebral Palsy Multiple Sclerosis Downs Syndrome Skin problems Heart Conditions Asthma

73

5.42 Swansea’s daycare providers and registered childminders were invited to state: the factors they believed were significant when children have additional needs/disabilities or complex medical needs, within their setting. The most frequent type of response was: good access for wheelchairs (36% of all childcare providers), followed in frequency by: to have an individual care plan (26%). Additional repeated responses were:

For staff to have experience of supporting children with additional needs/disabilities (16%)

To have appropriate staff ratio (15%) To work closely with Educational Psychologists (6%) To work closely with parents (on a care plan) (8%) To work closely with other “health” professionals (8%) To offer 1 : 1 [child]care (10%) For staff to have specialist training or being willing to undertake it (6%)

It can be noted that six full daycare and sessional daycare providers stated that their venue did not have good access for wheelchair users.

5.43 In autumn 2016, Cwlwm14 undertook a Wales-wide childcare workforce survey.

The aim of the survey was to (a) develop an accurate and evidence-based picture of the current early years childcare landscape in Wales; (b) provide information on the levels of qualifications currently held by those in the sector; (c) identify training needs and explore issues around access to training. Key feedback from Swansea-based childcare providers included:

The most frequent age group of a childcare workforce member was (a female of) 31 – 40 years – almost one-quarter of the total workforce

16% of the workforce did not hold a childcare or playwork themed qualification (3% lower than the all of Wales figure)

50% of the workforce held a Level 3 Childcare qualification (2% more than the all of Wales figure)

6% of the workforce had graduated with a childcare themed qualification (again, 2% more than the all of Wales figure)

73% of respondents stated that their provision does not have a training budget

0 respondents stated that they would prefer any training to be delivered in Welsh only – however 12% stated that they would welcome bilingual Welsh and English training sessions/courses

The three most frequent subjects that respondents would welcome (more) training to address were: 1. child protection and safeguarding (28%); 2. first aid (25%); food hygiene (22%)

14 ‘Cwlwm’ brings together the five leading childcare organisations in Wales to deliver a bilingual integrated service that will ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families across Wales. ‘Cwlwm’ partners are Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs, Mudiad Meithrin, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA Cymru), PACEY Cymru and Wales Pre-School Providers Association (Wales PPA).

74

(Only) 2% of the childcare workforce was evidently male

5.44 The following Tables (Tables 57 through to Table 63) were informed by Swansea childcare providers’ contribution to the summer 2016 Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS) report/data gathering exercise. They show the incidence of relevant qualification levels for each core childcare sector and the incidence of further qualifications being worked towards (in summer 2016).

75

5.45 Table 57: Summer 2016 Qualification Levels: Childminders (including assistants employed) Qualification Name – Care Council for Wales – Skills Active List – Other

Post Title

Number of childminders with

qualification

Next Level of qualifications

working towards

Post Title

Number

Level 1

Childminder 1 Level 2 Childminder 2

Level 2 Childminder 6 Level 3 Childminder 1

None Childminder 4

Not specified Childminder 1

Level 3

Childminder

37

Level 3 Childminder 5




None

Childminder 20

Not Specified

Childminder 8

Level 4

Childminder

2

None Childminder 2

76

Qualification Name – Care Council for Wales – Skills Active List – Other

Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number

Level 4 cont.

Childminder

12

Level 3

Childminder 2

Level 5

Childminder 1

Level 6

Childminder 1

None

Childminder 3

Not Specified

Childminder 3

Level 6

Childminder

2

None Childminder 2

Level 7

Childminder

2

None Childminder 2

None

Childminder

3

None Childminder 3

Not Specified Childminder 23 Level 3 Childminder 1

None Childminder 16

Not specified Childminder 6

77

5.46 Table 58: Summer 2016 Qualification Levels: Full Daycare Qualification Name – Care Council for Wales – Skills Active List – Other

Post Title

Number of practitioners with

qualification

Next Level of qualifications working

towards

Post Title

Number

Level 1

Childcare Practitioner

2 Level 3

Childcare Practitioner 1

None


Level 2


27 Level 3 Childcare Practitioner 23

Level 5


None


Not Specified


Not Specified 3 Level 2 Not Specified 1

Level 3

Not Specified 2

78


Post Title


qualification


towards

Post Title

Number

Level 3


268

Level 2


Level 3


Level 5


Level 6


None


Not Specified


79


Post title

Number of

childminders with qualification

Post Title

Number Next Level of

qualifications working towards

Level 3 cont.

Childcare Practitioner cont.

268 cont. Level 4 Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

1

Level 5 Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

29

None Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

13

Not Specified Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

12

RI/RP/Director/ Owner

2 None RI/RP/Director/ Owner

2

Catering Staff

2 Not Specified Catering Staff 2


None Not Specified 11

Not Specified

Not Specified 3

80


Post title

Number of



towards

Post Title

Number

Level 4


5 Level 3 Childcare Practitioner 1


2

None


Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

15 Level 2 Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

1


11


3

Level 5


5 None Childcare Practitioner

4

Not Specified




1


1


14

81


Post title

Number of


Next Level of


Post Title

Number

Level 5 cont. Not Specified Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

11

RI / RP / Director / Owner


5

Catering Staff 1 None Catering Staff 1

Administrative 1

None Administrative 1

Not Specified 1 None Not Specified 1

Level 6


13

Level 3


Level 7


None


Not Specified




1


3 None Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

1


2

Not Specified 3


82


Post title

Number of


Next Level of


Post Title

Number

Level 7


5

Level 3


Not Specified Childcare Practitioner

1


1 Not Specified Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

1

None


5 Level 3


Level 6


None Childcare Practitioner

2



1

Apprentice 1 Level 2 Apprentice 1

Catering Staff 1

None Catering Staff 1

Not specified


22 Level 2


Level 3


6

83


Post title

Number of


Next Level of


Post Title

Number

Not specified cont.


22 cont. Level 6 Childcare Practitioner 1

None


Not Specified




2


1

Not Specified Leader/Manager / Supervisor

3

Catering Staff

4 Level 3 Catering Staff 1

None Catering Staff 3



1

Apprentice

2 Level 2 Apprentice

2


Level 5 Not Specified 1

None

Not Specified 3

84

5.47 Table 59: Summer 2016 Qualification Levels: Sessional Daycare Qualification Name – Care Council for Wales – Skills Active List – Other

Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number

Level 1


1 Level 1 Childcare Practitioner

1


Level 2


3

Level 3 Childcare Practitioner

2


1

Level 3


49


2


1


15


18


13



1


4


3

85


Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number


1



Level 4


4


2


2



1


2

Level 5


11


1


1


8


1



1


2

86


Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number

Level 5 cont.

Leader/Manager/Supervisor cont. None Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

5


4

Not Specified 1 None Not Specified 1

Level 6


4


2


2


None

Volunteers/ Unpaid

1

None Volunteers/ Unpaid

1

Not Specified


1


1

Not Specified 2


87

5.48 Table 60: Summer 2016 Qualification Levels: Out of School Childcare Qualification Name – Care Council for Wales – Skills Active List – Other

Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number

Level 1


Level 2

Apprentice 1

Level 3 Apprentice 1



1


5


1 Not Specified RI/RP/Director/ Owner

1

Not Specified 2 None Not Specified

1

Not Specified Not Specified

1

Level 3

Apprentice 1

None Apprentice 1



2


1


5


17

88


Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number

Level 3 cont.


18



2


4


9

Not specified Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

2




Not specified Not Specified 1

Level 4


1


1

Level 5



2


1



1

89


Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number


3

Level 6



2



1


1

Not specified Leader/Manager/ Supervisor

1



1


3

Level 7



1


3


1

None

Volunteers / Unpaid

3 Level 3 Volunteers / Unpaid

3

Not Specified


3 Level 5


1

90


Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number

Not Specified cont.


3 cont. None


1


1

Volunteers/ Unpaid

1 Level 2 Volunteers/ Unpaid

1

5.49 Table 61: Summer 2016 Qualification Levels: Open Access Play Provision Qualification Name – Care Council for Wales – Skills Active List – Other

Post Title


qualification


working towards

Post Title

Number



1

Not Specified


10


10

Essentially, Tables 57, 58, 59, 60 and 61 [pages 75 - 90] above indicate that across the childcare sector in the Swansea locality in summer 2016: 1 Level 1 qualifications were being worked toward; 38 Level 2 qualifications were being worked towards; 68 number Level 3 qualifications were being worked towards; 6 Level 4 qualifications were being worked towards; 133 Level 5 qualifications were being worked towards; 11 Level 6 qualifications were being worked towards; 2 Level 7 qualifications were being worked towards.

91

5.50 Table 62: Summer 2016, overview of additional training completed in the last 12 months, per number of childcare types Additional Training Completed

Childminder (Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)

Sessional Day Care (Number)

Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

A Accident Book 0 1 0 0 0 1 Accredited Montessori Teacher 0 2 0 0 0 2 ADHD Aspergers & Autism Awareness 0 1 0 0 0 1 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 0 3 0 0 0 3 Allergen Awareness Level 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 Allergen Training 0 8 0 0 0 8 Allergy (online) Training 1 0 0 0 0 1 Anaphylaxis Training 0 10 0 0 0 10 An Introduction to Autism Training 1 0 0 0 0 1 Anti-Bullying Training 0 1 0 1 0 2 Art of Leadership 0 1 0 0 0 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder Training 0 4 0 0 0 4 Asthma Training 0 0 0 3 0 3 Attachment and Trauma Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Autism Awareness 0 2 3 0 0 5

B BA Childhood and Youth Studies 0 0 0 1 0 1 Baby Floor Training 0 3 0 0 0 3 Baby Language and Play 0 1 0 0 0 1 Baby yoga 0 2 0 3 0 5 Baby yoga management 0 0 0 3 0 3 BA Early Childhood Studies 0 1 0 3 0 4 BA Performing Arts 0 1 0 0 0 1

92

Additional Training Completed Childminder

(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Behaviour management 2 0 1 0 0 3 Behaviour management online 1 0 0 0 0 1 Behaviour policy 0 7 0 0 0 7 Bereavement awareness 0 0 1 0 0 1 Bilingualism and the Welsh Language 0 1 0 0 0 1 Birth to Three Matters Training 0 7 0 0 0 7 BN Honours Paediatric Nursing 0 0 1 0 0 1 BSc Developmental Psychology 0 0 1 0 0 1 BSc Hons Children and young people 0 1 0 0 0 1 BTEC Business and Finance 0 0 1 1 0 2 BTEC in Childhood Studies 0 0 1 0 0 1 BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts 0 0 1 0 0 1 BTEC Childrens Care Learning Level 3 1 0 2 0 0 3 Busy Feet CPD Training 0 13 12 2 0 27

C Cache Level 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 Catch-up literacy 0 2 0 0 0 2 Catch-up numeracy 0 1 0 0 0 1 Celebrations around the World 0 2 0 0 0 2 Child Participation 0 1 0 0 0 1 Child Protection 0 6 0 0 0 6 Child Protection Level 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 Child Protection Level 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 Child Sexual Exploitation Training 0 0 1 0 0 1 Childcare and Play Course 0 0 0 1 0 1 Childcare Learning Level 5 0 1 0 0 0 1

93


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Children in Wales15 1 0 0 0 0 1 Children’s Rights 0 2 0 0 0 2 Choking Awareness Workshop 0 0 0 4 0 4 CMI Coaching & Mentoring Level 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 CNM in nutrition diploma 1 0 0 0 0 1 Community Food and Nutrition Training 0 0 7 0 0 7 Confidentiality Awareness Training 0 4 0 0 0 4 Substances Hazardous to Health Training 0 0 1 1 0 2 Counter Terrorism Awareness 0 0 3 0 0 3 CPR Training 0 0 2 0 0 2 Craft Ideas courses 0 1 0 0 0 1 Cross Infection Procedure 1 49 0 0 0 50 Customer Service Training 0 10 0 0 0 10

D Daily Occurrence 0 1 0 0 0 1 Dental Health/Hygiene 1 18 0 0 0 19 Design to Smile course 0 37 7 0 0 44 Development books 0 1 0 0 0 1 Development records 0 4 0 0 0 4 Diploma in Nursery Nursing 1 0 0 0 0 1 Diploma IT user skills Level 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 Disability Awareness Training 0 3 1 0 0 4 Disability Confident course 0 1 1 0 0 2 Domestic Abuse Awareness Training 0 1 5 0 0 6

15 Children in Wales provide a range of multi-disciplinary training courses which aim to promote an integrated approach for all those working in the statutory, third and independent sectors.

94


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Domestic Violence Awareness Training 0 1 1 0 0 2 Down to Earth course16 0 3 1 0 0 4 Dyslexia Awareness Training 0 1 0 0 0 1

E Early Years Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Early Years Conference 0 0 2 0 0 2 Early Years Nutrition 0 2 0 0 0 2 Education for global citizenship course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Emergency life support training 0 0 0 1 0 1 Elklan training17 0 1 7 0 0 8 Emergency first aid course 0 0 1 0 0 1 Emergency first aid at work course 0 1 1 0 0 2 Employee performance management 0 0 2 0 0 2 Epilepsy Training 0 0 1 0 0 1 Epi-pen Training 0 21 0 3 0 24 Equality and Diversity Training 0 0 3 1 0 4 Essential Leadership course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Essential Skills course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Communication Skills Level 1 course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Level 1 Essential Skills Numbers 0 1 0 0 0 1 Essential Skills Level 3 course 0 3 0 0 0 3 Essential Skills Level 5 course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Expectations of Behaviour course 1 0 0 0 0 1

16 Down to Earth provide innovative outdoor experiences with vulnerable and ‘hard to reach’ groups of all ages. 17 Elklan writes and delivers accredited courses for education and other staff working with those with speech, language and communication needs and for parents, and trains a network of licenced tutors to deliver their courses locally.

95


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

F Fire Safety course 0 17 15 0 0 32 Fire Safety in the home course 1 0 0 0 0 1 Fire Safety Officer Level 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 Fire Warden course 0 2 1 2 0 5 First Aid at work course 0 24 1 0 0 25 Flying Start programme modules 0 0 6 0 0 6 Foundation Phase skills ladder course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Food Allergy course 0 4 3 0 0 7 Food Allergy online training 0 15 0 1 0 16 Food Allergy Awareness for Childcare Level 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 Food Hygiene course 0 2 0 0 0 2 Football Coaching qualification 0 1 0 0 0 1 Forest Schools 1 7 0 0 0 8 Forest School practitioner course 0 3 0 0 0 3 Foundation certificate in Welsh second language. 1 0 0 0 0 1 Foundation Phase course(s) 0 9 0 0 0 9 Fun Food and Active Tots course 0 0 1 0 0 1 Fun with Welsh course 1 1 0 0 0 2 Fun with Welsh and Next Steps workshop 1 1 0 0 0 2

G Green Fingers course 0 1 0 0 0 1

96


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

H HACCP18 0 4 0 0 0 4 Hand washing awareness course(s) 0 0 0 1 0 1 Health and Safety course 0 14 7 0 0 21 Health and Safety manager’s course 0 0 1 0 0 1 Healthy Eating course 0 2 0 0 0 2 Healthy Friends course19 0 2 0 0 0 2 Heartstart course20 0 0 0 1 0 1 Human Trafficking and Slavery awareness 0 0 1 0 0 1

I Introduction to Childcare Practice (ICP) 1 0 0 0 0 1 In the Zone Sports course21 0 1 0 0 0 1 Inanimate Load Handling course 0 3 1 0 0 4 Inclusive Play course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Induction training course 0 3 0 0 0 3 Infection Control course 0 9 0 0 0 9 Inspirational Leadership course 1 0 0 0 0 1 Internal Staff Training 0 26 0 0 0 26 Introduction to Makaton course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Introduction to Play course 0 1 0 0 0 1

18 Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, is a process control system that identifies where hazards might occur in the food production process and puts into place preventative measures. 19 The aim of the workshop is to provide training to playworkers in order for them to develop the skills to set up a buddying system within their own settings using a pre-prepared activity toolkit. 20 Heartstart courses teach CPR and other emergency lifesaving skills 21 Since the launch of 'In The Zone' in April 2005 primary schools in Wales have benefited from support and training designed to enable them to better utilise their playground.

97


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Introduction to Welsh course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Institution of Occupational Safety and Health courses 0 0 1 0 0 1

J – none stated

K – none stated

L Language and Play course(s) 0 0 4 0 0 4 Latin American Dance course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Leadership Training course(s) 0 2 0 0 0 2 Learning Through Play course(s) 0 2 0 0 0 2 Learning to Talk - Talking to Learn course 0 0 1 0 0 1 Let Me Play course 0 1 0 0 0 1 (Unspecified) Level 2 course 1 0 0 0 0 1 Little Green Fingers course 0 1 0 0 0 1

M Makaton training 0 1 2 4 0 7 Makaton Basic Welsh training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Management training course 0 0 0 6 0 6 Management Level 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 Management of accidents at work training 0 0 1 0 0 1 Managing Challenging Behaviour course 0 8 1 1 0 10 Managers Course 0 2 0 0 0 2 Manual Handling training 2 54 28 0 0 84 Messy Craft course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Money Soft course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Montessori training course 0 2 0 0 0 2

98


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Multi-Cultural/Diversity training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Multi-sensory approaches to learning course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Music Technology course 0 1 0 0 0 1 My Learning Journey course 0 4 0 0 0 4

N Nappy usage training 0 1 1 0 0 2 New and Inspiring Managers course 0 5 0 1 0 6 Senior management development training 0 1 0 0 0 1 NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coaching course 0 1 0 0 0 1 NNEB Fire Awareness Training 0 0 1 0 0 1 Number and Play, Language and Play courses 1 0 0 0 0 1 Nursing and Midwifery Training 0 0 1 0 0 1 Nutrition courses 0 1 0 0 0 1 Nutrition for Infants and Toddlers courses 1 0 0 0 0 1 NVQ 2 Business and Administration 0 1 0 0 0 1 NVQ 3 Business and Administration 0 1 0 0 0 1 NVQ level 2 Health and Social Care 0 0 1 0 0 1 NVQ level 3 Children's Care, Learning and Development 1 0 0 0 0 1 NVQ level 4 Children's Care and Learning 0 2 0 0 0 2

O Oral health course(s) 0 0 4 0 0 4 Outdoor Learning Training 0 4 1 0 0 5

P Philosophy for Children course 0 0 2 0 0 2 Paediatric First Aid Training 0 0 1 0 0 1

99


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Parmova Training 0 0 1 2 0 3 Performance Management Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Photographic Policy courses 0 1 0 0 0 1 Physical Literacy Training 0 6 0 1 0 7 Planning course(s) 0 3 0 0 0 3 Planning and implementing play courses 0 1 0 0 0 1 Planning under and over 3's play courses 0 3 0 0 0 3 Play-themed courses 0 2 0 4 0 6 Play work Training 0 1 0 2 0 3 Positive Behaviour Management Training

0 5 0 0 0 5 Positive Language and Behaviour Management Training 0 1 0 0 0 1

Positive Relations and Safety Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Protection Of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) 0 0 2 0 0 2 Preparing for Inspection course 0 2 0 0 0 2 Prevent Strategy Training 0 4 0 3 0 7 Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) courses 0 2 0 0 0 2

Puppets & Masks course 0 2 0 0 0 2

Q – none stated

R Race Equality Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Raising Awareness of ADHD, Autism and Aspergers Training 1 3 0 0 0 4

Record Keeping course 0 0 3 0 0 3 Recording Skills course 0 0 1 0 0 1 Recruitment and Selection Training 0 0 1 0 0 1

100


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Recycling course 0 0 1 0 0 1 Restorative Practice Training 0 0 1 2 0 3 Risk Assessments Training 1 6 10 0 0 17

S Safeguarding Training 1 1 2 0 0 4 Safeguarding Adults Training 0 0 4 0 0 4 Safeguarding Level 2 0 3 0 0 0 3 SASS Returns 0 1 0 0 0 1 Sculpture by the Sea 1 1 0 0 0 2 Selling Play course 0 3 0 0 0 3 Schemas Training22 1 0 0 0 0 1 Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) Awareness course 0 1 0 0 0 1

Senior Nursery Nurse course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Senior Leadership Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Sickness and Absences Management 0 1 0 0 0 1 Sign Language Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Sign Language Level 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 Social Music and Dance Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Special Educational Needs Training 0 7 0 1 0 8 Speech and Language general course 1 10 1 2 0 14 Speech and Language Support Level 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 Speech and Language under 5’s course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Starting Out (PACEY) course 1 0 0 0 0 1 Story Sack course 0 1 0 0 0 1

22 ‘Schema’ is a cognitive framework that helps organise and interpret information.

101


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

Story Telling Training 0 2 0 0 0 2 Substance Misuse Awareness Training 0 0 1 0 0 1 Supporting Employee Health and Well-being Training 0 0 2 0 0 2

T Teaching Welsh as a second language - Level 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 Team Leadership course 0 1 0 1 0 2 Basic Language and Observation of Play course 1 0 0 0 0 1

U UN Convention on the Rights of a Child awareness 1 8 0 0 0 9 Understanding ADHD and Autism in the Early Years course 1 0 0 0 0 1 Understanding and Working to the Foundation Phase in Wales (PACEY) course 1 0 0 0 0 1

V – none stated

W Welsh language 0 21 0 0 0 21 Welsh Culture course 0 1 0 0 0 1 Welsh in preschools Training 0 1 0 0 0 1 Welsh Language and Play Training 0 2 0 0 0 2 Working at Height23 Training 1 1 0 0 0 2 Working Positively with Autistic Children in the Early Years course 0 1 0 0 0 1

Workshop to raise awareness of prevent training (WRAP)

1 0 0 0 0 1

23 ‘Working at Height’ is any work on, below, or above ground level where there is risk of personal injury through falling and/or a potential risk to people below the work site being injured by falling objects.

102


(Number)

Full Day

Care (Number)


Out of School

Childcare (Number)

Open Access Play

Provision (Number)

Total

X – none stated

Y Youth Studies 2006 0 0 0 1 0 1

Z – none stated Table 62 indicates that the most frequent types of additional training completed during the period summer 2015 – summer 2016 were:

Within the childminding sector: Manual Handling training and Behaviour Management training Within the full daycare sector: Manual Handling training Within the sessional daycare sector: Fire Safety training Within the out of school childcare sector: Management training

103

5.51 Table 63: Overview of training due to expire, per number of childcare types Certificates due to expire in next 12 months Certificates due to expire in next 2 years Childcare Type Paediatric First

Aid Certificate Child Protection

Training Food Hygiene

Training Paediatric First Aid Certificate

Child Protection Training

Food Hygiene Training

Childminder

19 7 6 39 8 7

Full Day Care

99 42 30 206 54 42

Sessional Day Care

20 2 10 40 2 10

Out of School Care

26 4 18 45 4 18


n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Table 63 indicates that the highest incidence of certification due to expire in the forthcoming 12 months was observed in the out of school childcare sector. Table 63 also indicates that the highest incidence of certification due to expire in the forthcoming 2 years was observed in the childminding sector.

104

5.52 All daycare providers and registered childminders were requested to outline whether, since summer 2014, they had witnessed any notable (and new) trends – including in terms of the circumstances of and backgrounds of families accessing their provision.

25% of full daycare and sessional daycare providers responded that, in the two years since autumn 2014, they had witnessed a notable trend(s). The three most frequent types of trends stated by such providers were (in order of frequency):

1. We have seen a greater demand from families whose country of origin is non-European – most frequently stated by providers operating in the Penderry ward

2. We have seen an increased demand from full-time and part-time students 3. We have seen an increased a demand from lone parent families – most frequently stated by childcare providers operating in the Morriston ward

25% of out of school childcare providers – including holiday playschemes – also responded that, in the two years since autumn 2014, they had witnessed a notable trend(s). The two most frequent types of trends stated by such providers were (in order of frequency):

1. We have seen an increased a demand from lone parent families 2. We have seen an increased incidence of families who need sign-posting to additional support and professionals

8% of registered childminders responded that, in the two years since autumn 2014, they had witnessed a notable trend(s). One repeated trend was (once again): we have seen an increased a demand from lone parent families.

5.53 Similarly to 5.52 above, all daycare providers and registered childminders were

also requested to outline whether, since summer 2014, they had witnessed any notable (and new) trends specifically in terms of the types of places and provision that they offered.

36% of full daycare and sessional daycare providers responded that, in the two years since autumn 2014, they had witnessed a notable trend(s). The three most frequent types of trends stated by such providers were (in order of frequency):

1. There is a greater demand for part-time places 2. There is a greater demand for longer opener times 3. Parents more frequently request that costs should be minimised as much

as possible

47% of registered childminders responded that, in the two years since autumn 2014, they had witnessed a notable trend(s). The three most frequent types of trends stated by such providers were (in order of frequency):

1. There is a greater demand for weekend childcare/provision

105

2. There is a greater demand for flexible provision – in particular from parents who work shift patterns

3. There is a greater demand for part-time places

Finally, it can be noted that the twenty-four responding out of school providers did not (evidently need to) highlight any recurrent issues.

5.54 All daycare providers and registered childminders were requested to

state/qualify how much higher or lower they expected the demand for their provision to be in autumn 2018 – i.e. two years hence.

Table 64: Extent to which daycare providers and registered childminders believed demand for their childcare would differ (or remain the same) in autumn 2018

Level of Demand

Early Years Childcare Sector:

Full Daycare and

Sessional Daycare


Out of School

Childcare Providers

Significantly higher 8.5% 1% 8% Higher – but not significantly 30% 20% 46% About the same 46% 49% 38% Lower – but not significantly 5.5% 12% 4% Significantly lower 10% 18% 4%

Table 64 indicates that the:

Swansea’s early years childcare sector most frequently expected demand to be about the same, in autumn 2018

Swansea’s out of school childcare sector also most frequently expected demand to be higher – but not significantly, in autumn 2018

Swansea’s registered childminders once again most frequently expected demand to be about the same, in autumn 2018

… however, Swansea’s registered childminders most frequently expressed uncertainty through an answer of: don’t know

The Penderry and Townhill wards accounted for the most frequent classification: significantly higher. Ultimately the Table indicates that the locality’s out of school childcare sector was particularly expectant of an increase in demand for their provision over the forthcoming two years.

106

5.55 All daycare providers and registered childminders were requested to state/quantify how long they expected to continue to be providing childcare?

Table 65: Length of time that daycare providers and registered childminders anticipated continuing to provide childcare

Length of time

Early Years Childcare Sector:

Full Daycare and Sessional

Daycare


Out of School Childcare Providers

Less than 2 years 0 13% 4% Up to 3 years 0 7% 0 Up to 4 years 0 1% 0 Up to 5 years 2% 13% 4% Longer than 5 years 80% 54% 63% Can’t say 18% 12% 29%

Table 65 indicates that the:

Swansea’s early years childcare sector most frequently expected to be sustainable and operating for longer than 5 years.

Swansea’s out of school childcare sector also most frequently expected to be sustainable and operating for longer than 5 years

Swansea’s registered childminders most frequently expected to be sustainable and operating for longer than 5 years – however this form of provision did account for the highest incidence of what could be termed (percentage-based) sustainability concerns – as it was observed that 1 : 5 of the locality’s responding registered childminders expected to be operating for less than 3 years

107

5.56 Table 66 indicates the extent to which daycare providers and registered childminders currently consider that – from their perspective – there is sufficiency of specific types of childcare places (denoted in column A) within their immediate geographical area.

Table 66: Extent to which daycare providers and registered childminders operating in Swansea currently consider there is sufficiency of childcare places for 0 – 4 year olds, 5 – 14 year olds and children with special needs, disabilities and complex medical needs

Age groups of childcare places Early Years

Childcare Sector:


Daycare

Registered

Childminders

Out of School

Childcare Providers

Yes there is sufficiency of places for 0 – 2 year olds in our immediate geographical area

71%

81%

54%

No there is not sufficiency of places for 0 – 2 olds in our immediate geographical area

13%

17%

25%

Don’t Know whether there is sufficiency of places for 0 – 2 year olds in our immediate geographical area

16%

2%

21%

Yes there is sufficiency of places for 3 and 4 year olds in our immediate geographical area

80%

83%

63%

No there is not sufficiency of places for 3 and 4 olds in our immediate geographical area

12%

13%

25%

Don’t Know whether there is sufficiency of places for 3 and 4 year olds in our immediate geographical area

8%

4%

13%

Yes there is sufficiency of places for 5 – 14 year olds in our immediate geographical area

63%

70%

67%

No there is not sufficiency of places for 5 – 14 year olds in our immediate geographical area

20%

23%

21%

108

Age groups of childcare places Early Years Childcare Sector:


Daycare

Registered

Childminders

Out of School

Childcare Providers

Don’t Know whether there is sufficiency of places for 5 – 14 year olds in our immediate geographical area

17%

7%

13%

Yes there is sufficiency of places for children with SEN in our immediate geographical area

30%

27%

17%

No there is not sufficiency of places for children with SEN in our immediate geographical area

30%

18%

38%

Don’t Know whether there is sufficiency of places for 2 children with SEN in our immediate geographical area

40%

54%

46%

Yes there is sufficiency of places for children with complex medical needs in our immediate geographical area

30%

28%

17%

No there is not sufficiency of places for children with complex medical needs in our immediate geographical area

30%

18%

38%

Don’t Know whether there is sufficiency of places for children with complex medical needs in our immediate geographical area

40%

54%

46%

Table 66 indicates that approximately 1 : 3 of early years childcare providers did not feel that there were sufficient childcare places in their immediate geographical area for children with special needs and children with complex medical needs. Table 66 also indicates that almost 40% of out of school childcare providers did not feel that there were sufficient childcare places in their immediate geographical area for children with special needs and children with complex medical needs.

109

It can also be observed that out of school childcare providers more frequently considered (or indeed, perceived) there not to be sufficient childcare places for 0 – 4 year places in their immediate geographical area than their early years providing counterparts. The ward which accounted for the most frequent classification: No there is not sufficiency of places for [total] 0 – 4 olds in our immediate geographical area was Bonymaen, followed in frequency by Penderry.

5.57 Aligned to the issue of supply, daycare providers and registered childminders

were requested to state whether they had – in autumn 2016 – any plans to increase the number places that they offered over the next 2 years?

Table 67: Incidence of intentions to increase capacity during the period autumn

2016 – autumn 2018

Type of childcare Provision

Percentage of providers stating that

they would like to increase

places/ capacity

Percentage of providers stating that they would maybe like to increase

places/ capacity

Percentage of providers stating that they would not like to increase places/

Capacity

Total estimated number of definitely

envisaged new places/

sector

Full daycare

9%

16%

75%

93 Sessional daycare

12%

24%

64%

Registered Childminder

1%

7%

92%

2

Out of School Childcare Provision

4%

25%

71%

15

Table 67 indicates that the type of provider that evidently had the most frequent intention to expand its availability/capacity (in almost 1 : 3 cases) was an out of school childcare setting (which may also be providing a holiday playscheme/club).

110

5.58 Table 68 indicates the extent to which daycare providers and registered childminders stated that they felt their provision would benefit from specific, targeted types of support – potentially via the City and Council of Swansea.

Table 68: Extent to which daycare providers and registered childminders stated that they felt their provision would benefit from specific/targeted types of support

Type of support Early Years

Childcare Sector


Out of School

Childcare Providers

Recruitment and Retention

7%

0

8%

Staff Training

21%

12%

25%

Marketing support/advice

14%

8%

13%

Business support/advice

13%

2%

8%

Inspection/registration support/advice

14%

8%

17%

Support to network with other providers/childminders

11%

2%

8%

Advice/support on needs of children with additional needs

29%

13%

21%

Table 68 indicates that the three most frequent forms of specific/targeted support requested by (responding) members of Swansea’s childcare sector were (in order of frequency):

1. Advice/support on needs of children with additional needs 2. Staff Training

3. Inspection/registration support/advice A number of additional types of targeted support were repeated – in order of frequency):

1. More evening/weekend training courses being available 2. For training courses to be more frequently facilitated at Swansea-based venues

3. More funding sources for 1 : 1 support for children with additional needs to ideally be accessible

5.59 All daycare providers and registered childminders were invited to state where

they would go if they wanted to commission some workforce training. The most frequent source was Swansea Family Information Service (69% of childcare providers), followed (in order of frequency) by:

1. PACEY (12%) 2. Local (Swansea Gower) colleges (6%) 3. Clybiau Plant Cymru (5%)

111

5.60 28% of all daycare providers (not including childminders) stated that they had – in the past 12 months – experienced difficulties in recruiting suitably qualified staff to cover staffing vacancies. The sector which had evidently most frequently experienced such difficulties was the full daycare sector (29% stating: yes). The most frequent sources of recruiting qualified staff were (in order of frequency):

1. Word-of-mouth (stated by 38% of responding childcare providers) 2. Local colleges (32%) 3. Local Jobcentre Plus (15%) 4. Social media (12%) 5. www.indeed.co.uk (12%)

5.61 All early years daycare providers were asked: Would you use a Recruitment

Agency which specialises in early years and childcare to address your staffing needs?

5% answered: Yes 74% answered: No 21% answered: Maybe

5.62 All of the full daycare providers, sessional daycare providers and registered

childminders were invited to answer the following question: In theory, if the free part time education entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds was to

extend to 30 hours – with 20 hours of childcare – would you consider offering, all or some of those hours, at your [childcare] setting? 24

Table 69: Full daycare providers, sessional daycare providers and registered childminders intentions with regard to the extended (childcare) provision of the free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds

Would you like to be involved in the delivery of the increased 30 hour free entitlement?...

Percentage of early years childcare providers

stating

Percentage of registered

childminders stating

Yes – would consider applying to deliver all 35% 41% Yes – would consider applying to deliver some 17% 33% No – would not have enough places/capacity 18% 13% Don’t know – at this time (autumn 2016) 30% 13%

24 In November 2016 it was announced that Swansea was among six local authorities chosen to work with the Welsh Government to pilot the new 30 hours childcare offer. Working families with 3 and 4 year old children would have access to free, flexible childcare which would also be available during school holidays. It would, with a childcare element, compliment the foundation phase schooling which all 3 and 4 year olds already have access to. The other Welsh pilot local authorities were Gwynedd, Anglesey, Flintshire, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

112

Additionally, the table below indicates the (frequency of) responses from the (a) full daycare and (b) sessional early years childcare providers to this question, aligned to each ward. Table 70: Full daycare providers, sessional daycare providers’ intentions with regard to supporting the extended provision of the free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds, with an element of 20 hours free childcare – aligned to ward

Ward No. of

responding full daycare & sessional providers

Yes All

Yes Some

No

Don’t Know

Bishopstown 1 0 1 0 0 Bonymaen 1 0 0 1 0 Castle 4 1 0 2 1 Clydach 4 2 0 1 1 Cockett 3 1 1 0 1 Cwmbwrla 1 0 1 0 0 Dunvant 1 0 0 0 1 Fairwood 025 0 0 0 0 Gorseinon 4 2 1 0 1 Gower 0 0 0 0 0 Gowerton 2 1 0 1 0 Killay North 0 0 0 0 0 Killay South 2 0 0 1 1 Kingsbridge 0 0 0 0 0 Landore 2 1 0 1 0 Llangyfelach 1 0 1 0 0 Llansamlet 6 2 2 0 2 Lower Loughor 0 0 0 0 0 Mawr 0 0 0 0 0 Mayals 0 0 0 0 0 Morriston 3 1 1 1 0 Mynyddbach 4 1 1 0 2 Newton 0 0 0 0 0 Oystermouth 2 2 0 0 0 Penclawdd 2 2 0 0 0 Penderry 4 0 1 3 0 Penllergaer 2 1 0 0 1 Pennard 1 0 0 0 1 Penyrheol 2 0 0 0 2 Pontarddulais 2 1 0 1 0 St Thomas 2 0 0 1 1 Sketty 3 1 0 0 2 Townhill 2 0 0 2 0 Uplands 5 3 1 0 1 Upper Loughor 0 0 0 0 0 West Cross 3 2 0 0 1

Totals 69 24 11 15 19

25 A metric of 0 means that no such [responding] provider is physically located within the ward.

113

Finally, Table 71 below indicates the (frequency of) responses from the registered childminders about the possibility of them providing a proportion of the childcare [setting-based] element of the extended free entitlement.

Ward Number of

responding registered

childminders

Yes All

Yes Some

No

Don’t Know

Bishopstown 026 0 0 0 0 Bonymaen 2 1 1 0 0 Castle 0 0 0 0 0 Clydach 2 1 1 0 0 Cockett 6 0 5 1 0 Cwmbwrla 2 1 1 0 0 Dunvant 0 0 0 0 0 Fairwood 2 0 2 0 0 Gorseinon 0 0 0 0 0 Gower 4 3 0 1 0 Gowerton 3 1 2 0 0 Killay North 3 0 0 3 0 Killay South 2 2 0 0 0 Kingsbridge 0 0 0 0 0 Landore 0 0 0 0 0 Llangyfelach 3 2 1 0 0 Llansamlet 13 6 4 3 0 Lower Loughor 0 0 0 0 0 Mawr 0 0 0 0 0 Mayals 1 0 1 0 0Morriston 9 3 2 4 0Mynyddbach 4 0 2 2 0Newton 4 2 1 1 0Oystermouth 2 1 0 1 0Penclawdd 2 1 1 0 0Penderry 2 0 1 1 0Penllergaer 1 1 0 0 0Pennard 0 0 0 0 0Penyrheol 3 2 1 0 0Pontarddulais 0 0 0 0 0St Thomas 1 0 0 1 0Sketty 5 4 1 0 0Townhill 0 0 0 0 0Uplands 0 0 0 0 0Upper Loughor 4 1 1 2 0West Cross 3 2 0 1 0

Totals 83 33 28 22 0

26 A metric of 0 means that no such [responding] childminder is physically located within the ward.

114

5.63 All of the full daycare providers, sessional daycare providers and registered childminders were invited to answer the following question:

What would be the main issues your setting would need to consider if, theoretically, you did provide (all or some of) the 20 hours childcare?

Table 72 outlines the frequency with which specific issues were highlighted.

Table 72: Frequency with which specific issues were highlighted which could affect early years childcare providers and registered childminders ability to become involved in the delivery of the childcare element of the extended free entitlement

Potential Issue Percentage of early years childcare

providers stating

Percentage of registered

childminders stating Capacity 27% 58% Funding amount 44% 40% Staffing 11% 5% Transport (pick ups/drop offs) 24% 24% Paperwork/Administration 7% 35% Other 27% 7%

It was observed that the ward which most frequently accounted for the statement: capacity, was Gower. It was observed that the ward which most frequently accounted for the statement: transport (pick-ups/drop-offs), was Sketty.

One additional, repeated issue highlighted was (words to the effect) “We need to receive more information”.

Additional, repeated feedback about the enhanced free entitlement offer was – in order of frequency:

“This will be a good scheme for us” (9% of relevant childcare providers). “I am not sure how this will fit in to the logistics of the school run?” (4%).

115

6. Free Nursery Education and Flying Start Provision in Swansea

6.1 The following section presents the provision and take-up of (a) free part-time nursery places and (b) the Flying Start programme in Swansea, in late 2016.

In the City and County of Swansea, early years part-time education is delivered by (79) primary schools, (currently) at a

maximum of 12 hours a week. Parents of 3 and 4 year olds are able to secure a place by contacting their local primary school. With regard to that geographic theme, Table 73 demonstrates the number of providers of the entitlement (i.e. primary schools) aligned to specific localities.

Table 73: Number of primary schools funded to provide early years part time education by Swansea locality

Language SA1

South East Swansea

SA2 South Central

Swansea

SA3 South West

Swansea

SA4 North West

Swansea

SA5 North Central

Swansea

SA6 North

Swansea

SA7 North East

Swansea Welsh

1

2

1

2

0

4

1

Welsh & English

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

English & some bilingual elements

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

English

15

12

10

10

7

10

4

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Table 73 indicates that there is appropriate coverage/availability across the Swansea locality, including aligned to the relative population levels of the seven sub-localities and the incidence of Welsh being spoken as a (first) language.

116

6.2 Table 74 presents the attendance profile of children aged 3 and 4 years – including by session and age – who were accessing an early years part-time education in the autumn term for the school year 2016 – 2017.

Table 74: Attendance profile of children attending early years part time education (Foundation Phase) provision at primary schools

Provision by Primary Schools Language

Number of 3 year olds (am)

Number of 3 year olds (pm)

Number of 4 year olds (am) Number of 4 year olds (pm)

SA1 SA2 SA3 SA4 SA5 SA6 SA7 SA1 SA2 SA3 SA4 SA5 SA6 SA7 SA1 SA2 SA3 SA4 SA5 SA6 SA7 SA1 SA2 SA3 SA4 SA5 SA6 SA7

Welsh

4

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

17

0

24

0

6

17

19

68

0

109

28

17

40

26

32

0

7

24

Welsh & English

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

English

38

16

7

12

16

40

8

56

0

23

27

40

11

18

301

163

115

224

146

237

88

178

55

94

117

89

32

0

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

6.3 Table 75 presents the number of early years part-time education places which were being occupied and which were

forecast to be occupied for the three terms comprising the 2016 – 2017 school year.

Table 75: Overall number of Early Years Part Time Education (Foundation Phase) places – by school term

Term Number of Children/Places Autumn 2016 2,891 Spring 2017 3,266 Forecast Summer 2017 3,466 (estimated)

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6.4 The following section presents the provision and take-up of Flying Start programme places in Swansea in late 2016.

The Flying Start programme is targeted at the 0 – 3 years age group in areas of disadvantage across Wales (and Swansea) and aims to influence positive outcomes in the medium and long term. At the centre of the programme is free quality, part-time childcare for 2 – 3 year olds. The Flying Start geographic localities and the settings which were delivering the childcare element of the Flying Start offer in late 2016 can be viewed at: www.swansea.gov.uk/article/8923/Flying-Start-settings .

Table 76, demonstrates the number of providers of the childcare element of the Flying Start offer by locality – in late 2016

Full Day Care/ Nursery Sessional Day Care Childminder

SA1 SA2

SA3

SA4

SA5

SA6

SA7

SA1

SA2

SA3

SA4

SA5

SA6

SA7

SA1

SA2

SA3

SA4

SA5

SA6

SA7

Welsh

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Welsh &English

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

2

0

1

3

3

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

English

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Table 76 indicates that there is appropriate coverage/availability across the Swansea locality within its sessional daycare sector, including aligned to the relative population levels of the seven sub-localities and the incidence of Welsh being spoken as a (first) language. For example, the Welsh speaking setting is situated within the SA6 postcode area which has a relatively higher incidence of Welsh speaking families resident in wards such as Mawr.

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6.5 Table 77 presents the number of (sessional childcare) settings which only provide Flying Start places.

Table 77: Numbers of Flying Start only providers aligned to localities of Swansea

Full Day Care/ Nursery Sessional Day Care Childminder

SA1 SA2

SA3

SA4

SA5

SA6

SA7

SA1

SA2

SA3

SA4

SA5

SA6

SA7

SA1

SA2

SA3

SA4

SA5

SA6

SA7

Welsh

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Welsh & English

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

1

0

1

3

3

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

English

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

6.6 Table 78 overleaf presents the attendance profile of children aged 2 years, resident in the programme target areas –

including by session type – who were accessing a Flying Start place in the autumn term of 2016 – 2017.

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Table 78: Weekly attendance profile of appropriately aged children at Flying Start places – aligned to language medium (autumn 2016)

Language /Day

Number of funded places (am) Number of funded places (pm)

SA1

SA2 SA3 SA4 SA5 SA6 SA7 SA1 SA2 SA3 SA4 SA5 SA6 SA7

Welsh

Mon 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 Tues 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 Weds 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 Thurs 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 Fri 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 Welsh & English

Mon 154 0 0 8 92 32 8 148 12 0 12 96 40 8 Tues 154 0 0 8 92 32 8 148 12 0 12 96 40 8 Weds 154 0 0 8 92 32 8 148 12 0 12 96 40 8 Thurs 154 0 0 8 92 32 8 148 12 0 12 96 40 8 Fri 154 0 0 8 92 32 8 148 12 0 12 96 40 8 English & some bilingual elements

Mon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tues 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Weds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Thurs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

120

English

Mon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tues 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Weds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Thurs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Other

Mon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tues 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Weds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Thurs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fri 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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7. Consultation with Schools in Swansea – with a focus on breakfast club provision 7.1 In December 2016 and January 2017, the City and Council of Swansea

undertook an ‘additional provision’-themed survey. Essentially, all primary, secondary schools, special schools and Pupil Referral Units that are situated in the local authority area were invited to participate in a telephone interview in order to ascertain:

Coverage of childcare operating directly at a school site’s – including before school/breakfast club provision

Views on childcare sufficiency in (their) localised areas Incidence of any plans for on-site childcare

7.2 62 educational establishments participated in either a telephone interview or completed a supplementary on-line questionnaire (which replicated the questions asked via the telephone interviews). This represented a response rate of 62% of the City and Council of Swansea’s schools sector. In terms of the respondent’s backgrounds:

46 were primary schools 12 were secondary schools 2 were special schools 2 were Pupil Referral Units

Table 79 demonstrates the postcode areas within which the schools which responded to the survey are located.

Table 79: Postcode areas within which the schools which responded to the survey are located

Postcode Area Total number of schools

that responded

Primary Schools

Secondary Schools

Pupil referral units

Special schools

SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 15 12 2 0 1 SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 7 5 2 0 0 SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 5 4 1 0 0 SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 10 7 3 0 0 SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 10 7 1 2 0 SA6 i.e. North Swansea 12 9 2 0 1 SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 3 2 1 0 0

Totals 62 46 12 2 2 7.3 (Appropriate representatives of) schools were asked whether they currently had

childcare operating from their school site. 92% of the responding schools did operate at least one form of childcare from their site. Table 80 demonstrates the

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incidence of specific types of childcare being provided, aligned to Swansea’s postcode areas. Table 80: Incidence of specific types of childcare being provided, aligned to Swansea’s postcode areas

Postcode Area

Number of schools

that evidently provided

After School

Childcare

Number of schools

that evidently provided

Wrap Around

Childcare

Number of schools

that evidently

provided a Playgroup

Number of schools

that evidently

provided a Cylch

Meithrin

Number of schools

that evidently provided Holiday

Childcare

Number of [primary] schools

that evidently

provided a Welsh

Government funded

Breakfast Club

Number of schools

that evidently hosted a

Flying Start

provision

SA1 6 0 1 0 3 12 0 SA2 5 0 0 1 2 5 0 SA3 1 1 0 0 1 4 0 SA4 5 1 0 0 2 7 0 SA5 3 0 1 0 2 7 2 SA6 4 2 1 0 3 9 0 SA7 0 1 0 0 0 2 0

Table 80 demonstrates that the most frequent type of childcare provided at a school (site) was a: free of charge Welsh Government funded breakfast club. Primary schools were most frequently hosting such a Welsh Government funded breakfast club. Both of the primary special schools hosted an after school club and one also hosted a holiday playscheme. One of the pupil referral units hosted a Welsh Government funded breakfast club.

7.4 (Appropriate representatives of) schools were asked: In your opinion, do you

believe that there is sufficient childcare available locally to cater for the childcare needs of the families that attend your school? In response:

42% of schools stated: Yes 29% of schools stated: No 29% of schools stated: Don’t Know

Table 81 overleaf outlines the feedback aligned to postcode areas.

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Table 81: Proportion of schools judging that there is sufficiency of childcare within their local area

Postcode Area % of

respondents that believed

there was sufficient childcare

% of respondents that believed there was not

sufficient childcare

% of respondents that did not

know whether there was not


SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 53% 33% 14% SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 28% 0 72% SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 20% 40% 40% SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 70% 0 30% SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 30% 40% 30% SA6 i.e. North Swansea 33% 50% 17% SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 67% 0 33%

The postcode area that accounted for the highest percentage of representatives of schools who believed that there was sufficient childcare available locally, to address the childcare needs of the families that attended their school(s) was SA4, i.e. effectively, North West Swansea. Alternatively, the postcode area that accounted for the lowest percentage of representatives of schools who believed that there was sufficient childcare available locally, to address the childcare needs of the families that attended their school(s) was SA3, i.e. effectively, South West Swansea. In terms of the representatives of primary schools, the highest percentage believed that there was sufficient childcare available locally (48%). In terms of the representatives of secondary schools, the highest percentage evidently did not know whether there was sufficient childcare available locally (50%).

Accompanying feedback from representatives of schools who did believe that there was a sufficiency of childcare in their immediate area included:

“There is a lot of nurseries who offer childcare and they pick-up and drop-off at the school. Also, there is at least three childminders who come to the school”. (Llansamlet ward-based primary school)

“I assume [that there is sufficiency] as we have not been approached about running an after school club”. (Llangyfelach ward-based primary school)

Accompanying feedback from representatives of schools who did not know whether there was a sufficiency of childcare in their immediate area focused on a theme of “there being no evident demand” and included:

“Parents haven't asked for anything that we don't offer… so we haven't noticed a need”. (Fairwood ward-based primary school)

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“As our children are older there is not much call for it”. (Mynyddbach ward-based secondary school)

Accompanying feedback from representatives of Swansea-based schools who did not believe that there was a sufficiency of childcare in their immediate area repeatedly highlighted further need for either an (a) after school club or (b) holiday playscheme and included:

“We have local playgroups and nurseries… and there is a holiday club in the summer; but I think parents would appreciate a ‘holiday club’ in the Easter and Christmas holidays. This would be particularly helpful for our parents at the [Swansea] University whose holidays are different from our schools”. (Uplands ward-based secondary school)

“A government funded after school club and holiday club are needed in this area”. (Morriston ward-based primary school)

“An after school club that runs for whole [term-time] week and probably a holiday club, would be popular around here – if it was affordable”. (Penderry ward-based primary school)

“Affordable childcare is much needed. There are parents living in this area who are ineligible for Flying Start and can't afford to go back to work… as childcare costs are too high”. (Castle ward-based primary school)

“There is not enough childcare for local children who are ‘severely disabled’. (Castle ward-based special primary school)

7.5 (Appropriate representatives of) schools were asked: have parents recently

approached you regarding childcare? 63% of all respondents stated that their school had not known any parents

recently making an approach about childcare – and the possibility of the school facilitating or hosting (more) provision.

37% of all respondents stated that their school had had recent experience of being approached about the possibility of the school facilitating or hosting (more) provision.

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Table 82: Incidence of schools recently being approached about the possibility of them hosting or facilitating (more) childcare aligned to postcode area

Postcode Area % of schools that had known parents

approaching them about childcare

% of schools that had not known parents approaching them

about childcare

SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 40% 60% SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 0 100% SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 60% 40% SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 30% 70% SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 30% 70% SA6 i.e. North Swansea 50% 50% SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 33% 66%

Table 82 demonstrates that the SA3 postcode/South West Swansea area accounted for the highest number of schools stating they had recently been approached by parents regarding the possibility of the school hosting or facilitating (more) childcare.

In terms of the responding primary schools, 43% stated that they had recently been approached by parents regarding the possibility of the school hosting or facilitating (more) childcare. In terms of the responding secondary schools, 17% stated that they had recently been approached by parents regarding the possibility of the school hosting or facilitating (more) childcare. Supplementary feedback from such schools on the types of childcare included:

“Some of our parents are frustrated that we are not able to provide a breakfast club from 8.00am and an after school club on-site. Unfortunately, neither is financially viable… and also there is no physical space available (see 7.6 below)”. (Newton ward-based primary school)

“The school has looked into providing after school childcare, perhaps in partnership with another school, however it would be ‘a burden’ for the school to take on”. (Gower based primary school) “We were approached by parents for [after school] childcare, but when the school did then offer the provision it was not taken up”. (Morriston ward-based primary school) “Working parents are always looking for more childcare… including from us. They would put small children into breakfast clubs, wrap-around [child]care and after school clubs. We try and discourage this as [we believe] it is too long a day for small children”. (Castle ward-based primary school) “We regularly have parents asking if the staff would like to work at the weekends or after school… as the children need very specialist care.” (Castle ward-based special primary school)

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“Parents who work 8.00am – 6.00pm core hours have sought either advice or help from us, in managing their childcare arrangements”. (Bonymaen ward-secondary school)

7.6 (Appropriate representatives of) schools were asked: Do you have any available

space within your school in which a new childcare provision could potentially be developed? In response:

27% of schools stated: Yes 40% of schools stated: No 33% of schools stated: Don’t Know

In terms of the representatives of primary schools, the most frequent response was that a school did not feel they had space available for a new childcare provision to be developed (40%). However, this was followed closely by a belief that they did potentially have space (35%). 25% of respondents/representatives did not know. In terms of the representatives of secondary schools, the most frequent response was that a respondent/representative did not know if they had space available for a new childcare provision to be developed (50%). 41% did not feel they had space available for a new childcare provision to be developed. Only one school judged that they did potentially have such physical space. The two special primary schools and two Pupil Referral units stated that they did not have space. Of those schools that stated they did potentially have space, specific supplementary feedback included:

“Yes, if there was supporting funding, we could find space”. (Morriston ward-based primary school)

“The school has a working party looking into all aspects of running a new after school provision.” (Pennard ward-based primary school) “We do have provision in existence and could [physically] extend it if we could staff it”. (Bonymaen ward-based secondary school) “If a provision depended on the teachers and caretakers working extra hours then the length of time they are allowed to work each day could be a factor” (Gowerton ward-based secondary school)

Of those schools that stated that did not have space, specific supplementary feedback included: “I don't think we have any suitable space available”. (Landore ward-based primary school)

127

“We have a new Specialist Training Facility unit being put up so don't think there would be room” (Llansamlet ward-based secondary school)

7.7 (Appropriate representatives of) schools were asked: What is the likelihood of families taking up childcare if it was offered at your site?

The (collective) response(s) to this question can be categorised into four types:

Those who believed that it was unlikely that their families would take up such childcare (53%)

Those who believed that (at this stage) it was difficult to say (20%) Those who believed that, if childcare was offered, their families would be

likely to use it (15%) Those who believed their families already used and had sufficient

childcare, either through their setting or through a[nother] local childcare provider (12%)

15% of respondents from primary schools believed it was likely that (their) families would take up childcare if it was offered. 8% of respondents from secondary schools answered identically. Table 83 indicates responses aligned to postcode.

Table 83: Incidence of responses about potential take-up of additional on (school) site childcare Postcode Area where school was located

% of respondents that believed

that it was unlikely parents

would take up (more) childcare

% of respondents

that felt at this stage it was difficult

to say

% of respondents that believed

that it was likely parents would take up (more) childcare

% of respondents that believed their families already had


SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 47% 27% 27% 0 SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 43% 0 28.5% 28.5% SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 40% 20% 20% 20% SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 60% 10% 0 30% SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 6% 20% 10% 10% SA6 i.e. North Swansea 58% 25% 8% 8% SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 67% 33% 0 0

The postcode area that accounted for the highest percentage of schools that believed their parents would be likely to take up additional childcare if it was offered was SA2, followed in frequency by SA1. Supplementary responses from those schools who believed it was unlikely tended to focus on the theme of cost and included:

128

“Take-up would be unlikely unless it was free. Most of our parents have to rely on family and friends for childcare… and many can't go out to work because they cannot afford the childcare costs.” (Morriston ward-based primary school) “Take-up would be highly unlikely as our parents would not be able to afford it”. (Mawr ward-based primary school)

“Our school has a mixture of affluent as well as unemployed families so if costs were kept low I believe there would be a good take-up. A holiday club would likely be popular too.” (…also Mawr ward-based primary school) “I do not think after school childcare would be cost effective… our breakfast club already runs at a loss. Basically, grandparents around here help with childcare… it is a close community”. (Llansamlet ward-based primary school) “Take-up would be unlikely… This would not just due to lack of money, it would also be due to the fact that we have a wide geographical area that our pupils come from.” (Townhill ward-based primary school)

“There is very little chance of our parents taking-up [more] childcare as not many of them work… it’s just that sort of area.” (Pupil Referral Unit)

129

8. Consultation(s) with Parents and Carers 8.1 The following section presents the outcomes of 450 consultation responses

received from parents and carers who were resident across Swansea in late 2016. The (combined) response were achieved via (a) a series of structured telephone interviews and (b) via an on-line survey which was accessible via the City and Council of Swansea’s corporate web-site from late October 2016 – mid-December 2016. A sample framework was developed which ensured coverage of parental opinion and feedback (a) across the seven main Swansea (first three digit) postcode areas, i.e.: SA1, SA2, SA3, SA4, SA5, SA6 and SA7 and (b) from both families with 0 – 4 years olds (who would be eligible to access formal early years childcare) and families with 5 – 15 year olds (who would be eligible to access formal out of school childcare).

8.2 The 450 respondents were evidently speaking Welsh, English and other

languages in their home with the following frequency. Table 84: Frequency with which specific languages were the primary language

spoken within the respondent’s home

Primary language spoken in home Percentage of parents stating Welsh only 1% English only 82% Bi-lingual: English and Welsh27 14% Other languages 3%

Other repeated languages highlighted by certain responding parents were:

(Most frequently by four parents) Polish Chinese French

The two wards which accounted for the highest incidence of: bi-lingual English and Welsh were:

1. Mawr 2. Pennard

27 The 2012 – 2013 National Survey for Wales – a large-scale survey of (a sample of almost 15,000) people undertaken by the Welsh Government – demonstrated that 16% of respondents in Swansea stated that they could speak [a degree of] Welsh.

130

8.3 The age groups of responding parents are set out in Table 85 below.

Table 85: Age groups of responding parents

Age Group Percentage of parents stating Under 16 years 0 16 – 25 years 3% 26 – 39 years 46% 40 – 55 years 46% 56 – 65 years 3% 66 years and over 1% Rather not say 1%

Table 85 demonstrates that the most frequent age group of a responding parent

was 26 – 39 years – and with equal frequency 40 – 55 years. 8.4 The frequency with which responding parents stated how they would describe

their national identity is outlined below. Table 86: Frequency in how parents opted to describe their national identity

Classification Percentage of parents stating Welsh 57% English 10% Scottish <1% Northern Irish 0 British 28% Other 4% Prefer Not to Say 1%

Other repeated nationalities stated by responding parents included:

(Most frequently, by four parents) Polish Chinese French Portuguese

131

8.5 8% of parents stated that they had a physical condition, mental health condition or illness(es) lasting, or expected to last, for 12 months or more. Of those parents, the following numbers stated that:

My condition and/or illness reduces my ability a lot to carry out day-to-day activities = 3%

My condition and/or illness reduces my ability a little to carry out day-to-day activities = 3%

My condition and/or illness does not reduce my ability to carry out day-to-day activities = 2%

The majority of these parents stated that they were not using any formal childcare but that they were being supported with childcare by family and friends.

8.6 Table 87 shows the ethnicity of the responding parents.

Table 87: Ethnicity of responding parents

Stated Ethnicity Percentage of parents stating

White Welsh/English/Scottish/Northern Irish/British 93% Irish 0 Gypsy or Irish Traveller 2% Any other White background 1% Mixed Multiple Ethnic Groups White and Black Caribbean 1% White and Black African 0 White and Asian 0 Any other Mixed/multiple ethnic background 0 Asian/Asian British Indian 1% Pakistani 0 Bangladeshi 1% Chinese 1% Any other Asian background 1% Black/African/Caribbean/Black British African <1% Caribbean 0 Any other Black/African/Caribbean background 0 Other Ethnic Group Arab 0 Any other ethnic group <1%

Table 87 indicates that the most frequent ethnicity of the parents and their family was White British (93% of parents) – a percentage which is comparable to the 2011 ONS Census reporting for the Swansea locality.

132

8.7 Table 88 indicates the stated faith of the responding parents.

Table 88: Faith of responding parents

Stated Faith Percentage of parents stating

No religion 51% Buddhist 1% Christian (all denominations) 43% Hindu 1% Jewish 0 Muslim 1% Sikh 0 Other 0 Rather not say 3%

Table 88 indicates that the most frequent faith of the responding parents was Christian (43% of parents). Over one-half of parents stated that they did not have a faith.

8.8 Responding parents were invited to state/estimate their annual family household

income – (before) tax. Table 89: Annual family household income – (before) tax

Annual Household income (Ranges)

Percentage of parents stating

£0-£10,000 per annum 4% £10,001-£20,000 per annum 7% £20,001-£30,000 per annum 14% £30,001-£40,000 per annum 11% £40,001-£50,000 per annum 11% £50,001-£60,000 per annum 8% £60,001-£70,000 per annum 5% £70,000+ per annum 9% I don’t know 9% I would rather not say 22%

Table 89 indicates that the most frequent annual household income (before tax) of parents was £20,001-£30,000 per annum, followed in frequency by £30,001 - £40,000 per annum and with equal frequency £40,001 - £50,000 per annum.

8.9 87% of responding parents stated that they were currently cohabiting or married. 11% of responding parents stated that they were currently single/lone parents28.

28 The 2011 ONS Census reported that within Swansea 7.8% of households comprised lone parent (families) with dependent children – i.e. 8,063 households.

133

(2% of respondents preferred not to say). A further summary of responding parent’s status is presented in Table 90 below.

Table 90: Relationship status of responding parents

Relationship status Percentage of parents

stating

Married or cohabiting 97% Never married and never registered in a same sex civil partnership 2% Separated, but still legally married 0 Divorced 1% Widowed 0 In a registered same-sex civil partnership 0 Separated, but still legally in a same-sex civil partnership 0 Formerly in a same-sex civil partnership which is now legally dissolved 0 Surviving partner from a same-sex civil partnership 0 Prefer not to say 0

8.10 Responding parents were also invited to state what their current day-to-day

status was. Table 91: Responding parents’ current day-to-day status

Day-to-day status Percentage of parents

stating

Parent/Carer in work (not expecting a baby) 69% Parent/Carer in education or training (not expecting a baby) 2% Parent/Carer seeking work (not expecting a baby) 1% Parent/Carer expecting or on maternity/paternity leave with children 9% Parent/Carer seeking education or training (not expecting a baby) <1% Adopting or on adoption leave with additional children <1% Parent/Carer not in work 17% Expecting or on maternity/ paternity leave with my first child 1%Adopting my first child 0

Table 91 indicates that the most frequent day-to-day status of a responding parent was: parent/carer in work (not expecting a baby), followed in frequency by: parent/carer not in work – in most cases what could also be termed: a mother, at home looking after their child(ren).

134

8.11 Parents were invited to state how many children they were raising that were in specific age groups. Table 92 indicates the frequency with which the consultation observed specific age groups being raised.

Table 92: Frequency with which the consultation observed specific age groups being raised

Age Group Percentage of

parents with at least one child in

age group Under 12 months 11% 12 – 18 months 7% 19 – 23 months 5% 2 years 8% 3 years 13% 4 years 13% 5 – 7 years 25% 8 – 11 years 38% 12 – 14 years 38% 15 – 19 years 22%

8.12 13% of responding parents were evidently raising a child or children who had

some form of disability or additional needs. Table 93 shows the number/percentage of total children who had specific disabilities or additional needs.

Table 93: Incidence of parents/carers raising a child who had specific disabilities or additional needs Disability/Special Needs Percentage of all

responding parents raising a child with disability

Collective number of applicable children being raised by responding parents/carers

Speech and language 3% 13 Specific learning (dyslexia) 5.5% 25 Hearing difficulties 1% 7 Visual difficulties 0 0 Emotional and behavioural difficulties 3% 13 Physical 1.5% 6 Medical condition (specify) 1% 3 Other 4% 13

Table 93 indicates that the most frequent additional need(s) of a child being raised by the responding parents was a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia.

135

‘Other’ repeated additional needs stated by parents were repeatedly Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Asperger’s Syndrome. It was also observed through the 2017 CSA Parents Survey that:

70% of such carers stated that they were: working parents 29% were using at least one type of formal childcare (and 71% were not) The most frequently stated reason for not using any formal childcare for a

child with specific disabilities or additional needs was: my partner/family/friends look after my child(ren)

15% of such carers stated that a reason for not using any formal childcare for a child with specific disabilities or additional needs was: there is no suitable childcare available (for a child with additional needs or a disability)

22% of such carers stated that at some point in the past childcare had not been available when they had needed it

Out of school childcare was – by a significant margin – the most frequent type of childcare being accessed by a child with additional needs or disabilities (as stated by 47% of parents who were carers)

Out of school childcare was also the most frequent type of formal childcare such parents/carers envisaged that they would access in the future, stated by 12% of all applicable parents

8.13 Essentially, all responding parents were requested to state whether they were

currently accessing/using any childcare (other than themselves) – for any of their children. This response did NOT include the accessing of any free part-time education places for parents of 3 and/or 4 year olds.

The following was observed:

1% stated: I’m expecting a baby and use childcare for all/some of my children and intend to use childcare for my unborn child in the future

27% stated: I use childcare for all of my children

16% stated: I use childcare for some of my children

56% stated: No, I don’t use childcare

The ward which accounted for the most frequent statement: I use childcare for all of my children or I use childcare for some of my children was Cockett in the central vicinity of the local authority area.

136

The ward which accounted for the most frequent statement: No, I don’t use childcare was Newton in the southern vicinity of the local authority area.

137

8.14 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were invited to state the specific type(s) of childcare which they were accessing in late 2016.

Table 94: Frequency with which parents who were accessing childcare in late 2016 stated that were accessing a specific type of childcare

Broad type of childcare

% of applicable

parents stating

full daycare

% of applicable

parents stating

half daycare

(am)

% of applicable

parents stating

half daycare

(pm)

% of applicable parents stating

before school/breakfast

club

% of applicable

parents stating after

school club

% of applicable

parents stating wrap

around

% of applicable

parents stating holiday

provision in school

holidays

% of applicable

parents stating crèche

% of applicable

parents stating

lunch club

% of applicable

parents stating stating

playscheme

Childminder

2%

2%

2%

1%

3.5%

0

3%

0

0

0

Full daycare (nursery)

25%

7%

2%

2%

4%

5%

1%

0

0

1%

Sessional childcare

0

10%

4%

1%

1%

1%

1%

0

0

0

Crèche

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0 30%

27%

1%

15%

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Table 94 indicates that the three most frequent types of specific formal childcare which applicable parents (i.e. users) were accessing in late 2016 were:

1. Before school/breakfast club 2. After school club 3. Full daycare nursery

Crucially it can also be noted that 33% of applicable parents stated that they (also) accessed family and/or friends – most frequently stated by applicable parents who were resident in the Penderry ward.

138

8.15 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were requested to clarify what the main reason was for them using childcare, in late 2016 – see Table 95.

Table 95: Main reason for childcare usage in late 2016

Reasons Percentage of

applicable responses

I go/will be going to work 69% Social or learning benefits for my child(ren) 17% To take advantage of Early Years Education Entitlement 3% To take advantage of Flying Start Entitlement 3% I do/will be doing unpaid voluntary work 2% I am/will be seeking training or education opportunities 1% I am/will be studying 0 I am/will be seeking work 0Because I quality for financial support 0 Other 5%

Table 95 indicates that the most frequent reason that a ‘childcare user’ was accessing such provision/support in late 2016 was: to enable them to go to work, followed in frequency by: social or learning benefits for my child(ren). ‘Other’ reasons which were repeated were (words to the effect):

“My child enjoys going to his breakfast club”. “Because I do not have any family that can help me with childcare”. It was also observed that:

1 : 5 of parents from non-White British backgrounds were evidently accessing at least one type of childcare, most frequently a sessional childcare provider, and most frequently in order to enable them to go to work

The most frequent annual household income bracket of parents stating: I use childcare to go to work was: £40,001 – £50,000

37% of lone parents were evidently accessing at least one type of childcare, most frequently a form of out of school childcare and most frequently in order to enable them to go to work

8.16 Table 96 overleaf outlines the frequency with which applicable parents provided

specific metrics for the two most recurrent forms of childcare observed in Table 94 – i.e. full daycare and after school childcare.

139

Table 96: Example of current usage – specified by the cohort of parents who were using formal childcare in late 2016

Age group Childcare Type Total Number

of children Number Full Time

Number Part Time

Number Ad-Hoc

0 – 12 months

Full Daycare

5

1

4

0


0

0

0

0

13 – 18 months

Full Daycare

6

2

0

0


0

0

0

0

19 – 23 months

Full Daycare

7

1

4

0


0

0

0

0

2 years Full Daycare

11

5

6

0


0

0

0

0


17

10

7

0


0

0

0

0


12

3

8

1


7

0

7

0

5 – 7 years

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


29

12

12

5

8 – 11 years

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


41

12

23

6

12 – 14 years

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


5

4

1

0

15 years +

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0

140

Table 96 indicates that there was no recorded incidence of children aged 15 years and over accessing (out of school) childcare, that was setting based.

141

8.17 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were requested to state whether they (a) agreed or (b) disagreed with specific comments related to childcare usage and provision. The collective feedback of applicable parents is presented in Table 97.

Table 97: Percentages of applicable parents who agreed with, or disagreed with, specific statements about childcare provision

Issue Percentage: Agree

Percentage: Disagree

Percentage: Don’t Know

Percentage: Not Applicable

Registered childcare is too expensive 69% 10% 17% 4% I would prefer to use family/friends for childcare 41% 33% 17% 9% I am satisfied with the quality of my childcare during term time 90% 4% 6% 0 I am satisfied with the quality of my childcare during school holidays 86% 8% 6% 0 There is a good choice of childcare in the City 52% 24% 23% 1% Childcare isn’t available at the time required 25% 53% 13% 8% There is little choice in the types of childcare available 28% 46% 22% 3% Childcare is well located 63% 13% 22% 3% There is childcare available for the age(s) of my child(ren) 76% 12% 10% 2% Childcare caters for my child/children’s needs 77% 10% 8% 4% I would like my child/children to attend more registered hours 29% 49% 12% 10% I have a problem with childcare arrangements that are unreliable 9% 63% 13% 15% Lack of childcare is a barrier to me accessing employment or training 13% 64% 11% 13% I know where to find out information about childcare 71% 12% 13% 4% I know where to find information on financial assistance for childcare 53% 26% 15% 6% I think there is enough Welsh Medium childcare 22% 22% 47% 10% There is enough childcare available in the language of my choice 67% 13% 15% 5%

142

The three statements/issues that parents/childcare users most frequently agreed with were (in order of frequency):

1. I am satisfied with the quality of my childcare during term time 2. I am satisfied with the quality of my childcare during school holidays 3. There is childcare available for the age(s) of my child(ren)

The annual household income level which accounted for the most frequent incidence of the statement: childcare is too expensive was £30,001 – £40,000, with 89% of such parents stating that they agreed with this statement.

100% of parents from non-White British backgrounds stated that they agreed with the statement: there is enough childcare available in the language of my choice. All of the applicable parents/respondents who lived in the following wards stated agree to: registered childcare is too expensive:

Penderry Townhill Penllergaer Fairwood Gorseinon Killay South Kingsridge Landore Mawr

All of the applicable parents/respondents who lived in the Mawr ward stated agree to: I would prefer to use family/friends for childcare:

143

8.18 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were requested to indicate how they believed (their) childcare provision could best be improved/priorities for improvement. Table 98 below indicates the percentages of applicable parents who stated specific responses for (a) term-time and/or (b) school holidays.

Table 98: Percentages of childcare users who stated specific improvements for (a) term-time and/or (b) school holidays

Statement Percentage

of applicable responses: i.e. parents accessing Term-Time childcare in late 2016

Percentage of

applicable responses: i.e. parents accessing Holiday-

Time childcare in late 2016

No improvements needed 43% 44% Could be more affordable 32% 31% Other 22% 26% Could be available before 8am 0 0 Could be available before school 7:30am – 9am 6% 5% Could be available 9:00am – 12:00pm 0 1% Could be available lunch time 12:00pm –1:00pm 0 0 Could be available afternoon 12:00pm – 3:30pm 1% 0 Could be available after school 3:30pm – 6pm 7% 3% Could be available available after 6pm 5% 6% Could be available for a full day: 8am – 6pm 2% 5% Could be available overnight 1% 1% Could be available at weekends 4% 6% Could be located closer to home 3% 4% Could be closer to work 1% 0 Could be closer to study 0 0 Could be closer to siblings’ school 1% 0 Could be better at meeting my child’s individual needs 1% 1% Could be Welsh Medium childcare 4% 5% Could be English Medium childcare 1% 0 Could be bilingual childcare 0 0

Table 98 indicates that the three specific statements that applicable parents (i.e. childcare users, in late 2016) denoted for term-time were (in order of frequency):

1. childcare could be more affordable 2. childcare could be available (more) after school, 3.30pm – 6.00pm 3. childcare could be available (more) before school, 7.30am – 9.00am

144

Table 98 also indicates that the three statements that applicable parents (i.e. childcare users) denoted for holiday-time were (in order of frequency):

1. childcare could be more affordable 2. childcare could be available (more) after 6.00pm 3. childcare could be available (more) during weekends

The three wards which accounted for the most frequent incidence of ‘childcare users’ stating: childcare could be more affordable during term-times, were:

Penderry Townhill Clydach

The three wards which accounted for the most frequent incidence of ‘childcare users’ stating: childcare could be more affordable during holiday-times, were:

Penderry Cockett Penllergaer

8.19 Those responding parents who stated: No, I don’t use childcare,

or : I only use childcare for some of children, were requested to confirm a reason or reasons for this response – see Table 99.

Table 99: Reasons for the non-usage of childcare

Reasons for non-usage Percentage of

applicable parents My partner/family/friends look after my children 42% My children are old enough to look after themselves 24% I am/my partner is a stay at home parent and I have no need 33% Childcare is too expensive 16% There is no childcare available at the times that I need it 4% There is no childcare that can cater for my child’s additional needs 2% There is no wrap around or after school club at my child’s school 3% There is no childcare that is in the right location 3% There is no childcare that can cater for my child(ren)’s cultural needs 1% There is no suitable Welsh Medium provision 1% I have problems with transport 1% None stated 5% Other 20%

Note: applicable parents were invited to state multiple reasons, if required.

Table 99 indicates that the most frequent reason for non-usage of (any) childcare by applicable parents was: my partner/family/friends look after my children, followed in frequency by: I am/my partner is a stay at home parent and I have no need. ‘Other’ reasons which were repeated were (words to the effect):

145

(Most frequently, stated by 26 parents) “Because my work hours fit around school times”. “Because I am not working at the moment”. “Because I am [also] a registered childminder”. “My child does not like the school-based clubs”.

The three wards which accounted for the most frequent incidence of: my partner/family/friends look after my child(ren), were:

Penyrheol St. Thomas Killay South

Additionally, the three wards which accounted for the most frequent incidence of: childcare is too expensive, were:

Penderry Townhill Pontardulais

Applicable parents from non-White British backgrounds most frequently stated: I am/my partner is a stay at home parent and I have no need for childcare. Applicable lone parents most frequently stated: I stay at home parent and I have no need for childcare. The annual household income bracket which accounted for the highest incidence of applicable parents stating: childcare is too expensive was: £0.00 - £10,000.

146

8.20 Those responding parents who stated: No, I don’t use childcare, or : I only use childcare for some of children, were requested to state what would be important for them if they were to decide to use childcare at some point in the future – see Table 100.

Table 100: Important factors for forthcoming/potential future childcare use

Factor Percentage of

applicable parents Good quality childcare 50% Affordable childcare 51% For it to be close to my home 30% Social opportunities for my child(ren) 16% Choice of different childcare types 7% Transport to be straightforward 6% For it to be close to my work 9% For it to be close my child(ren)’s school 14% For it to be delivered in a language of choice 2% For there to be play opportunities 13% For it to be accessible after school during school holidays 10% To quality for Tax Credits, childcare vouchers etc 7% Provision for additional learning needs/disabilities 6% Childcare that caters for my child(ren)’s cultural/additional needs 5% Flexible Hours/Ad hoc availability 13% Other 8%

Table 100 indicates that the most frequent factor that applicable parents perceived as important – if they were to use childcare in the future – is: that childcare should be of good quality, followed in frequency by: childcare should be affordable. Other reasons which were repeated were (words to the effect):

(Most frequently, stated by 6 applicable parents) “Staff to be trustworthy”. (Stated by two parents) “Childcare which was Polish-language”. “A word-of-mouth recommendation”.

The three wards which accounted for the most frequent incidence of: childcare would ideally be close to my home, were:

Kingsbridge Gowerton Pontardulais

Applicable parents from non-White British backgrounds most frequently stated: good quality childcare. Applicable lone parents most frequently stated: affordable childcare.

147

The annual household income bracket which accounted for the highest incidence of applicable parents stating: affordable childcare was, once again: £0.00 – £10,000.00.

8.21 Those responding parents who stated: No, I don’t use childcare, or: I only use childcare for some of children, were requested to confirm whether childcare had ever not been available when they may have needed it, in the past. 15% of applicable parents stated that this did apply to them, and of those parents:

20% stated that at some point (in the past) childcare had not been available/accessible before 8.00am

11% stated that at some point (in the past) childcare had not been available/accessible after 6.00pm

2% stated that at some point (in the past) childcare had not been available/accessible overnight

11% stated that at some point (in the past) childcare had not been available/accessible at weekends

60% stated that at some point (in the past) childcare had not been available/accessible at [an] Other period. This was most frequently (childcare had not been accessible) during the school holidays – and it was noted that these parents were resident in the northern vicinity of Swansea

The two wards which accounted for the most frequent incidence of parents stating: childcare – at some point – has not been available when I needed it, in the past were:

Townhill Fairwood

148

8.22 All parents were invited to state any specific type(s) of childcare which they (fairly confidently) expected they would access in the near future – which they were not accessing at the present time (i.e. late 2016). 1 : 4 of the responding parents stated that this scenario applied to themselves and the frequency with which these parents stated specific types of childcare is presented in Table 101 below.

Table 101: Frequency with which parents, who in late 2016, stated that they intended to access childcare in the near future – which they were not accessing at the present time – identified specific types of provision

Broad type of childcare

% of applicable

parents stating full daycare

% of applicable

parents half

daycare (am)

% of applicable

parents stating

half daycare

(pm)

% of applicable parents stating

before school/breakfast

club

% of applicable

parents stating after

school club

% of applicable

parents stating wrap

around

% of applicable

parents stating holiday

provision in school holidays

% of applicable

parents stating crèche

% of applicable

parents stating

lunch club

% of applicable

parents stating

playscheme

Childminder

3%

0

0

0

1%

0

0

0

0

0

Full daycare (nursery)

40%

1%

0

3%

3%

1%

1%

0

0

0

Sessional childcare

0

7%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Creche

7%

1%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

13%

26%

0

16%

0

0

2%

Table 101 indicates that the three most frequent types of specific childcare which applicable parents expected to access at some point in the forthcoming future were:

1. Full daycare place at a full daycare provider – a response that was notably repeated by parents who were resident in the Morriston ward and Oystermouth ward

2. After school club place at an out of school childcare provider 3. Holiday playscheme place at an out of school childcare provider

149

It was also observed that 11% of such/applicable parents stated: family and/or friends was a source of childcare they would be seeking to access in the near future (which they were not accessing at the present time). The same cohort of respondents – who had stated that they intended to use a type of childcare for their child/children in the near future, which they were not accessing in late 2016 – were invited to state what their main reason was for this forthcoming decision – see Table 102.

Table 102: Main (in late 2016) reason for expecting to access childcare in the future (as stated by applicable parents)

Reasons for future-usage Percentage of

applicable respondents

I go/will be going to work 81% I do/will be doing unpaid voluntary work 0 I am/will be studying 4% I am/will be seeking work 4% I am/will be seeking training or education opportunities 1% Social or learning benefits for my child 10% Because I quality for financial support 0 To take advantage of Early Years Education Entitlement 6% To take advantage of Flying Start Entitlement 0 Other 0

Table 102 indicates that the most frequent reason for an applicable parent expecting that they would need to access childcare in the future was: I go/will be going to work, followed in frequency by: social or learning benefits for my child. The same cohort of respondents – who had stated that they intended to use a type of childcare for their child/children in the future, which they were not accessing in late 2016 – were invited to state/confirm: At what age will your child or children be when you start to use childcare?

Table 103 overleaf/below outlines the frequency with which applicable parents provided specific responses for the two most recurrent forms of childcare observed in Table 101 – i.e. full daycare and after school childcare.

150

Table 103: Future usage snapshot metrics – specified by the cohort of parents who were not using childcare in late 2016 but who intended to do so in the future

Age group

Childcare Type Total number of children

Number envisaged to

start FT

Number envisaged to

start PT

Number envisaged

Ad-Hoc

0 – 12 months

Full Daycare

9

5

4

0


0

0

0

0

13 – 18 months

Full Daycare

9

3

6

0


0

0

0

0

19 – 23 months

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


0

0

0

0


2

0

2

0


0

0

0

0


9

7

2

0


0

0

0

0


2

0

1

1


2

2

0

0

5 – 7 years

Full Daycare

2

1

1

0


17

8

5

4

8 – 11 years

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


20

12

4

4

12 – 14 years

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


4

1

1

2

15 years +

Full Daycare

0

0

0

0


1

0

0

1

151

For the 0 – 4 years age group – where there was an incidence of intended (near) future use – the most recurrent type of broad childcare which applicable parents stated they would like to/expected to access was a full daycare provision (most frequently ‘full-time’). For the 5 years and over age group – where there was an incidence of intended (near) future use – the most recurrent type of broad childcare which applicable parents stated they would like to/expected to access was an out of school place (most frequently ‘full-time’).

8.23 Parents/respondents – who had stated that they intended to use a type of

childcare for their child/children in the future, which they were not accessing in late 2016 – were invited to state the times that they envisaged that they would like/require (future) childcare provision – see Table 104.

Table 104: Specific times and days that applicable parents/’future users’ envisaged that they would like/require (future) childcare provision

Time period Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat Sun

All Day i.e. 8:00am – 18:00pm 17% 19% 24% 19% 17% 0 0Early Morning i.e. 7.00am – 9.00am 14% 16% 14% 14% 13% 0 1%Morning i.e. 9:00am – 12:00pm 10% 11% 13% 11% 9% 0 1%Lunchtime i.e. 12:00am – 13:00pm 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Afternoon i.e. 13:00am – 15:30pm 3% 3% 4% 4% 1% 0 0Late Afternoon i.e. 15:30am – 18:00pm 16% 22% 19% 17% 17% 0 0Evening i.e. After 18:00om 3% 6% 9% 6% 6% 0 0Overnight i.e. 18:00pm – 7.00am 0 0 0 0 0 0 1%

Table 104 indicates that the following times/days were stated with notable frequency by applicable parents:

All day on Wednesdays Late afternoon on Tuesdays (For all weekdays, for full daycare provision) all day (For all weekdays, for full daycare provision) early morning(s) (For all weekdays, for out of school childcare provision) late afternoon(s)

8.24 Parents/respondents – who had stated that they intended to use a type of

childcare for their child/children in the future, which they were not accessing in late 2016 – were invited to state whether such envisaged provision would be required for a child who had additional learning needs or require specialist care due to a disability. A total of 5 parents stated that this would be the case (and these parents were most frequently resident in the SA1 postcode area).

152

8.25 Finally, parents/respondents – who had stated that they intended to use a type of childcare for their child/children in the future, which they were not accessing in late 2016 – were invited to state whether they would require childcare to be (a) near to their home (b) near to their place of work or place of study (c) near to their child(ren)’s school:

56% of applicable parents stated: near to my home 20% of applicable parents stated: near to my work/study 24% of applicable parents stated: near to my child(ren)’s school

8.26 96 parents/respondents were evidently raising a 3 year old and/or a 4 year old.

These parents (only) were invited to state whether they were taking-up their entitlement to a free part-time education place at a local, Swansea-based primary school.

90% of parents of a 3 and/or 4 year old answered: Yes 10% of parents of a 3 and/or 4 year old answered: No

The parents of 3 and/or 4 year olds who were not accessing a free part-time education place were requested to state the reason for this – see Table 105. Table 105: Incidence of reasons why relevant parents were not accessing a free part-time education place in late 2016

Reason Percentage of

applicable parents

I did not know about the entitlement 60% I don’t think my child/children will benefit 10% There is an additional charge for extra hours 10% I could not get a place at my chosen provider 20% There is no suitable Welsh Medium provision available 0 Timings of the session doesn’t meet my needs 0

Table 105 indicates that the most frequently stated reason for an eligible parent/family not taking-up a free part-time education place was: I did not know about the entitlement, followed in frequency by: I could not get a place at my chosen provider. Table 106 overleaf indicates the why reasons provided by applicable parents of 3 and 4 year olds for not claiming the free entitlement aligned to geographical areas of Swansea.

153

8.27 Table 106: Reasons provided by applicable parents of 3 and 4 year olds for not claiming the free entitlement – aligned to geographical area of Swansea

Reasoning SA1

postcode: % of

applicable parents

resident in area

SA2 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA3 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA4 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA5 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA6 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA7 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area I don’t know about the entitlement

10%

10%

0

10%

10%

10%

10%

I don’t think my child/children will benefit

0

0

0

0

0

10%

0

My child/children are already in full time education

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

There is an additional charge for extra hours

0

0

0

0

10%

0

0

I could not get a place at my chosen provider

0

0

10%

10%

0

0

0

There is no suitable Welsh Medium provision available

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Timings of the session doesn’t meet my needs

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

154

8.28 Table 107 presents the percentage of parents who had at least one 3 and/or 4 year old in late 2016 who were evidently (a) ‘claiming’ their free part-time early education place or (b) not ‘claiming’ their free part-time early education place – aligned to specific geographical areas.

Table 107: Percentages of parents who had at least one 3 and/or 4 year old in late 2016 who were evidently (a) ‘claiming’ their free part-time early education place or (b) not ‘claiming’ their free part-time early education place – aligned to specific geographical areas

Postcode Area

Percentage of children claiming entitlement

Percentage of respondents not claiming entitlement

SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 93% 7% SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 92% 8% SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 90% 10% SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 90% 10% SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 89% 11% SA6 i.e. North Swansea 86% 14% SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 85% 15%

155

8.29 Table 108 below indicates the incidence of applicable parents who were not taking up the free entitlement 3 and 4 year olds stating that an additional form of childcare provision would help them to do – aligned to geographical areas.

Table 108: Additional childcare requirements highlighted by applicable parents which would enable them to take up their entitlement

Additional Childcare Requirements

SA1 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA2 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA3 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA4 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA5 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA6 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area

SA7 postcode:

% of applicable

parents resident in

area Breakfast Club

11%

17%

0

0

0

0

0

Lunchtime Club

11%

0

0

0

0

0

0

Additional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin/ Nursery session (morning session)

11%

0

0

0

0

0

0

Additional Playgroup/Cylch Meithrin/ Nursery session (afternoon session)

11%

0

0

0

14%

0

0

After nursery/school provision

11%

0

0

0

14%

0

0

156

8.30 In late 2016, (as reported on page 152) 90% of parents – who responded to the survey – who had a 3 and/or 4 year old were evidently accessing a part-time education place at a local primary school (something which they commonly referred to as a “school place”).

. Additionally, all parents and carers who had a child aged 0 – 12 months, 1 year,

2 years and/or 3 years were asked:

“Hypothetically do you think you may be interested in having a Free Early Years Education Place which is more than 10 hours/week – possibly up to 30 hours maximum with the additional 20 hours being childcare?”

82% of applicable parents stated: Yes 9% of parents stated: No 9% of applicable parents stated: Don’t Know

The most frequent amount of hypothetical hours stated was (the full/maximum) 30 – by 77% of applicable parents. The second most frequent was 20 hours, which was stated by 11% of applicable parents. The average amount of hypothetical hours stated was 27 hours – and 35 minutes. The most frequently stated type of childcare provider where such parents would (again hypothetically) envisage accessing (a proportion of) such an extended (childcare orientated) entitlement was a full daycare setting (73% of applicable parents), followed in frequency by a sessional daycare setting (23% of applicable parents). 8% of applicable parents stated that they would envisage accessing such provision with a childminder.

157

8.31 1 : 10 of parents/respondents were evidently raising a 2 year old child.

These parents were invited to state whether – to the best of their knowledge – they were resident in a designated Flying Start area

24% of parents of 2 year olds answered: Yes 33% of parents of 2 year olds answered: No 42% of parents of 2 year olds answered: Don’t Know

Parents of two year olds who lived in a Flying Start area were also invited to state if they were currently accessing a Flying Start place – i.e. if they were eligible to do so. Essentially,

50% of applicable parents of 2 year olds answered: Yes, I am accessing a Flying Start

50% of applicable parents of 2 year olds answered: No with the following reasons being stated by at least one applicable parent:

- I don’t think my child/children will benefit - I could not get a place at my chosen provider - There is no suitable Welsh Medium provision available It was observed that the numbers of parents of 2 year olds – who were resident in a target area – stating a reason for not accessing a Flying Start place was negligible – indicating that there was no evident issue with regard to barriers to take-up.

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8.32 Table 109 below indicates the percentage of (applicable) parents who had at least one 2 year old in late 2016 who were evidently accessing a Flying Start place – aligned to specific geographical areas. Table 109: Evident Take Up of Flying Start places - as per parental survey

Postcode Area

Percentage of applicable respondents resident in

a Flying Start Area

Percentage of parents accessing a Flying Start

place

Percentage of parents not accessing a Flying

Start place SA1 i.e. South East Swansea 50% 100% 0 SA2 i.e. South Central Swansea 25% 100% 0 SA3 i.e. South West Swansea 15% 0 100% SA4 i.e. North West Swansea 25% 33% 67% SA5 i.e. North Central Swansea 100% 100% 0 SA6 i.e. North Swansea 25% 0 100% SA7 i.e. North East Swansea 0 n/a n/a

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8.33 Table 110 indicates the why reasons provided by applicable (and eligible) parents who were not accessing a Flying Start place.

Table 110: Incidence of reasons provided by applicable (and evidently eligible parents) for not accessing a Flying Start place

Reasoning SA1

postcode South East

Swansea

SA2 postcode

South Central

Swansea

SA3 postcode

South West

Swansea

SA4 postcode

North West

Swansea

SA5 postcode

North Central

Swansea

SA6 postcode

North Swansea

SA7 postcode

North East

Swansea I don’t know about the entitlement

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

I don’t think my child/children will benefit

0

0

Stated by 1 parent

0

0

0

0

I could not get a place at my chosen provider

0

0

0

Stated by 1 parent

0

0

0

There is no suitable Welsh Medium provision available

0

0

0

Stated by 1 parent

0

0

0

I did not want a place in the local setting

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other X

0

0

0

0

0

Stated by 1 parent

0

160

8.34 The Tables presented on pages 161 – 169 demonstrate a very limited incidence of parents and carers – who were consulted during the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment – accessing a type of financial support, or benefit, which evidently helped them to pay for their childcare costs…

Indeed, of the parents/carers who confirmed that they were accessing at least one type of formal childcare provision in late 2016 (i.e. 43% of total sample), only 10% were evidently claiming the childcare element of working tax/universal credit.

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8.35 Table 111: Percentage of applicable parents claiming the childcare element of working tax/universal credit – Geographical Distribution

Postcode Area of residence

Percentage of applicable respondents/parents claiming

Childcare Type Used

SA1 8% 0 = Childminder 1 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Creche 0 = After School Club 0 = Breakfast Club 0 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision 0 = Nanny

SA2 22% 0 = Childminder 0 = Nursery 1 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Creche 0 = After School Club 1 = Breakfast Club and 1 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision 0 = Nanny

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Childcare Type Used

SA3 16% 0 = Childminder 1 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Crèche 1 = After School Club 0 = Breakfast Club 0 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision 0 = Nanny


163



Childcare Type Used


SA6 0 0 = Childminder 0 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Crèche 0 = After School Club 0 = Breakfast Club 0 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision 0 = Nanny

SA7 8% 0 = Childminder 0 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Crèche 1 = After School Club and 1 = Breakfast Club 0 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision

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8.36 Those parents (i.e. users of childcare) who were not accessing/claiming the childcare element of working tax/universal credit in late 2016 were invited to state whether they intended to do so in the future. Their responses – aligned to geographical areas of Swansea – are summarised in Table 112 below.

Table 112: Future intentions with regard to claiming the childcare element of working tax/ universal credit

SA1

postcode SE

Swansea

SA2 postcode S Central Swansea

SA3 postcode

South West Swansea

SA4 postcode

North West Swansea

SA5 postcode N Central Swansea

SA6 postcode

North Swansea

SA7 postcode

North East Swansea

Percentage of applicable parents not claiming

94%

92%

88%

85%

87%

100%

94%

[Of that percentage...] Intend to claim in future

6%

0

0

5%

0

0

0

Don’t intend claiming in future

88%

100%

100%

90%

92%

100%

100%

Unsure, if they will claim in future

6%

0

0

5%

8%

0

0

Those parents who stated that they did intend to claim the childcare element of working tax/universal credit in the forthcoming future evidently intended to do so in order to help them meet the costs of (most frequently) a registered childminder or a breakfast club.

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8.37 Of the parents/carers who confirmed that they were accessing at least one type of formal childcare provision in late 2016 (i.e. 43% of total sample), only 9% were evidently claiming tax free childcare or receiving (financial) assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme.

Table 113: Number of parents evidently claiming tax free childcare or receiving assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme – Geographical Distribution



Childcare Type Used

SA1 0 0 = Childminder 0 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Creche 0 = After School Club 0 = Breakfast Club 0 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision 0 = Nanny


166



Childcare Type Used



167



Childcare Type Used


SA6 0 0 = Childminder 0 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = Creche 0 = After School Club 0 = Breakfast Club 0 = Playscheme 0 = Open Access Play Provision 0 = Nanny

SA7 15% 0 = Childminder 2 = Nursery 0 = Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup 0 = After School Club 0 = Breakfast Club

Table 113 above indicated a relatively higher incidence of parents claiming tax free childcare of assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme in the SA2 postcode area – which essentially represents (geographically) the commercial hub of Swansea.

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8.38 Those parents (i.e. users of childcare) who were not claiming tax free childcare or assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme in late 2016 were invited to state whether they intended to do so in the future. Their responses – aligned to geographical areas of Swansea – are summarised in Table 114 below.

Table 114: Future intentions with regard to claiming tax free childcare or assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme

SA1

postcode SE Swansea


SA3 postcode South West Swansea

SA4 postcode North West Swansea


SA6 postcode North Swansea

SA7 postcode

North East Swansea

Percentage of applicable parents not claiming

100%

78.5%

95%

90%

95%

100%

88%

[Of that percentage...] Intend to claim in future

39%

0

10%

4%

11%

9%

7%

Don’t intend claiming in future

56%

100%

85%

96%

84%

91%

87%

Unsure, if they will claim in future

5%

0

5%

0

5%

0

6%

Those parents who stated that they did intend to claim tax free childcare or assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme in the forthcoming future most frequently evidently intended to do so in order to help them meet the costs of a full daycare provider – with repeated frequency, in the SA1 postcode area/South East Swansea.

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8.39 Those parents (i.e. users of childcare) who were not accessing/claiming tax free childcare or assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme in late 2016 were invited to state the reason. The frequency of their (type of) responses – aligned to geographical areas of Swansea – are summarised in Table 115 below.

Table 115: Reasons given by applicable parents for not intending to claim the tax free childcare or assistance through an Employer Supported Scheme

Percentage of applicable respondents Reasoning SA1

postcode SE

Swansea


SA3 postcode

South West Swansea

SA4 postcode

North West Swansea


SA6 postcode

North Swansea

SA7 postcode

North East

Swansea I do not know about the childcare element of the working tax credit/universal credit

27%

14%

28%

12%

24%

0

14%

I know that I am not eligible

46%

36%

17%

32%

24%

20%

29%

I am unsure whether I am eligible

15%

0

18%

11%

16%

12%

29%

I choose not to claim it

9%

9%

11%

16%

6%

20%

7%

I find the process too complicated

0

0

11%

8%

0

10%

7%

I haven’t the time to claim it

0

0

0

4%

6%

0

0

I cannot get the information or advice I need to complete my claim

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

My circumstances change too often to enable me to claim easily

9%

5%

6%

0

0

0

0

I do not pay for the childcare that I use

9%

23%

28%

12%

35%

30%

7%

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8.40 Those parents who were users of childcare were invited to state whether they were, in late 2016, in receipt of any other types of financial support towards paying for childcare. Only two parents stated that they were. One of these parents was evidently resident in the SA2/South Central Swansea postcode area and one of these parents was evidently resident in the SA7/North East Swansea postcode area. Both of these parents stated that they were accessing a grant from a Further Education/Higher Education/training agent, which helped to contribute towards meeting their childcare costs.

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8.41 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were requested to confirm whether their child(ren) were currently – in late 2016 – attending a Welsh medium childcare setting.

15% of such parents reported that they did have at least one child who was attending a Welsh medium childcare setting.

Subsequently all parents and carers who were consulted for the 2017 CSA were

invited to answer the following question: Do you wish for your child/children to be bilingual in English and Welsh?

48% of parents stated that they did wish for their child/children to be bilingual in English and Welsh. 52% of parents stated that they did not have a wish for their child/children to be bilingual in English and Welsh.

Additionally, all parents and carers were requested to confirm whether they had ever experienced any barriers which affected their ability to benefit from Welsh medium childcare provision. 14% of parents confirmed that this had been the case, at some point in the past, and Table 116 outlines the incidence of specific barriers.

Table 116: Incidence of evident barriers to accessing a Welsh medium childcare

provision

Barrier type % of all parents who stated

Not available ‘locally’ 5% Not available for the hours required <1% Age range not appropriate <1% No spaces 1% Too expensive 2% Other 6%

Table 116 indicates that the most frequent barrier that had evidently been

experienced to accessing a Welsh medium childcare provision was: (in my experience) none is available [what parent considers to be] locally.

The majority of those parents who stated ‘Other’ clarified that answer as: “I don’t

know where to find out information about them”.

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8.42 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were requested to clarify the language medium of the provision that they were accessing in late 2016, during term-time – see Table 117.

Table 117: Incidence of term-time usage of childcare type aligned to language medium

Childcare Type % of applicable

parents stating: Welsh

% of applicable parents stating:

Welsh and English


English and some bi-lingual

elements


English

% of applicable parents stating: Other language

Childminder

0

0

50% [of all such users]

50%

0

Day Nursery

0

42%

35%

23%

0

Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup – morning

13%

25%

50%

13%

0

Cylch Meithrin/ Playgroup – afternoon

0

0

0

100%

0

Part time Early Education in a School

4%

29%

46%

21%

0

Flying Start Place

0

100%

0

0

0

Crèche

0

0

0

0

0

After School Club

12%

10%

34%

44%

0

Fee Paying Breakfast Club

9%

42%

0

49%

0

Free Breakfast Club

24%

6%

12%

59%

0


0

0

0

0

0

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8.43 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all of my children were requested to clarify the language medium of the provision that they were accessing in late 2016, during holiday-time – see Table 118.

Table 118: Incidence of holiday-time usage of childcare type aligned to language medium

Childcare Type % of applicable

parents stating: Welsh


Welsh and English


English and some bi-lingual

elements


English

% of applicable parents stating: Other language

Childminder

0

0

20%

80%

0

Day Nursery

0

23%

31%

46%

0

Flying Start Place

0

0

100%

0

0

Crèche

0

0

0

0

0

Holiday Playscheme

0

0

40%

60%

0

8.44 Parents/respondents who had stated: I am currently using childcare for some/all

of my children were requested to confirm whether the provision that they accessed during term-time was located inside the City and Council of Swansea local authority area.

98% of applicable respondents stated that the childcare which they accessed was indeed located inside the Swansea local authority area

2% of applicable respondents stated that the childcare which they accessed was located outside the Swansea local authority area

(None of the respondents stated that the (multiple types of) childcare which they accessed were located both inside and outside the Swansea local authority area)

This feedback indicated that there is negligible incidence of parents who are resident in the Swansea locality and crossing over its border in order to access childcare.

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For those (two) parents who were evidently accessing at least one type of childcare outside of the Swansea local authority area, the following was observed:

One parent was accessing childcare provision in the Carmarthenshire local authority area. This parent was resident in the north west of the Swansea locality.

One parent was accessing at least one type of childcare provision in the Neath Port Talbot local authority area

Data shared with the City and Council of Swansea by Carmarthenshire County Council in February 2016 indicated that:

During term-time evidently <1% of their parents resident in Carmarthenshire travelled into Swansea in order to access childcare

During term-time evidently 1.5% of their parents resident in Carmarthenshire travelled into Swansea in order to access childcare – most frequently a holiday playscheme

8.45 All responding parents were invited to state where they would (instinctively) go if

they wished to find out more information about childcare options and provision. Table 119 presents their collective feedback.

Table 119: (Instinctive) sources of information about childcare

Reason % of applicable parents

Swansea Family Information Service 14% ‘The Council’ 12% Local Health Visitor 8%A local school 12% A local library 5% Family and/or Friends 40% I would use the internet 51% Other 8%

Table 119 indicates that the information source which would be accessed with the highest frequency was: the internet, followed in frequency by: family and/or friends. Other sources of information which were repeated included: “Social Services”, “GP surgeries” and a “Children’s Centre”.

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9. Consultation with Children and Young People In 2014, the City and County of Swansea made a formal commitment to uphold the rights of every child in Swansea, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child or UNCRC (1989). This is achieved through the implementation of its Children and Young People’s Rights Scheme. Under the UNCRC, children and young people are recognized as full human beings who must be acknowledged as citizens with a voice – and as competent in using that voice as experts in their own lives. Therefore, it was regarded as fundamental in Swansea – as an important part of the 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment – that children and young people who use childcare were offered an opportunity to say what they thought about the provision they received – particularly in relation to its quality and any aspects that they thought could be changed. 9.1 In January 2017, the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment research team

undertook consultation with a total of 67 children aged 2 – 11 years. Five consultation sessions took place at specific daycare settings including:

Two Flying Start providers Two private day nurseries An after school club

Seventeen, 2 year olds were consulted at the two Swansea-based

Flying Start venues Twenty-two, 3 and 4 year olds were consulted at the two Swansea-

based private day nurseries Fifteen, 5 – 7 year olds were consulted at a Swansea-based private

day nursery and at a specific after school club Thirteen, 8 – 11 year olds were consulted at the Swansea-based after

school club An even gender split was adhered to at all five of the sessions. 9.2 In terms of a methodology, interactive workshop-type sessions were facilitated

with each of the four age groups above. The sessions were undertaken by (CSA research) team members from the Swansea’s Family Information Service and Swansea’s Children’s Rights Team. Each inter-active session was approximately one hour in duration.

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9.3 In terms of the engagement of children aged 2 years…

17 children in this age group were consulted at two Swansea-based Flying Start venues. It was apparent that when working with this youngest of our cohort, observation – including of play – proved as valuable as appropriately framed questions. Indeed, watching such children play and interact with each other – and with practitioners – offered the research team insight into what a day-to-day experience looked like for very young children accessing childcare. The children were invited to say or show: What are your favourite things to do when you are here? Through their responses it was evident that children considered outdoor play a (most) favourite occupation – for example, (outdoor) activities they highlighted included:

“Playing in the sand, outside” “Playing with water, outside” “Playing on the slide”

A number of children preferred indoor play and the activities they highlighted included:

“Story corner” “Using play dough” “Playing with building blocks and lego”

Children were invited to articulate what their least favourite activities were when they were at the Flying Start setting. However, this evidently was a more challenging concept for some to understand and the feedback demonstrated that the children seemed to generally enjoy all aspects of the childcare provision.

Children were asked to depict through drawing how they ‘travelled’ to and from the Flying Start venue. The majority arrived and were collected on foot, with 3 children demonstrating (through the use of toy cars) that a vehicle was used. It can be noted that approximately one-third of children outlined that a grandparent dropped them off and/or picked them up from the venue.

If quality childcare provision is based on understanding the needs of children in the setting, which arguably a core element of childcare provision is, then observation can be a crucial factor. The research team (constituting experienced practitioners themselves) made a number of observations that contribute toward an evaluation of what children appeared to enjoy – i.e.:

During ‘free play’ time children interacted and chose to play in a way that was led by them, i.e. they could choose the activities or equipment they most wanted to play with and with whom they would like to play.

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Additionally, during this time, children were observed to have an opportunity to extend play beyond the physical provision and use their imaginations. This was encouraged by the practitioners and was evidently enjoyed by the children

During one session, a structured (combined) 1. music, 2. language and 3. physical activity was taking place. It was clear that the (2 year old) children recognised the activity and knew what to do at the first sound of music. They were observed to be excited at the initial introductory sound of the music and chose to engage

Through the team’s observation it can reasonably be concluded that quality appeared to manifest itself as: practitioners having an understanding of children’s individualities, likes and dislikes, triggers for being upset, listening to what children have to say and being able to adapt and tailor their provision

9.4 In terms of the engagement of children aged 3 and 4 years…

22 children in this age group were consulted at two Swansea-based day nurseries. The 3 and 4 year olds provided feedback through talking to the research team. The children were invited to raise their hands to denote: What are your favourite things to do when you are here? This method demonstrated how a most frequent activity was making use of play equipment – such as climbing frames and apparatus. It demonstrated too that a least favoured activity was “quiet time”. Additional favoured activities amongst this age group were evidently:

“Playing with lego” “Playing in the home corner” “Meal times” “Messy time” “Being allowed to be noisy”

There was an evident ‘split’ amongst 3 and 4 year olds about story-time sessions. Some of the children liked such sessions and others were not so keen. A number of those who were ‘no so keen’ emphasised a preference for outdoor play.

As with children aged 2 years, children aged 3 and 4 years were invited to say how they ‘travelled’ to and from the day nursery. A slightly higher proportion of children aged 3 and 4 years evidently made both journeys in a vehicle in comparison with (what was fed back by) 2 year olds. A mother or father in all cases accompanied them on their journey (as opposed to grandparents which was repeatedly stated by 2 year olds).

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The research team invited the children to say what they thought about the meals and snacks they received at the nursery – which were healthy provisions of fruit, vegetables, wholemeal toast, pasta, milk and other dairy products. A response which summarised feedback from more than one 3 and 4 year old was:

“We would like to have more ice cream and cookies… as a treat”. It was evident that fruit was particularly favoured – including types such as

“apple [slices]”, “orange [segments]”, “pears” and “bananas”. 9.5 In terms of the engagement of children aged 5 – 7 years…

15 children in this age group were consulted at a Swansea-based private day nursery (which was a full daycare provider and which also served as an after school club) and a specific after school club. The 5, 6 and 7 year olds provided feedback through talking to the research team. The children were invited to respond verbally to the question: What are your favourite things to do when you are here [at the after school club]? The most frequent favoured activity was “playing in the cwtch” – with the cwtch being a quiet story area, separate from the main activity area, aimed at older members of one of the after school clubs. Two activities were favoured with the second ‘highest’ frequency, namely:

“Art and craft” “Playing in a ball pit”

A number of children agreed that they would ideally like opportunities to use lap-tops and/or iPads at their after school club. As with children aged 2, 3 and 4 years, children aged 5 – 7 years were invited to say how they ‘travelled’ to and from the after school club. In this case, an even split was observed in terms of, vehicle : walk – though four children evidently attended school at the same site where the after school club was (also) located.

In terms of frequency with which children attended their after school club, the following was evident:

1 child attended 1 day a week 9 children attended 2 days a week 4 children attended 3 days a week 1 child attended 4 days a week (0 children attended 5 days a week)

The research team invited the children to say what they thought about the meals and snacks they received at the after school club – which were healthy

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provisions of fruit, vegetables, milk and other dairy produce. A response which summarised feedback from more than one 5, 6 and 7 year old was: “It would be good to be able to have a McDonalds every now and again… as a treat”.

Another suggestion which attained agreement from other children was “it would

be good to make our own snacks now and again…”.It was also apparent that the children repeatedly liked to be able to serve themselves as (in the words of one child) it “made them feel grown up”.

9.6 In terms of the engagement of children aged 8 – 11 years…

13 children in this age group were consulted at a Swansea-based after school club. The 8 – 11 year olds provided feedback through talking to the research team.

The children were invited to respond verbally to the question: What are your favourite things to do when you are here [at the after school club]? The most frequent favoured activity was “playing outdoors” including on cycles and scooters.

Two activities were favoured with the second ‘highest’ frequency, namely:

“Art and craft” “Playing with sensory equipment”

Other favoured activities were evidently:

“Fancy dress” “Using a chalk board” “Story ‘area’”

Children were invited to say how they ‘travelled’ to and from the after school club. The majority of the children journeyed on foot as they tended to attend a school where the after-school club was (also) based or they attended a school “next door”. Five did the journey – particularly the homebound journey in a vehicle. In terms of frequency with which children attended the[ir] after school club, the following was evident:

3 children attended 2 days a week 6 children attended 3 days a week 3 children attended 4 days a week 1 child attended 5 days a week

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Finally, as standard, the research team invited the children to say what they thought about the meals and snacks they received at the after school cub – which were (again, as standard) healthy provisions of fruit, vegetables, milk and other dairy products.

A response which attained agreement from more than one 8 – 11 year old was:

“We really like the way you can serve yourself”.

(Only) two children stated that they did not like the (healthy) food which was served.

It can finally be noted that for this age group an awareness of a key reason why they were attending the after school club was evident – summarised by one child as “so that my mum and dad can be at work”.

9.7 The children consulted for the 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment enabled a number of key conclusions to be reached including:

Children aged 2 – 4 years believe that (free) play is a very important part of their childcare experience – especially, when possible, outdoor play

Grandparents play a vital informal role in helping to provide childcare for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

Children aged 5 years and over also frequently enjoy more physical types of (free) play, including being outdoors – when at a childcare setting

Children aged 5 years and over evidently had clear thoughts and views on the type(s) of food they received when at childcare

There was a more frequent incidence of part-time attendance of a provision, rather than full-time attendance

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10. Consultation with Swansea-based Employers Feedback was invited from Swansea-based employers, via a (postal) paper-copy questionnaire and (an identically formatted) online survey. 75 employers were sent both types of survey – by e-mail and by post, essentially in order to determine their views on local childcare provision and how this affects their employees and their (work-life balance) policies. 10.1 12 employers responded to the consultation. They represented a variety of

sectors and sizes. Table 120: Background of responding employers

Main business activity Number of employees

based in Swansea? (Full-time equivalent)

1. Distributor 5 2. Translation 35 3. Recycling 53 4. Financial Trading 70 5. Motor Trade 80 6. Manufacturing 113 7. Manufacturing 198 8. Motor Retail 398 9. Contact Centre 400 10. Transportation 797 11. Financial 1,799 12. Local Government 9,078

10.2 The 12 responding employers clarified their ratio(s) of female staff members :

male staff members. The average such ratio was: female 30% : male 70%. The most pronounced female : male ratio was: female 64% : male 36% (stated by the employee that was a contact centre).

The most pronounced male : female ratio was: male 93% : female 7% (stated by the employee from the transportation sector).

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10.3 The employers were requested to state (to the best of their knowledge), the percentage of their workforce who had children aged 15 years, or under – and therefore would potentially be using/needing formal childcare?

Table 121: Incidence of employees having children aged 14 years, or under

Sector of Employer Approximate % of workforce that

has children aged 15…

Resulting (approximate) number of full-

time employees

Distributor 80% 4 Translation 26% 9 Recycling Don’t Know n/a Financial Trading 11% 8 Motor Trade 40% 32 Manufacturing 30% 34 Manufacturing 3% 6 Motor Retail Don’t Know n/a Contact Centre 53% 212 Transportation Don’t Know n/a Financial 19.5% 341 Local Government Don’t Know n/a

A trend was evident: the larger the company, in terms of employee size… the less likely that a respondent was able to provide (even) an approximation. It was also discernible that when an employer had a relatively higher proportion of female employees, they were then more likely to provide an approximation (as opposed to stating ‘don’t know’).

10.4 The responding employers fed back the extent to which their employees worked outside of traditional 8.00am – 6.00pm (core) hours.

83% of the responding employers stated that a number of their

employees had to undertake shift work 67% of the responding employers stated that a number of their

employees had to work evenings after 6pm 67% of the responding employers stated that a number of their

employees had to work before 8am 58% of the responding employers stated that a number of their

employees had to work during weekends 33% of the responding employers stated that a number of their

employees had to work overnight

The percentages above demonstrate a notable incidence of a requirement for full-time and part-time employees (some of whom it can be assumed would be working parents) to work outside of 8.00am – 6.00pm core hours. For example, the majority of employers stated that a number of their employees worked shift

183

patterns. The percentages ultimately highlight a need for a degree of flexibility to ideally be inherent within Swansea’s childcare sector.

10.5 On the subject of flexibility, the feedback from the responding employers

highlighted that:

83% of the employers did offer flexible working arrangements 17% of the employers did not offer flexible working arrangements

Of those employers that did offer flexible working arrangements, examples included:

“We offer ‘flexi’ start and finish times for non-production staff… and try to be flexible with patterns for those in our manufacturing arm”.

“On request, we try to work with flexible arrangements… however due to the nature of the business, it is not always possible”.

“We provide flexible working patterns such as early starts and longer working days for extra days off”.

“Our policy includes, part-time hours, term-time working, and the right to make a flexible working request”.

“Our employees are given the ability to work from home and change/swap shift patterns”.

10.6 Employers were requested to state whether their organisation offered any

childcare-related benefits – including financial support – to their workforce. 42% of the employees did offer childcare related benefits/financial support. 58% did not.

All of the employees who stated that they did offer childcare benefits, confirmed that this was in the form of childcare vouchers. However, from those employers, an approximation of childcare related benefit(s) take up was requested – and the feedback demonstrated a poor take-up, with estimates ranging from 0% of employees to 5% of employees.

A repeated explanation for the low-take up of the financial themed childcare benefits was “there is a lack of awareness about them”. Additionally, three respondents stated (words to the effect) “the cost savings are not enough to warrant the drop in salary for credit applications”.

Additional, repeated considered reasons for a lack of take-up of financial themed employee childcare benefits were:

A lack of suitable childcare providers to access Burdensome application processes

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10.7 42% of responding employers offered their employees both (a) the opportunity for flexible work arrangements and (b) childcare related benefits. These employers tended to be large(r) companies, in terms of employee numbers.

10.8 Employees were invited to outline whether they had ever had recruitment and/or

retention issues related to their employee's childcare situation(s). 33% stated that they had and that recruitment and/or retention had been

affected by factors including:

(Most frequently) “The cost of childcare”. “Childcare not being available outside of core hours”. “Provision not meeting the needs of all communities”.

10.9 Employees were requested to state whether they believed current formal

childcare provision in the City and County of Swansea was – from their perspective/in their opinion – appropriate to meet their employees’ needs.

67% of employers stated that they did not know 25% believed that the current provision was appropriate to meet their

employees’ needs (Only) 8% stated that they did not believe current childcare provision was

appropriate 10.10 When employees were invited to comment on the current and future provision of

formal childcare in Swansea their responses tended to align to the issue of the cost of childcare – for example:

“My general understanding is the cost of childcare is very high and can cause issues for those [employees] on low incomes”.

“Childcare can be very expensive and perhaps more ‘nurseries’ need to be located closer to our larger employers”. “Childcare costs are far too expensive”.

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10.11 Table 122 below presents employers responses to a number of general statements about Swansea’s childcare market/sector.

Statement Number of respondents

Strongly Disagree

Disagree Neither Agree or Disagree

Agree Strongly Agree

There is evidently enough childcare available for your employees

0 2 7 3 0

Childcare provision is flexible enough to support the needs of your employees

0 4 5 3 0

Childcare provision should be more affordable

0 0 3 4 5

There are some geographical areas of Swansea where there is not enough childcare

0 0 8 2 1

Childcare provision could better meet the needs of children with special needs and disabilities

0 0 9 3 0

The quality of local childcare could be better

0 2 7 3 0

There could be more Welsh-language / bilingual provision

1 0 7 4 0

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Table 122 indicates that the statement to which the employers most frequently stated: agreed or strongly agreed with was childcare should be more affordable.

The statement to which employers most frequently stated: disagree or strongly disagree was childcare provision is flexible enough to support the needs of your employees.

10.12 Only one employer outlined any future plans to initiate themselves a type of

(additional) childcare support, in the future, for their employees. This was “promotion of local ‘summer clubs’… and to make the childcare provision more affordable by negotiating discounts with local childcare providers”.

Reasons given for not initiating plans most frequently focused around (a lack of) demand, for example:

“We would respond to employee demand… but there is no requirement at present. The shifts appear to work for the majority of our [predominantly male] employees”.

“We have had no requests from employees for additional support towards childcare”.

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11. Summary of Key Gaps to inform the Action Plan 11.1 Geographical and Type gaps

Geographical gaps focus on locations that (might) experience particular gaps in provision – potentially in relation to parental preference.

Type gaps indicate where there is, or where there may be in the future, a shortage in the type of childcare for which parents and carers may be expressing a preference.

Given the potential overlap between these two gap categories, they have been addressed jointly in this section.

11.1.1 Those responsible for childcare sufficiency planning within the City and County

of Swansea need to retain an awareness that two bordering wards in the east of the locality will account for a relatively high incidence of new housing developments during the forthcoming period – i.e. (a) Bonymaen ward and (b) Llansamlet ward – a ward which already has a relatively high population of children and young people.

11.1.2 The 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is highlighting that a

possible North – South partition exists with regard to the issue of how affordable parents find paying for formal childcare – with, essentially, parents resident in the North of the locality experiencing more difficulty in affording formal childcare provision.

11.1.3 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey suggested that 1 : 5 of the Swansea locality’s

registered childminders (approximately 20 childminders) did not expect to still be operating by autumn 2019. Two wards where this response was notably repeated were (a) Llansamlet and (b) Morriston – both wards where the populations are relatively high, and in the case of the former, where a relatively high incidence of new housing development is set to take place during the forthcoming period – which in turn might affect (i.e. increase) demand for formal childcare, including places with childminders.

11.1.4 The 2017 Swansea Childcare Sufficiency Assessment has reiterated that no

childcare provision is physically situated in[side] the Mawr ward, in the north of the locality. However: (a) it is logistically feasible that families resident in this (relatively rural) ward could commute/travel to neighbouring wards – some of which do have a relatively high number of childcare places, such as Morriston ward; (b) there was no sustained evidence that parents who were resident in the ward believed that this factor was a significant barrier to them accessing formal childcare; (c) both Craigcefnparc Primary School and Felindre Welsh Primary School are situated within the ward and both offer funded early years part-time education places.

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11.1.5 2015 ONS ward population estimates indicate that the Townhill ward has a relatively high number of resident 3 and 4 year olds, i.e. 341. However, in response to the question:

In theory if the free entitlement was to extend by 20 hours would you consider offering, all or some of those hours, at your setting?

Neither of the setting-based childcare providers within the ward answered ‘yes –

all’ or ‘yes – some’. Similarly, the Penderry ward also has a relatively high number of resident 3 and

4 year olds, i.e. 432. However, in response to the same question, only one of the four setting-based childcare providers within the ward answered ‘yes [– some’].

It can also be noted that 1 : 5 of full daycare providers stated that they ideally

needed to receive more information about the dynamics of the enhanced free entitlement and how it would be rolled out.

11.1.6 42% of full daycare and sessional daycare providers stated a key issue for

them, with regard to them being involved in the supply of (from a childcare perspective) the enhanced free entitlement hours, would be eventual clarity on the funding that was available to them to help deliver such places. This concern was recurrently highlighted by such childcare providers in the Llansamlet ward and the nearby Mynyddbach ward.

11.1.7 Those responsible for childcare sufficiency planning within the City and County

of Swansea should retain an awareness that – through the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey – there was a relatively high incidence of full daycare providers and sessional daycare providers located within the Townhill ward, believing that demand for their places would “increase” during the period autumn 2016 – autumn 2018. This finding should be considered aligned to the fact that the ward accounts for a relatively high number of resident 0 – 4 year olds. Additionally, with regard to the Townhill ward, 80% of all childcare providers operating within its boundary did not believe that – in their opinion and experience – there was sufficient out of school places for (the relatively high number of) the 5 – 15 year olds resident in the ward, in autumn 2016.

11.1.8 As stated in 11.1.5 (above) the Penderry ward has a relatively high number of

resident 0 – 4 year olds. Aligned to this fact, those responsible for childcare sufficiency planning within the City and County of Swansea should retain an awareness that (a) over half of the (nine) childcare providers for that age group situated in the ward stated (as part of the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey) that, in their opinion, there was not currently sufficient childcare places for this age group.

11.1.9 In terms of the Swansea-based locality as a whole, the autumn 2016, Cwlwm

workforce survey demonstrated that 16% of the childcare workforce did not hold a childcare or playwork themed qualification.

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11.2 Income gaps

This section focuses on areas where there is, or may be in forthcoming years, issues/potential gaps related to affordability.

11.2.1 Parents who were resident in the north of the locality and who were accessing

at least one type of formal childcare tended to state ‘agree’ with the statement: (registered) childcare is too expensive with a higher frequency than parents who were resident in the south of the locality and who were also accessing at least one type of formal childcare.

11.2.2 Parents who were resident in the north of the locality and who were not

accessing at least one type of formal childcare (i.e. non-users) also tended to state ‘agree’ with the statement: (registered) childcare is too expensive with a higher frequency than parents who were resident in the south of the locality and who were not accessing at least one type of formal childcare. For example, in answer to the question: Which of these reasons best describe why you do not use childcare for some or all of your children at this time?

25% more parents resident in the SA5 (North Central Swansea locality) and

SA6 (North Swansea locality) postcode areas stated: childcare is too expensive, in comparison to the SA2 (South Central locality) and SA3 (South West Swansea locality) postcode areas.

11.2.3 There was a relatively low incidence of parents reporting that they were

accessing financial support through the childcare element of working tax credit and/or through the claiming of tax free childcare, or assistance through the Employer supported scheme. This was (most) frequently due to ineligibility – however, approximately 10% of ‘users’ of formal childcare stated that they were unsure as to whether they were eligible for such form(s) of financial support

11.3 Specific Needs gaps

A specific needs gap analysis is carried out to determine whether there is a shortage of suitable places for children with additional needs and disabilities or children with other specific needs or requirements – including those from particular faiths or community groups.

11.3.1 One-third of all childcare providers did not feel that there were sufficient

childcare places in their immediate geographical area for children with special needs and children with complex medical needs – a statement that tended to particularly recur from childcare providers situated in the SA1 (South East Swansea locality) and SA2 (South Central Swansea locality) postcode areas.

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11.3.2 48% of all parents responded via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey that they held an ambition for child(ren) to be bi-lingual in English and Welsh. Although there was some incidence of parents stating that they were not accessing formal childcare due to an absence of Welsh-medium provision or them being unable to locate such provision, such a problem was not evidently widespread. It is an issue which childcare sufficiency planners may wish to monitor – especially with regard to the advent of the enhanced free entitlement in Swansea.

11.3.3 20% (1 : 5) of the childcare providers who responded to the 2017 CSA

Childcare Providers Survey stated that an issue they would welcome more advice and support with is supporting children with special needs and disabilities. Indeed, almost 40% of full daycare providers made this statement/request.

11.4 Time gaps

This narrative focuses on whether there is, or whether there may be in forthcoming years, a shortage of childcare at a time when parents would wish to use it.

11.4.1 30% of all respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey stated that

a specific trend that they have observed since 2014 was an increased demand for part-time childcare/hours.

11.4.2 The 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey indicated that waiting lists within

Swansea’s 0 – 4 years childcare sector tend to be at their highest for the Spring Term (entry).

11.5 Age gaps

This section examines whether there is a shortage of childcare suitable to meet the needs and requirements of a certain age group.

11.5.1 The 2017 CSA Parents Survey demonstrated that of those parents/carers who

were accessing at least one type of formal childcare – 45% were accessing a type of out of school childcare, including a holiday-time provision. Therefore, those responsible for childcare sufficiency planning within the City and County of Swansea should retain an awareness that the Welsh Government forecast an increase in the population of children aged 8 – 15 years over the period 2017 – 2020.

11.5.2 In order to maintain traction with the estimated 1.65% increase in the number of

8 – 15 year olds who will be resident in the Swansea locality by 2020, a corresponding increase of (approximately 40) out of school childcare places would ideally be required, in order just to match the existing status quo.

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11.5.3 Those responsible for childcare sufficiency planning within the City and County of Swansea should retain an awareness that the population of resident 2 year olds is forecast (by Welsh Government) to increase (although not at a such a comparable rate as will be observed for older children). Mynyddbach is an example of a ward which already has a relatively high number of resident two year olds.

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12. Action Plan *The Action Plan has been developed aligned to feedback from a sample of parents/carers in late 2016. We understand that their may be other parental voices in Swansea whose views we also need to account for and whose feedback may be captured via future CSA updates. Essentially the Plan will be responsive to feedback and statistics as they are received.

12.1 Table 123: Assessment of Demand – Action Planning

Strengths (see Areas of focus below – page 195)

Actions Priorities Milestones

12.1.1 There is no evident incidence – demonstrated via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey – of parents of 3 and 4 year olds being unable to access a free part-time education place in a Swansea-based primary school/ward, due to a lack of availability of places.

City and County of Swansea will continue to monitor the population of 3 and 4 year olds – year-on-year – and monitor population growth forecasts.

Medium: Continued monitoring of 3 and 4 year of population numbers and (any) affects of: (a) new builds/dwellings in specific wards (b) implementation of the extended free entitlement.

Maintenance of Free Entitlement is considered ongoing

12.1.2 There is no evident incidence – demonstrated via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey – of parents of 2 olds, who are resident in relevant target geographical areas of the Swansea locality, being unable to access a Flying Start place due to a lack of availability of places.

City and County of Swansea should retain an awareness that the population of resident 2 year olds is projected to increase over the life time of this CSA (although not at such a comparable rate as will be observed for older children).

High: Maintenance of Flying Start provision in the Swansea area is critical as its funded nature allows positive attendance for children aged from 2½ years in the geographical areas in which it is available.

Maintenance of Flying Start is considered ongoing

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Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.1.3 The majority of providers highlighted – in response to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey – that they are able to provide childcare suitable to the needs of children with (a range of) additional needs/disabilities. However, it was observed that one-third of all childcare providers did not feel that there were sufficient childcare places in their immediate geographical area for children with special needs and children with complex medical needs – a statement that tended to particularly recur from childcare providers situated in the south-west of the Swansea locality.

City and County of Swansea should in general retain an awareness about the possible requirement to (help to) target future provision and support within the south-west Swansea locality.

High: Maintenance of the Disability Development Officer post. Medium: Exploration of improved connections between the private, voluntary and community sectors – especially with those organisations that represent children with additional needs/disabilities and their carers.

Commissioning of Disability Development Officer post from 1 April 2017 – with annual targets set and quarterly monitoring undertaken Improved connections explored from 1 August 2017 onwards

12.1.4 Critically, it was evident via the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey that the childcare sector in Swansea did not envisage a significant increase in demand for childcare places within the next year. There was, however, a notably (higher than average) incidence of full daycare providers and sessional daycare providers located within the Townhill ward stating their belief that demand for their places would increase during the period autumn 2016 – autumn 2018. That finding has been considered aligned to the fact that the ward accounts for a relatively high number of resident 0 – 4 year olds.

Continuation of existing Flying Start sessional care places as per Welsh Government guidance in terms of eligible areas. Maintenance and support of sustainability of existing childcare places. Monitoring of demand for provision in the Townhill ward, including aligned to its central location within the Swansea geographical area.

High: Continuation of the Flying Start programme. High: Continuation of commissioning development work with key childcare organisations, in order to achieve sufficiency and gradual increase of childcare places.

Commissioning to be undertaken from 1 April 2017 – with annual targets set and quarterly monitoring undertaken in - April 2017 - July 2017 - October 2017 - January 2018

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Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.1.5 Although there was some incidence of parents stating – via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey – that they were not accessing formal childcare due to either an absence of Welsh-medium provision or them being unable to locate such provision, such a problem was not evidently widespread. However, it was observed – as an outcome of the same survey – that approximately 50% of (all) parents had an ambition for their children to be bilingual in Welsh and English.

Commission development work via Mudiad Meithrin. Ensure the availability of Welsh medium training courses for providers.

Medium: Continued monitoring of demand for Welsh-medium provision especially with regard to the advent of the enhanced free entitlement. Medium: Potential increase to the current baseline figure (n=3) of registered Cylchoedd Meithrin. Medium: Continuation of the Family Information Service (FIS) Training programme.

Commissioning of Mudiad Meithrin development hours from 1 April 2017 Availability of training from 1 April 2017

12.1.6 Consultation with children aged 5 years and over, as part of the 2017 CSA, indicated that they tend to particularly enjoy physical types of (free) play when at a childcare provision – including play when being outdoors.

Maintain links with Swansea’s Play Sector including to enable the childcare sector to prioritise (where possible) outdoor play, that can be replicated inside their setting.

Medium: Work undertaken to reiterate to Swansea’s childcare practitioners and professionals the benefits of outdoor play.

Partnership work to commence in July 2017

12.1.7 The 2017 CSA Parents Survey indicated that future intentions in terms of accessing formal childcare tended to be focused on the full daycare sector and out of school childcare provision – which was positive in terms of the sustainability of both sectors. It was evident however – via that survey – that parents were less likely to envisage themselves accessing a registered childminder.

Continued multi-faceted promotion of the availability, for Swansea-based families, of all formal childcare types.

High: To ensure that sufficient holistic support continues to be available – including via the City and County of Swansea – to allow the maintenance and sustainability of all registered childcare provision – including through grants, direct support and interventions, training, guidance and information.

Ongoing support across 2017 CSA life span Particular focus to commence in May 2017

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Strengths

Actions Priorities Milestones 12.1.8 A positive finding, in terms of the ongoing sustainability of Swansea’s formal childcare sector, was that the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey indicated a trend of (their) parents more frequently (since the 2014 CSA) seeking longer opening hours/times of availability.

Monitoring – via forthcoming CSA updates – with the formal childcare sector to ascertain if this trend continues.

Medium: Ensure that this finding is communicated to all formal childcare providers located across the local authority area.

Dialogue with key childcare organisations/ partners and the sector via meetings, networking opportunities and visits – to commence 1 May 2017

Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.1.9 Two bordering wards in the east of the Swansea locality will account for a relatively high incidence of new housing developments during the forthcoming period – i.e. (a) Bonymaen ward and (b) Llansamlet ward – a ward which already has a relatively high population of children and young people

To be mindful of these future housing developments and their potential yield of up to 684 new childcare places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds in the Eastern Swansea locality.

Medium: Continued monitoring of population numbers and effects of new builds/dwellings in the Bonymaen and Llansamlet wards Consult with developers on phasing of (new) dwellings in: - 2017 - 2018 - 2019 - 2020 Commission Wales Pre-school Providers Association (WPPA) to undertake a specific feasibility study focusing upon the wards of Bonymaen, Llansamlet & St Thomas.

Focused monitoring to commence from 1 April 2017

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Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones

12.1.10 The affordability of childcare remains an integral issue for a significant number of parents, resident in Swansea, who would ideally like to take-up formal childcare. Two wards where this issue was stated with a relatively high frequency were:

- Penderry - Townhill It can be noted that these wards have relatively high levels of income deprivation. The issue of affordability was also demonstrably highlighted with a greater incidence in the North of the Swansea locality, in comparison with the South.

Most effectively promote the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot) in Swansea. Continue to promote the availability of the (income related) childcare benefits such as the childcare element of the WTC, tax free childcare and assistance through Employer Supported Schemes.

High: Family Information Service to be mindful of having a (promoted) presence in the wards of Penderry and Townhill. High: Ensure robust delivery of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot) across various test options, feeding lessons learnt back to Welsh Government, to inform full programme roll out.

To commence from 1 June 2017

To commence from 1 September 2017

12.1.11 2015 ONS ward population estimates indicate that the Penderry ward and the Townhill ward both have a relatively high number of resident 3 and 4 year olds. However, in response to the [2017 CSA Providers Survey] question: In theory if the free entitlement was to extend by 20 hours would you consider offering, all or some of those hours, at your setting? both wards observed a relatively low frequency of 0 – 4 years childcare providers responding affirmatively.

Seek to (most) effectively promote the (business) advantages of being involved in the delivery of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot) to childcare providers operating in the two centrally located wards.

High: The Penderry, Townhill (and Mynyddbach) wards will feature in terms of priority for future development of opportunities for localised families to access childcare in general, which will also include the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot). However, we will remain aware that the creation of any additional childcare places must be balanced with the need for future sustainability.

To commence from 1 May 2017

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Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.1.12 The population of Swansea is likely to grow by 13.1% (31,200) people between 2011 and 2036.

Annual review of the CSA Action Plan (including aligned to updates) thus ensuring that the C&CS is responsive to growing populations (of specific cohorts) and associated childcare requirements.

Medium: Departmental re-structure to take place in order to most effectively address CSA & PSA actions and requirements.

To commence from 1 April 2017

12.1.13 Two wards which accounted for a repeated incidence of parents stating – via the 2017 Parents Survey – childcare, at some point in the past, has not been available when I needed it were: Fairwood and Townhill. It was also observed, via the 2017 CSA Providers Survey, that respondents located in the Townhill ward repeatedly believed that (in their opinion) there were insufficient out of school childcare places in their local area.

(Continued) monitoring of enquiry levels and demand for all types of formal childcare in those two wards.

Medium: Potential ability to increase out of school places could be targeted at the Townhill ward, in response to further investigations into likely take-up. Medium: Continued dialogue(s) with WPPA, Mudiad Meithrin, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs (CPCKC)/PACEY Cymru about the maximisation of existing childcare places and the potential increase of childcare places in the two localities.

To commence from 1 June 2017

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12.1.14 The population of older children, resident in Swansea in forthcoming years, is forecast to increase at a greater rate than the population of young(er) children. The 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported that the out of school sector was particularly expectant of an increase in demand over the period 2016 – 2018.

Maintenance/sustainability of the existing supply. Potential increase of session lengths where (geographically) appropriate. Potentially incentivise out of school childcare providers to extend opening hours – by means of sustainability grants.

High: Maintenance of current supply, via the provision of grants and other support. Medium: Commission further development work via Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs, to realise a gradual but progressive increase to the baseline number of CSSIW registered after school clubs and holiday playschemes. Medium: Promote the CSA findings to Swansea’s out of school care sector – highlighting the availability of the grants programme.

Grants Programme accessible from 1 April 2017 Applicable commissioning from 1 April 2017 – with annual targets set

12.1.15 Feedback from the 2017 CSA Parents Survey highlighted that children were more likely to attend a school based holiday club/playscheme.

Incentivise existing after school clubs to extend their provision to also include holiday playscheme/club provision.

High: Continuation of grants programme to address need. High: Continuation of Clybiau Plant Cymru Development Worker hours.

Grants Programme accessible from 1 April 2017

12.1.16 The 2017 CSA Parents Survey demonstrated an evident shift towards parents/carers being employed more on a full time basis. However, the 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported an increased incidence of parental requests for part-time childcare, particularly within the early years childcare sector.

Continued promotion of all types of childcare places and provision. Monitoring of the balance between part-time and full-time places being available.

Medium: Maintenance of dialogue with childcare providers in order to further monitor “trends”.


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12.1.17 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey demonstrated a tangible (although not significant) trend that parents are (increasingly) seeking more flexible hours and weekend childcare, particularly from childminders, in order to accommodate shift patterns.

Ensure that this information is communicated to all childcare providers operating in Swansea.

Medium: Continued dialogue with Pacey Cymru and the sector via focused meetings, networking opportunities and visits.

To commence from 1 April 2017, including via networking opportunities and quarterly meetings

12.1.18 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey demonstrated a tangible (although not significant) trend that parents are (increasingly) seeking extended opening hours in terms of out of school childcare, both before and after school.

Ensure that this information is communicated to all childcare providers operating in Swansea.

Medium: Continued dialogue with CPCKC and other important representatives of the sector via focused meetings, networking opportunities and visits.

To commence from 1 April 2017, including via networking opportunities and quarterly meetings

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Table 124: Assessment of Supply – Action Planning

Strengths (see Areas of focus below)

Actions Priorities Milestones

12.2.1 The City and County of Swansea was selected as a pilot area for the Welsh Government free childcare offer. The 2017 CSA Providers Survey demonstrated tangible interest from appropriate representatives of the localities childcare sector in delivering the offer to their local families.

The local authority has begun establishing robust systems in order to widely test the offer. Regular communication with and reporting to key stakeholders including parents, childcare providers, partner childcare organisations, Welsh Government and the five other pilot/early adopter local authorities.

High: Throughout 2017 – 2018 management, development, monitoring and evaluation of the offer.

Systems currently being addressed in preparation for live delivery from 1 September 2017

12.2.2 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey demonstrated that the early years childcare sector believed – from their collective perspective – that there was sufficiency of places for 0 – 2 year olds, 3 – 4 year olds and 5 – 14 year olds in the Swansea locality. However, it was observed that 1 : 5 of existing childminders believed that they may no longer be working in the profession by 2020. The potential decrease in the number of registered childminders operating in the neighbouring wards of Llansamlet and Morriston is a particular concern due to their relatively high population levels

Revisit the current delivery model in respect of holistic childminder support and development. Specific targeting of (localised) schools in order to identify the exact types of childcare provision on offer. Ensure that Welsh-immersion training courses take place at a time when registered childminders are most able to attend.

High: Maintain a focus on the number of registered childminders.

High: Family Information Service (FIS) to undertake a(n) annual data gatering exercise in terms of school based provision and childcare themed activities. High: Revisit the current delivery model in respect of holistic childminder support and ongoing development.

High: Continue to promote childminding as a career option amongst key Welsh medium organisations, e.g. Menter Iaith and Mudiad Meithrin.


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Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.2.3 The overall majority of representatives of schools located in the SA1, SA2, SA4, SA5, SA6 and SA7 areas believed (from their perspective) that there was a sufficient supply of childcare in their immediate geographical area. A number of representatives of schools that are situated in the SA3 (South West Swansea) area believed that – in their opinion – there was a tangible need for additional (general) childcare provision in that locality.

Focused investigation within the SA3 locality to be undertaken in subsequent CSA update.

High: CPCKC to undertake an additional survey in the SA3/South West Swansea area in terms of investigating the potential need to develop further, localised, childcare provision.

Survey to be factored in to annual targets set from 1 April 2017

12.2.4 Since the 2014 (full) CSA there has evidently been a net increase in the number of childcare places accessible in Swansea across full daycare, sessional daycare and childminder provision. It was noted that there has been a decline in the number of registered holiday care places available.

Commission further development work in terms of provision during the holiday periods, via Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs. Commission Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs to undertake a specific piece of research on this topic – the resulting outcome of which will identify parents preferences in terms of their children’s holiday arrangements. Commission further development work via Wales Preschool Providers & Mudiad Meithrin.

High: The realisation of a gradual – but progressive – increase to the baseline number of CSSIW registered after school clubs and holiday playschemes/clubs/facilities. Medium: The realisation of a gradual but progressive increase to the baseline number of CSSIW registered sessional care operational during school holiday periods.


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Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.2.5 Our analysis of Supply demonstrates a current, healthy availability of out of school childcare within the Swansea locality as a whole. Additionally, the 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported that the out of school childcare sector had the greatest appetite to increase/expand capacity. This is encouraging given the fact that population forecasts demonstrate that resident 5 – 15 years olds will increase at a higher rate than resident 0 – 4 year olds.

Increase the baseline/evident 8% percentage of out of school childcare providers offering a service during inset days. Increase/extend the number of out of school childcare providers that offer childcare during school half terms.

High: Incentivise the out of school sector to extend availability via the grants programme. High: Fund Clybiau Plant Cymru development hours to support growth and expansion in the out of school childcare sector.

Grants available from 1 April 2017

Commissioning of partner organisations from 1 April 2017

12.2.6 The 2017 CSA Parents Survey demonstrated that of those parents/carers who access at least one type of formal childcare – 45% were accessing a type of out of school childcare, including a holiday-time provision.

City and County of Swansea should retain an awareness that the Welsh Government forecast an increase in the population of children aged 5 – 15 years over the period 2017 – 2020.

High: General increase in out of school childcare provision by a minimum of 40 places in order to retain the current status quo of accessibility Medium: Maintain a particular focus on the Townhill ward.


12.2.7 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported that a high percentage of full daycare providers/staff and registered childminders offered a drop off and collection service at associated provision/local primary schools.

Continue to highlight to childcare providers where there are high numbers of requests for pick up/drop off services as denoted by Swansea Family Information Service enquiries.

High: Ensure that co-ordinated communication on the subject is maintained at a high level.

To commence from 1 April 2017 including via networking and Quarterly sector meetings

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Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.2.8 92% of responding (to a specific survey for the 2017 CSA) Swansea-based schools did operate at least one form of childcare from their site. The most frequent type of childcare provided at a school (site) was a Welsh government funded breakfast club.

Focus on gathering further information on school-based provision including types which are additional to before school/breakfast club provision.

High: Family Information Service to undertake a[n annual] data gathering exercise in terms of school-based provision and childcare-themed activities.

Data gathering exercise from 1 September 2017

12.2.9 The 2017 CSA Parents Survey reported that over 50% of respondents stated agree to the following: Quality of childcare during both term time and during school holidays is good There is a good choice of childcare in the City Childcare is well located There is childcare available for the age(s) of my child(ren) Childcare caters for my child/children’s needs I know where to find out information about childcare I know where to find information on financial assistance for childcare There is enough childcare available in the language of my choice

To further raise ‘satisfaction percentiles’ childcare planners will… …prioritise maintaining the existing sustainability of childcare provision. …extensively promote the forthcoming Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot). …(continue to) work with partners in order to maximise the availability of the assisted places scheme as appropriate.

High: Ensure the continued availability of grants, training, support and development for the Swansea-based childcare sector.

Grants and training available from 1 April 2017

204

Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.2.10 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported that 1 : 5 of the Swansea locality’s registered childminders (approximately 20 childminders) did not expect to still be operating by autumn 2019. Two wards where this response was notably repeated were: (a) Llansamlet and (b) Morriston – both wards where the populations are relatively high, and in the case of the former, where a relatively high incidence of new housing development is set to take place during the forthcoming period.

Revisit the current delivery model in respect of holistic childminder support and development. The forthcoming advent of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (including via the pilot programme) to incorporate places with childminders.

High: Maintain a focus on the number of registered childminders, with a specific emphasis on (maintaining) the level of childminding provision accessible in the wards of Llansamlet and Morriston.

High: Revisit the current delivery model in respect of holistic childminder support and ongoing development.


12.2.11 The 2017 CSA Providers Survey indicated that there was minimal provision of childminder places purely through the medium of Welsh.

Monitoring of tangible need among the Welsh-speaking communities of Swansea – including through the forthcoming CSA updates.

High: Continue to promote childminding as a career option amongst key Welsh medium organisations e.g. Menter Iaith and Mudiad Meithrin. Medium: Partnership work with organisations such as Mudiad Meithrin in order to systematically monitor need.


12.2.12 No formal childcare provision is physically located within the (relatively rural) Mawr ward in the northern vicinity of the Swansea local authority area. It was noted that there was no evident/tangible evidence from parents/carers who were resident in the ward – via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey – that this was, or had been, a barrier to them accessing formal childcare provision, at some point.

Monitoring by childcare planners of the extent to which parents/carers who are resident in the Mawr ward are able to travel to bordering wards if they wish to access formal childcare provision in the future.

Medium: Continue to monitor whether geography is acting as a barrier to parents/carers who are resident in the Mawr ward – including via FIS enquiries.


205

12.3 Table 125: Analysis of Supply and Demand of Overall Childcare Provision

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.1 Type of available childcare e.g. full day care, sessional care, after school care, childminder

The City and County of Swansea has an extensive and broad range of childcare provision that, to a significant extent, matches the geographical, economic and employment needs of the local authority area. The forthcoming advent of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (including via the early implementer pilot programme) will potentially identify usage trends and childcare type preferences based on parental choice.

The 2017 CSA Providers Survey indicated that 1 : 5 of full daycare sector wished to receive more information about the dynamics of the enhanced free entitlement and how it would be rolled out in Swansea.

Ensuring continued sustainability of existing formal (and informal, unregistered) childcare provision Maximisation of available childcare places, in terms of occupancy.

High: Maintenance of existing 2016-level childcare provision. High: Enhanced level of communication and information flow about the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot).


12.3.2 Type of available childcare e.g. full day care, sessional care, after school care, childminder

The supply of childcare in terms of numbers has increased since 2014 – i.e.: - Full daycare [places of] 6% - Sessional daycare 25% - Registered Childminders 8% - Out of school childcare 10.5%

1:5 of existing registered childminders envisage that they may not be operating by 2019 – 2020. Decrease in the number of registered holiday playscheme providers/places since 2014.

Revisiting of the childminder support programme. Dialogue with key sector stakeholders such as Pacey Cymru and Jobcentre Plus. Commissioning of further development work by CPCKC.

High: Maintenance of the current levels of childminder numbers, with an aim to increase the pool of provision. High: Realisation of a gradual but progressive increase in the number of holiday schemes.


Targets set during April 2017 and monitored quarterly

206

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.3 Childcare catering for children of a specific age, e.g. from birth, from 2 years or over 8 years

The childcare sector perceives that there is sufficiency of places for 0 – 2 year olds, 3 and 4 year olds and 5 – 14 year olds. This is further corroborated by parents recurrently stating “there is enough childcare for the ages of my children”.

…The potential effect on demand caused by forthcoming large scale housing developments. …The projected increase in the numbers of 5 – 15 year olds resident in Swansea.

Market leverage to help ensure the maintenance of existing supply Maximisation of (occupancy levels of) existing childcare places. Monitoring and evaluation of the effects of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot). Commissioning of intrinsic/responsive development work by CPCKC, MM, WPPA.

High: To ensure that the Swansea childcare sector maximises its capacity; is flexible to parental needs and continues to offer sufficient childcare places.

Development work commissioned from 1 April 2017 and monitored quarterly Monitoring of the Welsh Government free childcare (pilot) from 1 September 2017

207

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.4 Affordable childcare

Availability of financial support via (a) free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds (b) Flying Start daycare element (c) childcare element of the WTC (d) tax free childcare (e) Employer Supported Childcare.

42% of full daycare and sessional daycare providers stated – via the 2017 CSA Providers Survey – that a key issue for them, with regard to them being involved in the supply of the enhanced free entitlement hours (pilot), would be eventual clarity on the funding that was available to them to help deliver such places. This concern was recurrently highlighted by applicable childcare providers located in the Llansamlet ward and the nearby Mynyddbach ward.

Continued dialogue with Welsh Government re: the practicalities involved in the delivery of Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot) – and the financial realities for the early years childcare sector.

High: Organise and undertake sector information sessions about the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot).

Information sessions to be facilitated in March & April 2017 A view will be taken in August 2017 as to whether additional Information sessions are required

Parents who were resident in the North of the locality and who were accessing at least one type of formal childcare tended to state ‘agree’ with the statement: (registered) childcare is too expensive with a higher frequency than parents who were resident in the South of the locality and who were also accessing at least one type of formal childcare. For example in answer to the question: Which of these reasons best describe why you do not use childcare? 25% more parents resident in the SA5 and SA6 postcode areas stated: childcare is too expensive, in comparison to the SA2 and SA3 postcode areas.

Family Information Service to ensure a presence at relevant outreach events/opportunities.

High: Outreach sessions and information opportunities to be delivered – about the subject of financial assistance towards paying for childcare – within relevant geographical area(s).

Annual Family Information Service Outreach Plan addressed and updated during April 2017

208



There was a relatively low incidence of parents reporting that they were accessing financial support through the childcare element of working tax credit and/or through the claiming of tax free childcare or assistance through the Employer supported scheme. This was (most) frequently due to ineligibility – however, approximately 10% of users of formal childcare stated that they were unsure as to whether they were eligible for such forms of financial support.

Family Information Service to ensure a presence at relevant outreach events/opportunities. Family Information Service website enhanced in terms of improved [web]links to benefits/financial advice.

High: Enhanced links with the Local Authority Benefits Advice Team and insert Swansea Jobcentre Plus.


12.3.6 Affordable childcare


All of the employees who stated (during the 2017 CSA Employers Survey) that they did offer childcare benefits, confirmed that this was in the form of childcare vouchers. However, from those employers, an approximation of childcare related benefit(s) take up was requested – and the feedback showed a poor take-up, with estimates ranging from 0% of employees to 5% of employees. A repeated explanation for the low-take up of the financial themed childcare benefits was “there is a lack of awareness about them”.

Family Information Service both in person and via website information to continue to communicate to employers about the availability of childcare-related benefits.

High: Enhanced links with local employers e.g via Swansea Bay Business Club and Swansea Business Forum(s).

Annual Family Information Service Outreach Plan addressed and updated during April 2017.

209


The majority of childcare providers operating in Swansea offer a sibling discount.

n/a

Maintenance of a dialogue with Swansea-based childcare providers outlining the value and benefits of offering such discounts.

High: Discussions with partner organisations, to consider options in terms of conducting business health checks which would incorporate identifying if/where discounted childcare could be further realised.

May 2017

12.3.8 Times at which childcare is available, including the need for flexible childcare catering for irregular patterns of usage.

The 2017 CSA Parents Survey demonstrated an evident satisfaction with the times childcare was available. To a discernible extent there was feedback that:

(An element of) full daycare places could (still) be accessible 6.00pm – 7.00pm. (An element of) childminder provision could offer weekend places. (An element of) Out of school childcare could have extended opening hours.

30% of all respondents to the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey stated that a specific trend that they have observed since 2014 was an increase in demand for part-time childcare/hours.

Maintain a dialogue with childcare providers in Swansea about the relevant outcomes of the respect of 2017 CSA. Continued signposting to grants programme in terms of any wishing to expand provision availability.

High: Maintenance of communication with the Swansea childcare sector and other key partner organisations in order to develop aligned to (evolving) parental views/needs.


210

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.9 Times at which childcare is available, including the need for flexible childcare catering for irregular patterns of usage across the day, the week and the year.

The 2017 CSA Parents Survey demonstrated an evident satisfaction with the times childcare was available.

The 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey indicated that waiting lists within Swansea’s 0 – 4 years childcare sector tend to be at their highest for the Spring Term (entry). The 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey indicated that (only) 8% of out of school childcare provision is operational during Inset days. The 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey indicated that there is a reduction in the number of Swansea-based childcare providers offering holiday playschemes/provisions during February and Whitsun half terms and over the Christmas holidays.

Continuation of grants programme. Maintain a dialogue with childcare providers in Swansea about the relevant outcomes of the respect of 2017 CSA. Commission potential development work via CPCKC.

High: Maintenance of communication with the Swansea childcare sector and other key partner organisations in order to develop aligned to (evolving) parental views/needs. High: Continuation of relevant grants programme in a timely manner.


12.3.10 Location of childcare

The 2017 CSA Providers Survey indicated that during term time 70% of the children accessing the sessional childcare sector were resident within 0 – 1 miles of the setting in question, with the majority of the remaining children being resident within 1 – 3 miles.

The 2017 CSA Providers Survey indicated that during holiday time, on average, the percentage of children accessing provision during the school holidays who lived within 0 – 1 and 1 – 3 miles of a setting was lower (than for term time) – although not significantly.

Observation of identical metric(s) from provider /parental feedback.

High: Particular focused monitoring in wards where there is a relative lack of types of provision, such as in Mawr where 0 providers are situated.


211

Category Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.11 Location of childcare

Schools in the SA3/South West Swansea area accounted for the highest incidence of being approached by (their) parents about the possibility of the hosting more on-site childcare.

Potential development work undertaken by Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs to be focused on the SA3 area.

High: clarification of need and demand.

Commissioning of partner organisations undertaken 1 April 2017

12.3.12 Welsh medium childcare provision

5% of parents stated via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey that they had experienced a barrier to accessing localised Welsh medium childcare provision. 0 childminders evidently delivered exclusively through the medium of Welsh Over 50% of parents had an ambition for their children to be bilingual in English and Welsh.

Commissioning of development work with Mudiad Meithrin. Provision of relevant/language oriented training opportunities for providers.

Medium: A minimum of two further Cylchoedd Meithrin provisions to be established and registered by the CSSIW during the 2017 – 2018 financial year with a particular focus on the wards of Mawr (or bordering), Llansamlet, Pennard and Kingsbridge. Medium: (Continued) provision of Welsh-language training courses at various levels.

Commissioning of partner organisations undertaken 1 April 2017 with annual targets set

From April 2017

212

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.13 Childcare provision for different language categories

67% of respondents to the 2017 CSA Parents Survey stated “There is enough childcare available in the language of my choice”.

5% of parents stated via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey that they had experienced a barrier to accessing localised Welsh medium childcare provision. 0 childminders evidently delivered exclusively through the medium of Welsh. Over 50% of parents had an ambition for their children to be bilingual in English and Welsh.

Providers will be encouraged to raise awareness of various languages and cultures as well as celebrating cultural diversity.

Low: Unless there is a sizeable shift in the incidence of languages other than Welsh and English this criteria will be monitored via CSA updates.

Monitored and during regular meetings from 1 April 2017 onwards

12.3.14 Sustainability of childcare sector

Swansea’s early years childcare sector most frequently expected to be sustainable and operating for longer than 5 years. Swansea’s out of school childcare sector also most frequently expected to be sustainable and operating for longer than 5 years.

The 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported that 1 : 5 of the Swansea locality’s registered childminders (approximately 20 childminders) did not expect to still be operating by autumn 2019. Two wards where this response was notably repeated were (a) Llansamlet and (b) Morriston – both wards where the populations are relatively high, and in the case of the former, where a relatively high incidence of new housing development is set to take place. Annual nature of confirmation of grants which prohibits forward planning.

Revisit the current delivery model in respect of holistic childminder support and development. The forthcoming advent of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (including via the pilot programme) to incorporate places with childminders.

High: Maintain a focus on the number of registered childminders, with a specific emphasis on (maintaining) the level of childminding provision accessible.

High: Revisit the current delivery model in respect of holistic childminder support and ongoing development.


213

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.15 Cross Border arrangements

There was no evident affects on demand or supply by parents who were resident outside of Swansea (accessing childcare provision within its geographical boundaries). Indeed there was a negligible incidence of parents who were resident in Neath Port Talbot or Carmarthenshire accessing Swansea-based provision.

n/a

To maintain information sharing relationship with relevant officers at C&CS: information sharing relationship with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Carmarthenshire County Council.

Medium: to monitor (any) cross-border usage via CSA updates.


12.3.16 Workforce Development and Training

69% of providers cite the Swansea Family Information Service as the place they would obtain advice from about training and workforce issues.

Swansea Family Information Service has a robust training programme in place which addresses sector requirements as outlined in the CWLWM report.

73% of childcare providers who responded to the autumn 2016 Cwlwm workforce survey stated that they did not have a (ring-fenced/allocated) training budget. The summer 2016 SASS responses indicated that a relatively high proportion of the childcare workforce would see mandatory (course) certification expire within the (then) forthcoming 12 months.

City and County of Swansea to continue to offer/facilitate training for mandatory and optional childcare and early years themed courses. Continued work with partners such as Gower College Swansea; and continued offer of grants to support localised sectors workforce development needs.

High: FIS to maintain rapport with and engagement with childcare providers. Medium: Undertaking of an annual training/skills/ qualification audit with registered childcare providers. High: Re-visit the training framework to ensure procurement compliance.

To commence from 1 April 2017 and be ongoing October 2017 November 2017

214

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.17 Workforce Development and Training

The autumn 2016 Cwlwm workforce survey reported that the number of staff with a Level 3 or degree qualification is higher than the average for Wales metric.

… however, 16% of Swansea’s childcare workforce did not hold a formal childcare/play qualification.

Continuation of the workforce development grant and close working practices with providers of training-related funding.

High: Further clarity required in respect of the play sector workforce and the type of qualifications held and ideally required.



Excellent links with Gower College Swansea with a successful student placement programme being piloted in the localities Flying Start settings.

n/a

Maintenance and development of student placement programme.

High: Further development and enhancement of the Gower College Swansea student placement programme, with continued engagement with Flying Start provision.


215

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.19 Workforce Development and Training

The 2017 CSA Providers Survey and the 2017 Parents Survey demonstrated concerted and committed attempts to provide suitable childcare for children that have a range of additional needs and disabilities.

The 2017 CSA Providers Survey reported that formal childcare providers would welcome (even) more advice and support in relation to (most effectively) supporting children with special needs and disabilities.

Continued commissioning support from the Disability Development Officer. Continued disability awareness training offered to the childcare sector. Exploration of extending Swansea’s Third Sector remit to support its partners in the childcare sector.

High: Childcare providers to report feeling better equipped/more expert in meeting the needs of children with additional needs and disabilities.

Medium: Enlist Third Sector support and facilitate the necessary linkages.



The City and County of Swansea has an extensive and broad range of childcare provision that to a significant extent matches the geographical, economic and employment needs of the local authority area. The forthcoming advent of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (including via the early implementer pilot programme) will potentially identify usage trends and childcare type preferences based on parental choice.

A number of applicable childcare providers reported via the 2017 CSA Providers Survey that they would appreciate further information about the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot).

The Family Resource Team will ensure that providers are made aware of the offer, early implementation by various means.

High: Enhanced level of communication and information flow about the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot) – including through market engagement events.

Engagement events to continue throughout Spring 2017

216

Category Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.21 Workforce Development and Training

Children across all age ranges identified the desire for increased opportunities for outdoor play.

Raised awareness amongst childcare sector professionals: re: importance of outdoor play and children’s rights.

Medium: Explore further funding options for enhancing outdoor play. Medium: Creation of ‘ideas library’ for childcare providers to ‘embrace the outdoor environment’.. Medium: broker increased play-themed training opportunities.



Clarity required (from Welsh Government/CSSIW) in terms of the necessary qualifications required to operate a registered Play provision.

(Once clarification obtained) work with appropriate providers to ensure compliance in terms of qualifications.

Medium: Facilitate/engineer enhanced and qualified play-themed provision.



Evidence that Swansea-based childcare providers would benefit from more support and advice on the issue of CSSIW compliance.

Engagement with CSSIW, Family Information Service and other partner organisations to provide sector specific support.

High: Provision of information and grant funding to support essential compliance.


217

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.24

Existing excellent rapport between City and County of Swansea and the local childcare sector.

n/a

Maintenance of excellent rapport and mutual respect. Celebration of frequent successes of the Swansea childcare sector. Continuance of networking opportunities & “models” of incentivising the sector.

High: Maintenance and further enhancement of rapport – to help inform all aspects of work, and celebrate achievements, quality, good working practices, including the effective delivery of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot).

Ongoing…

12.3.25 Partnership Working

Partnership working and mutual support is evidently considered a great strength within the Swansea childcare sector.

There continues to be a shortfall in terms of consistent and meaningful engagement with employers… …It appears that employers have limited understanding of their employees’ childcare needs

To facilitate meaningful/ongoing engagement with a minimum of 2 local (representative) medium and/or large scale Swansea-based employers. Increase social media engagement, in terms of generating increased interest and awareness in fundamental childcare issues from local employers.

Medium: Exploration of ways that the Family Information Service team can best engage with local businesses, with an aim of offering childcare provision awareness sessions to employers – which is supported by paper resource materials and via an on-line facility.

Annual Family Information Service Outreach Plan addressed during April 2017 Engagement Events possibly undertaken in Autumn 2017

218

Category Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.27 Partnership Working

Partnership working continues via the commissioning of the localities key umbrella organisations.

Commission further Development with Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs, Mudiad Meithrin, Wales Preschool Providers Association, Pacey Cymru and Swansea Council for Voluntary Services.

High: Development work undertaken to address key gaps identified by the 2017 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.

Commissioning of partner organisations undertaken 1 April 2017 with annual targets set and monitored on a quarterly basis.

12.3.28 Partnership Working

The Best Start Swansea Campaign is a PSB priority and therefore partnership working is enshrined in all aspects of work.

Actively promote and support key messages of the Best Start Swansea campaign: Giving every child the best start in life.

High: Continue to extend invitations to all key partner organisations enabling their representation at Early Years sub-group meetings. High: Partner organisations feel engaged and involved in the progression of Best Start Swansea and its key messages.

Ongoing…

219

Category Strengths Actions Priorities Milestones 12.3.30 Partnership Working

Excellent collaboration between the Swansea Family Information Service Team and… Flying Start programme, Swansea Families First, Team Around the Family in Swansea, Swansea’s Play Sector, Parenting Team and Swansea-based Children & Family Centre’s.

Continuation of such collaborative working.

High: Ensure that the work of the Early Years Service dovetails in to wider/external priorities, to create a holistic and joined up approach – and ethos.

Ongoing…

220

12.4 Table 126: Issues facing specific categories of parents in relation to availability of childcare provision

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.4.1 Working Parents

The majority of working parents who responded to 2017 CSA Parents Survey stated that they were satisfied with the quality, choice, location and availability of childcare during both term time and during the school holidays. Such parents also generally believed that the language of their choice was effectively catered for.

5% of responding parents – some of whom were working parents – believed that a lack of Welsh medium provision, near to where they lived, had prevented them from taking up suitable childcare, at some point in the past. Over 50% of all parents consulted stated that the cost of childcare had acted as a barrier to them accessing provision, at some point.

Concerted monitoring of the (successes and any shortfalls of) early implementation of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot). Maintenance of a balance between sustainability of and the maximisation of existing provision and the creation of new places aligned to evidential parental demand.

High: Monitoring and evaluation of the Welsh Government free childcare offer (pilot). Medium: Realisation of an applicable/appropriate increase in the number of registered Welsh medium providers or providers delivering equally through Welsh and English mediums.



12.4.2 Working Parents


Low incidence of working parents claiming the childcare element of working tax/universal credit.

Raise awareness – including with employers – of financial support sources and the ability for them to be advised and helped with the initiation of claims.

Continued use of social media to promote support sources.

High: Improved linkage and joint communications between FIS and the Local Authority’s Benefits and Anti Poverty Department.


221

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.4.3 Working Parents

The City and County of Swansea was selected as a pilot area for the Welsh Government free childcare offer. The 2017 CSA Providers Survey demonstrated tangible interest in from appropriate representatives of the localities childcare sector in delivering the offer to their local families.

Awareness of the childcare offer needs to be enhanced.

Concerted and strategic promotion and marketing via social media, outreach, presentations, advertising campaigns, press releases and face-to-face information dissemination.

High: Ensure visibility of Swansea Family Information Service is maximised and that the organisation is recognised as the ‘face of the Welsh Government free childcare’. Offer (pilot). High: Link to Talk childcare Campaign.

Annual Family Information Service Outreach plan addressed during April 2017

12.4.4 Parents seeking work or training opportunities

n/a

Regular and timely information provided by City and County of Swansea social media sources website. Maintenance of Family Information Service (FIS) outreach throughout the Swansea community.

High: Ensure the role of and the fundamental work of Swansea Family Information Service is accessible, flexible and consistently/regularly widely publicised. Positive linkages with PACE, Jobcentre Plus.


12.4.5 Unemployed households

n/a

Affordability of formal childcare was an evident issue – via the 2017 CSA Parents Survey – in wards which are associated with income deprivation such as (in particular) Penderry and Townhill.

Regular and timely information provided via City and County of Swansea social media sources website.

Geographically targeted Family Information Service (FIS) outreach.

High: Maintenance of dialogue with key stakeholders including Swansea Jobcentre Plus and Benefits Team, to ensure accurate information is available in order to support families in making informed choices.

Ongoing…

222

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.4.6 Low income families

Assisted Places Scheme operational in Swansea to support access to childcare for qualifying families. Availability of financial support via (a) free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds (b) Flying Start daycare element (c) childcare element of the WTC (d) tax free childcare (e) Employer Supported Childcare.

Relatively low number of grants available.

Low levels of take-up and evident understanding of financial support available to help pay for childcare.

Continuation of Assisted Places Scheme. Regular and timely information – concerning the availability of financial support – provided via City and County of Swansea social media sources website. Maintenance of Family Information Service (FIS) outreach throughout the Swansea community. Geographically targeted Family Information Service (FIS) outreach.

High: Maintenance of appropriate partnership working to ensure that the Assisted Places Scheme continues to benefit the most relevant families. High: Ensure the role of and the fundamental work of Swansea Family Information Service is accessible, flexible and consistently/regularly widely publicised. High: Maintenance of dialogue with key stakeholders including Swansea Jobcentre Plus and Benefits Team, to ensure accurate information is available in order to support families in making informed choices (about work versus childcare costs).

Grants available from 1 April 2017 Annual Family Information Service Outreach Plan addressed during April 2017

223

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.4.7 Lone parent families

Assisted Places Scheme operational in Swansea to support access to childcare. Availability of financial support via (a) free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds (b) Flying Start daycare element (c) childcare element of the WTC (d) tax free childcare (e) Employer Supported Childcare.

Relatively limited number of grants available.

Low levels of take-up and evident understanding of financial support available to help pay for childcare.

At the 2011 ONS Census 7.8% of households comprised lone parent (families) with dependent children – i.e. 8,063 households… The Family Resource Team will work with Children and Family Centres, Flying Start programme et al to reach, inform and support (sometimes isolated) lone parents.

High: Maintenance of Swansea Family Information Service links with partner organisations/centres and umbrella organisations, with a view to the provision of targeted outreach (and support) to appropriate forums and groups.


12.4.8 Families from ethnic minority backgrounds

The 2017 CSA Childcare Providers reported how childcare providers had identified increased demand and take-up from families whose country of origin is outside of the United Kingdom.

The childcare workforce of Swansea is predominantly staffed by females from White British backgrounds and has low representation from (a) non-White British and (b) male backgrounds.

Work with Swansea-based learning establishments, Swansea Jobcentre Plus and localised providers to actively raise the profile of a career in childcare amongst people from a non-White British backgrounds and men.

Medium: Re-fresh appropriate contact with Higher and Further Education establishments in Swansea, careers professionals and Swansea Jobcentre Plus. Medium: Advise that childcare providers celebrate cultural diversity at every opportunity.


224

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.4.9 Families with children who have additional needs or a disability

The existing 1 : 1 Childcare Referral Scheme and the ability to provide specific resources is very popular with both childcare providers, parents / carers and children.

Limited amount of funding available One third of childcare providers perceived during the 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey that there was a lack of provision in their immediate geographical area for children with additional needs, disabilities and complex medical needs.

Continuance of the existing 1 : 1 Childcare Referral Scheme

High: Maintenance of grant giving role… Medium: Continued dialogue and potential future work with specific specialist Third Sector groups. Medium: General development with potentially a specific (development) focus on the SA1/South East Swansea and SA2/South Central Swansea.


12.4.10 Families with children who have additional needs or a disability

The 2017 CSA has demonstrated that children with a wide range of additional needs are effectively and professionally supported within Swansea’s childcare sector.

The 2017 CSA Childcare Providers Survey reported how a number of settings and childminders believed that they would benefit from additional training in terms of providing care for children with additional needs. Feedback received by the Family Information Service indicates that childcare providers would benefit from a greater awareness of specific grants available to address physical adaptations to their setting.

Organise/broker both general and specialised (additional) training opportunities for childcare providers. Exploration of the potential extension of the Third Sector’s specialist remit and experience with regard to inclusion and inclusive practice.

High: Continue to commission the work of the Disability Development Officer and broker further disability awareness training and signposting opportunities. High: Source (more) appropriate training opportunities. Medium: Discussion with relevant organisations/Third Sector providers in terms of help, support and development.


225

Category Strengths Areas of focus Actions Priorities Milestones 12.4.11 Welsh medium childcare provision

82% of respondents to the 2017 CSA Parents Survey stated that the language spoken at home was English, followed by 14% stating bilingual: English and Welsh… (The wards of Llansamlet and Mawr have the highest number of (Swansea-based) residents who can speak, read and write in Welsh).

Whilst Welsh language childcare provision exists, few are CSSIW registered. (Currently only 3 providers are CSSIW registered Cylchoedd Meithrin). 5% of parents stated they had experienced a barrier to accessing local Welsh medium provision. Although there is no evidence to suggest the need for a specific Welsh Medium Day Nursery – only 11% of full daycare providers have reported offering a combination of Welsh and English provision.

Commission Mudiad Meithrin to further develop Cylchoedd Meithrin generally and with a specific focus on the wards of Mawr, Llansamlet, Pennard and Kingsbridge and for these Cylchoedd to pursue CSSIW registration.

Commission supplementary development work with Mudiad Meithrin including in order to achieve an increase in the baseline figure of 11% of full daycare providers offering equal levels of Welsh (language) and English (language) provision as opposed to English with some use of Welsh.

A range of Welsh Immersion Sessions to be made available to the Swansea childcare sector. This will enable providers to show progression from basic to intermediate levels of Welsh language proficiency.

Medium: Commission Mudiad Meithrin to further develop the Welsh-speaking element of Swansea’s childcare sector. High: Develop and facilitate Welsh Immersion Sessions.

High: Maintenance of the 3 current Welsh-language providers/CSSIW registered Cylchoedd Meithrin – and a minimum of 2 further Cylchoedd Meithrin set up and registered by the CSSIW during the 2017 – 2018 financial year.

Commissioning of partner organisations undertaken 1 April 2017 with annual targets set and quarterly monitoring undertaken

city and county of swansea childcare sufficiency ... · government. the city and county of...

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