Issue - meetings

The Council has a statutory duty to provide working families of children aged 0-14 (18 with SEND) enough childcare places in its area, where reasonably practicable.  Each year Research and Children’s Services colleagues assess the position of the market, providing parents, councillors, schools and private businesses ward level information as a planning tool to support access or expansion of places, while highlighting areas of focus or concern.

With significant government expansion of early years childcare now fully embedded this information and data is vital for private businesses seeking to enter the market and help the Council fulfil its ongoing statutory duties and the content of the assessment concludes that the Council is meeting its statutory duties.

In addition to a briefing report (appendix 1) the data that helped form the assessment is accessible here.