Agenda item

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 business ward level information as a planning tool to support access or expansion of places, while highlighting areas of focus for the year ahead.

With significant government expansion of early years childcare and wraparound care currently taking place, this information and data is vital for private businesses seeking to enter the market and help the Council fulfil its statutory duties.

The content of the assessment concludes that the Council is meeting its statutory duties. It is also important to highlight that, at the time of writing, the quality of our providers stands at 99.2% good or outstanding (compared to 97.8% in England).

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

The Head of Service Place Planning and Admissions a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Council had 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 business ward level information as a planning tool to support access or expansion of places, while highlighting areas of focus for the year ahead.

With significant government expansion of early years childcare and wraparound care currently taking place, this information and data was vital for private businesses seeking to enter the market and help the Council fulfil its statutory duties.

The content of the assessment concludes that the Council was meeting its statutory duties. It was also important to highlight that, at the time of writing, the quality of our providers stands at 99.2% good or outstanding (compared to 97.8% in England).

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

The Committee considered the update and made the following comments:

• In response to concerns raised regarding the lack of childminder and preschool options in Boscombe West, the Committee was advised that 125 day nursery places were available. However, the area's housing situation had made it challenging for childminders to set up services. While there were limited options in Boscombe West, suitable alternatives were within walking distance, with Boscombe East offering 326 places and West Southbourne offering 292 places.
• The Committee was informed that the service aimed to promote the value of childminders and the unique environment they provided for families seeking childcare in a home setting. It was a priority for the service to actively encourage, support, and engage with childminders to ensure that their concerns were heard, with the aim of promoting and facilitating childcare provision whenever possible.
• In response to a query regarding the ongoing issues with the Mudeford Wood Playgroup, the Committee noted disputes between the playgroup and the Mudeford Community Trust, which had been raised with BCP Council. While the council did not have a formal legal role, it provided advisory support to ensure parents and families had access to quality childcare. The service was exploring alternative site options with the preschool, though there were no guarantees due to time constraints. BCP Council was concerned about the impact on local children and families and aimed to maintain a child-focused approach in addressing the issues.
• In response to a query regarding the extended provisions for September 2025, the Committee was advised that families with children aged 9 months to 4 years were entitled to 15 hours of free childcare within a 30-hour week, increasing to 30 hours in September 2025. The service acknowledged the late announcement, which resulted in necessary changes being made on short notice but remained confident in meeting the targets for the expanded entitlement.

RESOLVED that Members note the final content and design of the plan.

Voting: Unanimous