Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng. / Cllr Mair Rowlands
Decision:
·
To
approve the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017-2022 for submission to Welsh
Government.
·
To
use existing resources and funding to address the gaps highlighted in the
Assessment, and develop additional childcare where necessary, in accordance with
the action plan.
Minutes:
RESOLVED
·
To approve the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2017-2022 for submission to Welsh Government.
·
To use existing resources and funding to address the gaps highlighted in the Assessment, and develop additional childcare where necessary, in accordance
with the action plan.
DISCUSSION
The Childcare
Sufficiency Assessment 2017-2022 was presented and it was noted that the
Assessment needed to be submitted to Welsh Government by 30 April. It was noted that existing resources and
funding would be used to address the gaps highlighted, in accordance with the
Action Plan.
The Childcare Act
2006 (Local Authority Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016 required Local
Authorities to prepare assessments of the sufficiency of the childcare
provision in their area and for these to be reviewed regularly. It was noted that an Action Plan identified
gaps within the assessment and a procedure was in place within the Childcare
Statutory Guidance.
Observations
from the discussion
- It was enquired how the 30 hours of
Childcare Scheme would work alongside this project. Rachel Jones noted that she had written the
assessment and worked with the 30 hour childcare scheme, and consequently, both
projects would tie-in together.
- It was noted that not much had been noted
in the Milestones column in the Action Plan within the Assessment, therefore, a
question was asked about who had the responsibility of ensuring that the
milestones were realised. It was
emphasised that there would be milestones for each action and that a Childcare
Strategic Board would be established jointly between Gwynedd and Anglesey.
- A question was asked regarding why the
number of responses to the parent questionnaire had been so low - Rachel Jones
noted that the Government had reconciled the assessment and questionnaire
across Wales and she noted that the number of responses had been low across
Wales as a result. Rachel also
highlighted the fact that she had created a short local questionnaire herself
in order to obtain more information from parents.
- It was noted that grants accompanied the
Assessment; however, grants tended to come to an end and where would the
service be left if this would be the case.
It was emphasised that this could be seen across all departments and
that the department would prioritise and look at their services.
- In relation to the Welsh language, it was
asked whether the plan and childcare available were in accordance with the
education department's language policy.
It was highlighted that the phrasing used in the questionnaire classed
provisions that operated through the medium of Welsh, but completed their
paperwork through the medium of English, as bilingual provisions; despite the
fact that the provision for the children was Welsh-medium. It was emphasised
that the questionnaire followed Welsh Government's terminology and it was noted
that there was a need to confirm that the provision was available through the
medium of Welsh.
- It was noted that discussions were
currently underway to develop an inter-generation care plan with Bangor
University so that childcare and older people care could be brought together;
it was noted that the department hoped that there would be a relationship
between this plan and the assessment.
Before bringing
the meeting to a close, the
Council Leader thanked Council officers for their
support during his term as Council Leader.
Awdur:Rachel Jones
Supporting documents: