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Childcare Sufficiency

Report 2017

June 2017

1

Contents:

Section Title Page

1. Introduction 2

1.1. Statutory Guidance 2

1.2. Sufficiency 2

2. Childcare Supply 3

2.1. Quality 3

2.2. Three and Four Year Olds 7

2.3. Changes in childcare costs between 2011 and 2016 9

2.4. Workforce Statistics 10

2.5. Children Who Are Disabled 11

3. Childcare Demand 12

3.1. Family Information Service, Dorset County Council 12

3.2. Early learning & childcare free entitlement for children aged 2 years old 12

3.3. Early leaning & childcare free entitlement for children aged 3 to 4 years old 13

3.4. Educational Attainment as measured by 2016 Early Years Foundation Stage Profile 13

3.5. Early Years Pupil Premium 14

3.6. Looked after children and the Virtual School Head 15

3.7. Introduction of 30 Hours Free Childcare Entitlement 15

4. Summary 16

5. Childcare Sufficiency Action Plan 2017 17

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1. Introduction 1.1. Statutory Guidance The early education and childcare statutory guidance for the Local Authority (LA), issued by the Department for Education (DfE) sets out the LA’s obligations for early years provision in line with its duties under the Childcare Act 2006. Under sections of the Act, English LAs have specific duties:

Section 6, places a duty on English LAs to secure sufficient childcare for working parents.

Section 7 (as substituted by section 1 of the Education Act 2011, fully in force from 1 September 2013), places a duty on English LAs to secure early years provision free of charge. Regulations made under section 7 set out the type and amount of free provision and the children who benefit. This guidance refers to early years provision free of charge’ as ‘early education’.

Section 12, places a duty on English LAs to provide information, advice and assistance to parents and prospective parents.

Section 13, places a duty on English LAs to provide information, advice and training to childcare providers.

1.2. Sufficiency Duty to Assess Sufficiency The Government introduced measures in the Children and Families Act 2014 to repeal the section 11 duty to assess childcare provision. However, some form of assessment is still required in order to ensure compliance with the remaining duties under sections 6 and 7. To secure sufficient childcare places, LAs are required by legislation to:

Secure sufficient childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0-14 (or up to 18 for disabled children)

To secure sufficient childcare places, LAs should:

Take into account what is ‘reasonably practicable’ when assessing what sufficient childcare means in their area.

Childcare Sufficiency Report 2017 In order to ensure that they meet the duties under sections 6 and 7 of the Childcare Act 2006, LAs are required to make an assessment of the local childcare market, including the demand for specific types of providers in a particular locality and the amount and type of supply that currently exists. There is a requirement to report annually on how the LA is meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare ensuring the report is available and accessible to parents. This report assesses the local childcare market across Dorset including supply and demand information. Where possible, comparisons are made between England, South West and Dorset data. Information about the supply and demand of childcare for particular age ranges of children, and the affordability, accessibility and quality of provision is included. The report also includes a section on the potential impact on sufficiency of the new extended 30 hours free childcare offer which becomes a statutory entitlement for eligible working parents from September 2017. Dorset agreed to the DfE request to introduce this extended entitlement to all eligible parents as an “early roll-out” area with effect from 1st April 2017.

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Finally, there is an action plan to address any gaps identified in relation to sufficiency of childcare in Dorset so that we meet our duty in enabling parental access to high quality childcare.

2. Childcare Supply 2.1. Quality The Government wants all children to be able to take up their entitlement to funded early education in a high quality setting. Statutory guidance to LAs is clear that they should only fund two-year-olds with providers that have been rated “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted. In some situations, LAs may fund two-year-old children in providers that have been judged ‘satisfactory/requires improvement’ where there is not sufficient accessible ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ provision. LA improvement support will be focused on settings deemed ‘satisfactory/requires improvement’, alongside strong monitoring of improvement by Ofsted. However, LAs will be expected to support these providers in line with Ofsted recommendations. LAs, should however, not fund settings that have an “Inadequate” rating and should secure alternative provision and withdraw funding, as soon as is practicable, for children who are already receiving their Government funded entitlement at a provider when it is rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted. Providers should no longer be asked to meet additional requirement from the LA in order to receive funding other than to ensure that the funded places are entirely free of charge to parents; are offered flexibly to meet the needs of parents; make proper use of public funds; that providers meet the needs of children who are disabled or those with a special education need; and that providers are keeping children safe. However, the guidance does allow LAs to place conditions on those providers judged as ‘satisfactory’ / ‘requires improvement’ provided these address concerns raised by Ofsted in an inspection report.

Ofsted overall effectiveness of Early Years inspected settings in

Dorset for providers in 2009-16

Source: Ofsted 2009-16

11%

11%

13%

13%

16%

21%

22%

21%

55%

55%

56%

59%

62%

66%

64%

74%

30%

32%

30%

27%

21%

13%

14%

5%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Outstanding

Good

Satisfactory

Inadequate

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Ofsted overall effectiveness of Early Years inspected settings in Dorset in 2016 for all providers compared to statistical neighbours

Source: Ofsted – December 2016 The last 5 years have seen a rise in the number of “Good” and “Outstanding” providers from 66% in 2009 to 95% in 2016. This enables parents to access quality provision and supports the authority to meet our 2 year old offer which requires that we only fund free early learning for 2 year olds at providers judged “Good” or better. 99% of Dorset’s funded 2 year olds are receiving their entitlement at providers rated “Good” or better.

Percentage of Ofsted Early Years inspected settings with Good or Outstanding Outcome by Locality for 2017 Ofsted judgements of quality of provision continue to show an upward trend across Dorset County Council area rising to 95% Good and Outstanding in March 2017 from 86% in 2016. Purbeck is the highest performing area with 100% groups and childminders achieving Ofsted Good or Outstanding in March 2017. Excluding the West, all other areas have an upward trend in relation to Ofsted quality judgements.

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Ofsted judgements by area and % against total providers. Please note the total numbers and % shown exclude those “Not Met”, “Met” or “Not Yet Inspected”

Christchurch In RI Good OS Total Trend

2016 2% 15% 75% 8% 48

2017 0% 8% 78% 14% 50

East In RI Good OS Total Trend

2016 2% 8% 68% 22% 88

2017 0% 4% 67% 29% 82

Purbeck In RI Good OS Total Trend

2016 0% 16% 51% 33% 43

2017 0% 0% 65% 35% 43

North In RI Good OS Total Trend

2016 0% 17% 61% 22% 83

2017 0% 3% 68% 30% 71

West In RI Good OS Total Trend

2016 0% 4% 75% 21% 71

2017 0% 6% 75% 19% 64

Weymouth & Portland

In RI Good OS Total Trend

2016 2% 21% 68% 10% 63

2017 2% 7% 77% 14% 57

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Number of Day Care Ofsted registered childcare providers for children under five years old (0-4) by district and year

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Christchurch 9 8 9 8 8

East Dorset 15 20 18 20 18

North Dorset 12 13 12 13 11

Purbeck 6 5 6 6 5

West Dorset 14 13 14 14 14

Weymouth & Portland 13 13 12 12 9

DCC Dorset 69 72 71 73 65

Source: Dorset FIS Synergy Database Autumn 2016

Number of Pre School / Playgroup Ofsted registered childcare providers for children under five years old (0-4) by district and year

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


East Dorset 30 28 28 22 24


Purbeck 14 14 14 14 14

West Dorset 40 38 37 35 35


DCC Dorset 140 135 134 124 127


Number of Childminder Ofsted registered childcare providers for children under five years old (0-4) by district and year

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


East Dorset 73 74 73 62 59


Purbeck 38 34 34 30 26

West Dorset 51 60 60 51 45


DCC Dorset 308 295 305 270 244


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Overall, the market within Dorset has contracted during a period of significant economic depression. Since 2012, we have seen a 6% reduction in daycare providers and reductions of 9% in pre-schools and 21% in childminders.

Where gaps have been identified in areas where there are likely to be a significant number of eligible children and there is currently no provision for two year olds, the LA have facilitated the establishment of new provision to provide the required places. In some rural locations where the numbers of eligible children are insufficient to sustain a group provision, work has been undertaken and is on-going to promote childminders as an option to parents.

2.2. Three and Four Year Olds In order to meet our duty to provide sufficient childcare free of charge we work with providers to encourage them to join the early education funding directory of providers who have registered to deliver the funded free childcare offer.

The Sufficiency and Funding Team work with existing providers in financial difficulties to assess the reason for their financial pressures and will, when deciding on the need for any financial support, take the sufficiency of places in an area into account. Support is also provided to potential new providers looking to move into the sector; advice is given about where a new provision would be welcome and where it would be unlikely to succeed due to there already being sufficient or over supply in some areas.

All settings offering places for the Early Learning and Childcare Free Entitlement in DCC Dorset for 2012-16 by locality

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Christchurch 36% 60% 77% 78% 81% (46)

East Dorset 45% 66% 68% 72% 78% (79)

North Dorset 43% 64% 70% 72% 84% (61)

Purbeck 41% 62% 65% 78% 87% (39)

West Dorset 50% 63% 64% 74% 81% (76)

Weymouth & Portland 54% 57% 70% 65% 76% (50)

DCC Dorset 46% 63% 69% 73% 78% (351)


Daycare and Preschool/Playgroup settings offering places for the Early Learning and Childcare Free Entitlement in DCC Dorset for 2012-16 by locality

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Christchurch 80% 84% 85% 94% 94% (17)

East Dorset 91% 96% 89% 88% 98% (41)

North Dorset 95% 97% 91% 86% 100% (32)

Purbeck 100% 100% 90% 95% 100% (19)

West Dorset 95% 100% 94% 96% 100% (49)


DCC Dorset 93% 97% 92% 90% 98% (188)


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Childminders offering places for the Early Learning and Childcare Free Entitlement in DCC Dorset for 2012-16 by locality

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Christchurch 11% 45% 72% 70% 74% (29)

East Dorset 16% 47% 55% 61% 64% (38)

North Dorset 15% 41% 57% 61% 71% (29)

Purbeck 12% 39% 50% 67% 77% (20)

West Dorset 5% 28% 40% 53% 60% (27)


DCC Dorset 13% 38% 53% 60% 67% (163)

Source: Dorset FIS Synergy Database Autumn 2016 The overall percentage of childcare providers offering places for the Early Learning and childcare free entitlement has increased from 46% in 2012 to 78% in 2016, largely as a result of the significant increase in childminders registering to offer free places.

Number of childcare providers for school age children (5-7) by district and year After School Club

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


East Dorset 13 11 11 7 10


Purbeck 9 9 10 10 11

West Dorset 19 17 17 15 15


DCC Dorset 79 76 75 65 67


Holiday Club

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


East Dorset 10 8 9 5 6


Purbeck 8 8 7 7 6

West Dorset 15 14 15 14 14


DCC Dorset 60 59 56 47 47


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Breakfast Club

Area 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016


East Dorset 12 13 12 10 11


Purbeck 9 9 11 11 11

West Dorset 17 18 19 18 18


DCC Dorset 75 79 80 75 75


In respect of school age children, there has been a reduction of 15% in after-school clubs and 22% in holiday clubs in the period since 2012. During that time the number of breakfast clubs has remained static. The Family Information Service continues to receive very few enquiries from parent’s having difficulty finding suitable provision for their children. It is anticipated that the introduction of the extended 30 hours offer for working parents and the ability for parents to “stretch” the use of their free entitlement, may lead to an increase in the number of childcare providers for school age children offering free entitlement provision.

2.3. Changes in childcare costs between 2011 and 2015 Childcare providers have faced significant cost increases since 2011 including an increase of 23.3% in the National Minimum/Living Wage up to April 2017 with a further increase of 7.3% in the National Living Wage confirmed with effect from April 2018. In addition, childcare providers have also faced significant increases in their utility bills and also the introduction of the workplace pension’s scheme requiring employer contributions of 3%. A substantial increase in the rateable values of premises in 2017 has also seen some providers, particularly private providers, face significant increases in their business rates costs.

Average weekly childcare costs (for 2 and over) by region and nation for 2016

Source: Family and Childcare trust Childcare Costs Survey 2016, Dorset FIS Synergy Database

Region/Nation

London £148.74 £146.81 £54.39

South East £133.32 £116.86 £50.81

England regional average £113.06 £104.42 £48.90

Britain average for regions and nations £111.88 £103.48 £48.97

South West £111.63 £103.53 £51.49

East of England £110.88 £104.08 £51.89

East Midlands £109.15 £98.74 £44.80

Wales average £109.07 £96.53 £45.40

West Midlands £106.91 £93.06 £46.92

Scotland average £104.06 £102.02 £53.21

North East £102.20 £97.29 £48.20

North West £101.08 £88.21 £45.80

DorsetCC £97.16 £102.57 £57.99

Yorks and Humberside £93.60 £91.16 £45.78

Nursery

25 hours

Childminder

25 hours

After-school club

15 hours

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Changes in nursery childcare costs (under 2) between 2011 and 2016 by region /nation

Source: Family and Childcare trust Childcare Costs Survey 2016, Dorset FIS Synergy Database The financial pressures outlined above have contributed to the charges for childcare for a child under 2 years old increasing by an average of 23.7% in England but for Dorset this figure is an average rise of 6%.

2.4. Workforce Statistics The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) has the following qualification requirements:

In group settings, the manager must hold at least a full and relevant level 3 qualification and at least half of all other staff must hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification.

Childminders must have completed training which helps them to understand and implement the EYFS before they can register with Ofsted or a childminder agency.

Our 2016 workforce development survey evidenced that Dorset settings exceed these minimum requirements. 81% of staff working in group settings were qualified to level 3 or above. Although not a requirement to registering as a childminder, 100% of those that responded to the survey were level 3 or above qualified. DCC fund towards the cost of level 2-6 qualifications. However since 2012 the numbers applying has dramatically reduced; this could be because such a high proportion of staff are already qualified to Level 3 or above, but higher course fees and the requirements brought in during 2014 to hold GCSEs grade A-C in maths and English to start a Level 3 qualification are likely to contribute to less practitioners

Region/Nation

East Midlands 29.3%

London 29.2%

East of England 28.1%

England 23.7%

North West 22.9%

Wales 20.8%

Britain average of regions and nations 20.0%

North East 20.0%

South East 16.2%

South West 14.0%

Scotland 12.4%

Yorks and Humberside 11.2%

West Midlands 8.0%

Dorset CC 6.0%

Nursery

25 hours

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/childcare/qualifications

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progressing their qualification levels. However the GCSE requirement was amended in April 2017 so that newly qualified Level 3 practitioners can now hold any suitable level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications therefore we expect a gradual increase in practitioners qualifying to level 3. Research shows providers employing graduates offer better quality care and education for children; therefore DCC rewards voluntary and private settings who employ a graduate Early Years Teacher (EYT) by paying the Graduate Leader Fund (GLF), which increases EYT salaries. In May 2017 there were 84 EYTs working in Dorset provision and 54 providers were claiming GLF. 52 (96%) of providers claiming GLF and employing an EYT are rated Outstanding or Good by Ofsted. The remaining two are awaiting inspection. Therefore this substantiates the national evidence linking graduate leaderships with higher quality provision. There are over 100 practitioners qualified to level 5 or 6, but only a handful of these are actively progressing towards EYT status. The likely reasons that many stop at level 5/6, include; taking a study break, GCSE requirements (English, maths and science), higher course fees and reduced funding. DCC has a workforce development plan to continue to encourage and incentivise early years practitioners to increase their qualification level.

2.5. Children Who Are Disabled There has been a continued focus on inclusive childcare and a demonstrated commitment to equality and diversity across all early years’ services. The total number of Dorset’s early years children with SEND supported through additional funding to enable access to their free entitlement is currently 115 spread across 69 settings. Applications for children for September 2017 to enable access to the extended offer of more than 15 hours have already been submitted. There has been a positive promotion of two year old free early learning to families through a campaign of targeted marketing and the introduction of the “Golden Ticket”. This has resulted in a much higher level of take up of the two year old free offer leading to a strengthened link between services. This contributes to serve the best outcomes for children who are disabled. As part of the implementation of the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF), introduced by the Government from April 2017, a new Disability Access Fund (DAF) was created. This pays an annual amount of £615 to childcare providers for each child they have who is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). In addition, the new EYNFF also introduced a requirement that all LAs create an Inclusion Fund to support providers with children with emerging SEN; in Dorset this fund is currently a maximum of £500 per child to be used for early intervention. Applications from providers are assessed on demonstration of the difference this will make for children. This increased focus on and funding for children with SEND, together with the extension of the 2 year old free entitlement criteria to include children with SEND will ensure that an increasing number of Dorset’s children who are disabled will be able to access good quality childcare.

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/working-in-childcare/early-years-teacher-status

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3. Childcare Demand 3.1. Family Information Service, Dorset County Council Section 12 of the Childcare Act 2006 places a duty on LAs to ensure that parents have sufficient information, advice and assistance about childcare places in their area. The Government issued statutory guidance about what this means in terms of the sorts of information and brokerage services LAs should provide and the role of Family Information Service (FIS) in delivering them. The FIS role is to ensure parents, children, young people, families, carers and practitioners can access the full range of 0-19 information they need. Typically this includes information on childcare, family support services, activities of all types, family and play facilities, parent support, funding and brokerage of other 0-19 services.

3.2. Early Learning & Childcare Free Entitlement for Children aged 2 years old

Current Position In September 2013, the DfE introduced a statutory entitlement to 15 hours of free early education for the 20% most disadvantaged two year olds. Eligibility for this entitlement is benefit based and follows the same criteria as that for Free School Meals. The entitlement was extended in September 2014 to include working families in receipt of working tax credits and an annual income below £16,190. Dorset has a fully automated on-line checking system for parents to self-serve and check their eligibility for a two year old funded early education place. Mediated access to this on-line system is available via Dorset Direct for those families who do not have access to internet facilities or who need help to access the eligibility checking system.

Take up of 2 year old Early Learning & Childcare Free Entitlement

Area

Take up

No of Eligible Families

No of Families accessing

%

Christchurch 91 47 51.6

East Dorset 156 82 52.6

North Dorset 181 104 57.5

Purbeck 96 59 61.5

West Dorset 221 128 57.9

Weymouth & Portland 276 149 54.0

DCC Dorset 1021 569 55.7

Source: DfE List of Potentially Eligible families & Dorset FIS Synergy Database Spring 2017 (excludes children from out of county, adjustments, Looked after and SEND eligible children)

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3.3. Early Learning & Childcare Free Entitlement for Children aged 3 to 4 years old The main intake to all Dorset schools is at the start of the autumn term i.e. the September following the child’s fourth birthday. Very few parents defer their child’s school place until January although this is an option. The most recent statistics published by the DfE in June 2016 show that take up of the free entitlement by three and four year olds overall in Dorset from the 2016 census is 100% which compares positively with a national figure of 95% and a South West figure of 97%.

Take up of Early Learning & Childcare Free Entitlement 2016

Area

3 and 4 year olds

Take Up Accessing Full

Entitlement

Christchurch 95% 72%

East Dorset 107% 68%

North Dorset 95% 72%

Purbeck 98% 75%

West Dorset 95% 66%

Weymouth & Portland 100% 81%

DCC Dorset 99% 72%

Source: Dorset FIS Synergy Database Autumn 2016 We can conclude that we have been effective in marketing the free entitlement and successful in ensuring that the take up of the free entitlement is universal amongst eligible families. However there is some work still to do in encouraging families to take up their full entitlement in order to ensure that the free early learning and childcare has the best outcomes for children.

3.4. Educational Attainment as measured by 2016 Early Years Foundation Stage Profile

Percentage of Pupils with a 'Good Level of Development'

Area 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dorset 61% 68% 68% 70%

Statistical Neighbour 53% 62% 68% 71%

National 52% 60% 66% 69%

Source: Dorset EYFS Profile 2016 Dorset is performing in line with both statistical neighbours and the national average in 2016. Comparisons with EYFS profile results earlier than 2013 are not possible due to a change in the method of recording the data.

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The % achievement gap between the lowest attaining 20% of children and the mean

Area 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dorset 26.2% 24.1% 24.9% 25.9%

Statistical Neighbour 31.5% 29.3% 27.8% 26.9%

National 36.6% 33.9% 32.1% 31.4%

Source: Dorset EYFS Profile 2016 Dorset is performing well in comparison with its statistical neighbours and the national average in 2016. Comparisons with EYFS profile results earlier than 2013 are not possible due to a change in the method of recording the data.

Percentage of Pupils Achieving at Least the Expected Level in the Areas of Learning

Area COM PHY PSE LIT MAT UTW EXP

Dorset – 2016 (2014) 85 (85) 90 (90) 88 (87) 74 (71) 80 (79) 88 (88) 92 (90)

England – 2016 (2014) 82 (80) 87 (87) 85 (84) 72 (70) 77 (76) 83 (82) 86 (85)

South West – 2016 (2014) 83 (82) 89 (89) 86 (85) 74 (72) 79 (77) 86 (86) 89 (88)

Source: Dorset EYFS Profile 2016 Dorset is performing well in comparison with the South West and the national average in 2016. Comparisons with EYFS profile earlier than 2013 results are not possible due to a change in the method of recording the data.

3.5. Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) EYPP was introduced for all eligible 3 and 4 year olds with effect from 1st April 2015; eligibility for this entitlement is benefit based and follows the same criteria as that of Free School Meals. EYPP is equivalent to 53p per hour up to a maximum of £302.10 per eligible child per annum where a child takes the maximum 15 hours per week for 38 weeks per year. This funding is paid to providers for each eligible child they identify and carry out an eligibility check on through DCC’s fully on-line self-service checking process. For the spring term 2017, there were 609 children claimed for by providers. This represents 100% of the estimated take-up assumed by the DfE when allocating the EYPP funding to the LA for 2016/17. Providers will have to demonstrate to Ofsted how the additional money generated by the EYPP has been spent on improving the outcomes for their eligible children and what difference it has made to their outcomes.

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3.6. Looked after children and the Virtual School Head Children who are looked after by the LA are also eligible for EYPP. However, in the case of these children the funding of £302.10 is not paid to providers based on claims made, but the decision as to how the funding should be used is the responsibility of the Virtual School Head. The Virtual School Head has to decide how to spend these funds in order to maximise the impact on the outcomes for looked after children in the county, In Dorset the Virtual School Head has decided to distribute the funding to those providers where Looked after Children attend. This is in recognition of the high proportion of looked after children attending “Good” or “Outstanding” provision. Over 90% of looked after children are attending local childcare provision and funding has been paid to providers for these children. The Sufficiency and Funding team and the Early Years and Childcare Service work closely with the Virtual School Head in order to ensure that looked after children are taking up their free early education entitlement in high quality provision.

3.7. Introduction of 30 Hours Free Childcare Entitlement The Government have introduced, from September 2017, a statutory entitlement to an additional 15 hours of free early education making 30 in total, for eligible families where all parents in the family are working and earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage and no parent in the household is earning more than £100,000 per annum. The DfE have estimated that in Dorset there will be at least 3030 eligible families and there is therefore now a statutory duty on the LA to ensure sufficient childcare places to enable parents to take up this increased entitlement. In December 2017 the DfE contacted Dorset to ask if we would be interested in participating in an early roll out programme of offering the extended entitlement to all eligible families within Dorset from the start of the summer term in April 201. This was ahead of the national implementation of the 30 hours free childcare from September 2017. Dorset agreed to become an early roll out authority and a public announcement was made by both DfE and Dorset on 27th January 2017. Since this decision, work has progressed rapidly to enable parents to apply for the extended free childcare offer by expressing an interest on the Dorset for You website and then following a link emailed to them by HMRC to complete the full on-line application on the HMRC website. Dorset is the only LA operating this electronic application process. This has given HMRC the chance to test their application process in advance of the national rollout of applications for the autumn term which went live on in April 2017. Parents are provided with an eligibility code when they apply on the HMRC website and Dorset has developed an in-house eligibility checker which enables providers to check the validity of this eligibility code when parents request a place claiming more than 15 hours of free childcare. By the end of May 2017, there had been more than 3,900 expressions of interest and of these over 1800 have been given an eligibility code and over 1500 had that code checked by our providers and were in a free childcare place for more than 15 free hours during the summer term.

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Analysis of Providers offering 30 hours funded places

Provider Type Number Registered to deliver funding

Delivering 30 hours funded places Claiming in

Summer term 2017 No. %

Pre-schools 126 110 87% 105

Day Nurseries 71 67 94% 63

Childminders 173 129 75% 94

After School Providers 1 1 100% 1

Total 371 307 82% 263

Source: Dorset FIS Synergy Database Spring 2017

4. Summary In summary, this assessment has identified no significant gaps in childcare provision in Dorset. There has been a small decrease in the overall numbers of childcare providers but an increase in the an overall numbers delivering the free early education offer; the numbers eligible for the free entitlement and an increase in the quality of provision all increasing parent choice. The report identifies the need to continue to increase take up of the 2 year old free early learning and childcare offer and the Early Years Pupil Premium in addition to continuing to develop the market to enable the successful expansion of the increased 30 hours funding entitlement from September 2017. Where specific gaps have been identified they are addressed in the following action plan. This includes plans to take action to ensure the continuation of a secure and high quality childcare market in Dorset.

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5. Childcare Sufficiency Action Plan 2017

Priority Area Action Responsibility Resource Timescale Review / Outcome

5.1 Educational attainment. Increase take up of the EYPP for eligible 3 and 4 year olds and ensure quality intervention by providers.

Maureen Whitfield Steve Webberley

Mar 2018

Ensure full take up of 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

Improve data on take up of specific age groups and in specific areas.

Analysis of those not taking up their free entitlement.

5.2 To increase the quality of provision to ensure children can attend provision which is at least “Good”.

Increase the numbers of providers achieving a good or outstanding outcome at first inspections.

Maureen Whitfield Mar 2018

Increase Good and Outstanding provision.

Visit every active provider at least once per year and complete a visit report and co-produce Continuous Improvement Plans as needed.

5.3 To continue to focus on inclusive childcare and demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity across our service.

Continue to work with the Dorset Parent Carer Council in developing and monitoring services and participating in joint service design.

Maureen Whitfield Mar 2018 Team support providers and can advise on changes.

Enable children, young people and parents to participate in the design of services.

Improve the Early Years & Childcare Local Offer.

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Priority Area Action Responsibility Resource Timescale Review / Outcome

5.4 To ensure there are sufficient childcare places for 2 year olds rated as being Good or above by Ofsted to meet the increased demand.

Identify areas where there is a need to create additional places by comparing number of good quality places available to the numbers of disadvantaged 2 year olds.

Steve Webberley Maureen Whitfield

Mar 2018 Childcare sufficiency actions are fully met.

5.5 To continue the work on ensuring the successful roll out of 30 hours free entitlement offer from September 2017.

Continue to work with providers to address concerns around access and sustainability to ensure sufficient places are available to parents for them to access their 30 hours entitlement.

Steve Webberley Mar 2018 Parents are able to access their 30 hours entitlement.

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