Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of early education and childcare services and children’s centre services in the borough of Reigate & Banstead.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Phil Osborne, Early Years and Childcare Service Manager

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

Members were informed that the quality and availability of Early Years provision in Reigate and Banstead was in general very good. However, the service would like to do more work with disadvantaged families in the borough.  Members requested that more focused support is provided for vulnerable families.

The level of qualifications for group leaders are excellent at 87% at level 3 and above and are good for other paid staff at 49%.  Members stated that they would like to see a higher percentage of staff gaining a Level 3 or above qualification.

Members discussed supporting organisations with identifying children with special needs which would assist with buying in additional staffing.  Members noted that 20% of children are not achieving and queried the reasons for this and stated that they wished to see the gap lowered.

Members noted that work is being undertaken on a project to provide better information services for families moving into the area. Early Years are also working with services for Young People to gain more information about young parents and their needs.

Members were informed that the service is looking to expand places for 2 year olds in the boroughs and districts in Surrey. The Chairman requested that the Committee be kept updated on developments for the Early Years Service in the borough.

NOTED the report.