Return to Agenda

Return to BV9b

ITEM BV9(b) - ANNEX

BEST VALUE COMMITTEE – 11 SEPTEMBER 2002

BEST VALUE REVIEW OF EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE – UPDATE REPORT

1. The review of the early years and childcare service was completed in February 2001. It contained two main elements: the integration of the support provided by education and social services, and the implementation of the Foundation Stage for learning. The review was both ambitious and timely and its aims were clear and challenging. As a result of the review, savings were identified and budgets were revised. Membership of the core review team included education and social services staff, elected members and stakeholders from outside the authority. The review was based on good research that challenged the merits of existing provision and explored advantages to be gained from developing high quality early years provision within the local network of schools.
2. Traditionally, provision for early years and childcare relied very heavily on independent and voluntary providers. There was a considerable level of expertise, but providers were unable to call upon advice from the authority to improve their quality. Children had access to good pre-schooling in some parts of the county but in others, especially in rural and some socially deprived areas, these options were more limited. The authority's slow response to national developments/initiatives aimed at equalising opportunities for all parents exacerbated the situation. Oxfordshire had lagged behind similar authorities many of whom had partially addressed this issue by lowering the age at which children could attend school and reducing the number of entry points into reception classes. Headteachers were frustrated by the authority's slow response to the admission of children into primary schools before their fifth birthday and to ensuring high quality provision for the Foundation Stage.
3. In line with government policy to create a universal entitlement to early years education, the early years and childcare service now supports all early education providers in the county. The review was timely and effective and the service has improved as a result. The good improvement plan has led to some strong, challenging debate and good evidence gathering about performance in comparison to national and local data. It has sharpened the response to national initiatives and has encouraged education and social services to share a common agenda with schools to improve the Foundation Stage of learning.
4. Good progress has been made on implementing the first part of the improvement plan. An early education strategic planning group has been formed to develop consultation proposals on the second part of the plan towards implementing the foundation stage of learning. The group consists of a range of interested stakeholders, including representation from primary schools. Documents have been well prepared for consultation; these include a comprehensive discussion paper for the main providers, a summary document for a wider audience and a questionnaire for parents. The outcomes are to be reported to the executive committee in Spring 2002. Consultation has been wide-ranging and very thorough. Members are well briefed on progress.
5. This is a good service that has responded well to the findings of the review. With further high levels of consultation taking place over the coming months, as well as positive support for the service from stakeholders, prospects for improvement are promising.

• future planning should be informed by the fullest consideration of local and national advice, extensive use of consultation and reference to all available statistical, including benchmark, data.

Ofsted

February 2002

Return to TOP