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ITEM EX7

EXECUTIVE - 15 OCTOBER 2002

NEW EARLY YEARS UNITS: CHOLSEY PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KIDMORE END C.E. (AIDED) PRIMARY SCHOOL.

Report by Acting Chief Education Officer

Background

  1. The Executive is asked to consider two applications to open new Early Years Units. The proposals are also being considered by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) on 17 October who are required to make a recommendation to the County Council. However, in order to open in January 2003, Cholsey Primary School requires approval before half term and the Executive is therefore asked to approve that scheme subject to any comments from the EYDCP.

    2. Cholsey Primary School

  2. The proposal is to open an Early Years Unit from January 2003 catering for up to 40 reception year children. The main purpose of creating the unit is to provide equality of access to early years education opportunities within the school, and to raise standards and provide high quality education and continuity for children in the foundation stage.

    3. Premises and Quality Issues

  3. Premises and quality assessment reports indicate that the proposal meets the space requirements and that the capacity of the school will be sufficient to accommodate predicted numbers.

    4. Consultation

  4. The School has formally consulted all schools in the local schools’ partnership. St Nicholas School anticipates that the opening of the unit might have a very slight impact on their numbers. The School has also consulted with voluntary pre-schools and private nurseries in the area and the LEA has received copies of replies from 4 of them. None anticipate that this proposal will impact significantly on their provision. There has been good liaison with Cholsey Pre-school, and there are plans to develop a closer working partnership - possibly to include re-locating the pre-school onto the school site.

    5. Recommendations of the South Divisional Liaison Panel and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership

  5. On 19 September the South Divisional Liaison Panel supported the application its unanimous support. The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership will consider the proposal on 17 October.

    6. Kidmore End C.E. (Aided) Primary School

  6. The proposal is to open an Early Years Unit from September 2003 catering for up to 30 reception year children. The main purpose of creating the unit is to provide equality of access to early years education opportunities within the school, and to raise standards and provide high quality education and continuity for children in the foundation stage and transition to Key Stage 1.

    7. Premises and Quality Issues

  7. Premises and quality assessment reports indicate that the proposal meets the internal space requirements and that the capacity of the school will be sufficient to accommodate predicted numbers. However the planned external area indicates only 190 sq. metres, whereas 270 sq metres would be the minimum requirement to meet Oxfordshire County Council standards. There are plans in place to increase the outdoor learning area available to meet the required standards

    8. Consultation

  8. The School has formally consulted all schools in the local schools’ partnership and with voluntary pre-schools and private nurseries in the area. The LEA has received only one response, which raised no objections. There has been good liaison with Kidmore End Pre-school, and there are plans to develop a closer working partnership to include the provision of "wrap around" childcare at the pre-school.

    9. Recommendations of the South Divisional Liaison Panel

  9. On 19 September the South Divisional Liaison Panel supported the application subject to further details being provided to the satisfaction of the EYDCP, on how plans to increase the outside area to meet the minimum space requirements would be realised. The EYDCP will consider the proposal on 17 October.

RECOMMENDATIONS

10. The Executive is RECOMMENDED subject to any comments from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership Meeting, to approve the proposals for new Early Years Units at Cholsey Primary School from January 2003 and Kidmore End C.E. (aided) Primary School from September 2003.

ROY SMITH
Acting Chief Education Officer

Background papers: Early Years Unit proposal and consultation papers for specific proposals referred to in this report (copy in Members’ Resource Centre)

Contact officer: Annie Davy, Head of Early Years and Childcare Tel: (01865) 815493

October 2002

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