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ITEM EX11

EXECUTIVE - 13 MAY 2003

PROPOSALS FOR NEW EARLY YEARS UNITS

Report by Director for Learning & Culture

Introduction

  1. The report presents applications to open new Early Years Units at St. Thomas More RC Primary School, Kidlington; Christopher Rawlins School, Adderbury; Blewbury Primary School; Langford Village Primary School, Bicester; Sonning Common Primary School; and Great Rollright CE (Aided) Primary School. Details of the proposals are set out in Annex 1. Copies of background documents, including quality and premises reports for all proposals, and consultation papers relating to the applications, are in the Members’ Resource Centre.

    2. Proposals

  2. The proposals are to enable the schools involved to adopt a single point of admission in September 2003. In doing this they need to demonstrate that they meet the County standards for Early Years Units and all building work will be carried out on a self-financed basis. Encouragingly all of the schemes covered by this report have been worked up in close co-operation with their pre-schools in developing proposals for a seamless funded Foundation Stage within their communities. Before they can formally become recognised as ‘Partnership Units’ (PEYUs) they need to sign the agreed County Partnership Scheme and ensure that there are appropriate lease arrangements in place.

  3. It will be noted from Annex 1 that a small number of private providers have expressed some concern about the possible impact of the proposals on them. The strength of Oxfordshire's mixed economy of provision for children in the Foundation Stage is that it offers parents greater choice for their children to best suits their needs. When providers are able and interested in working together in partnership, this also improves the quality of learning for children through greater continuity and planning for their early education.

  4. From September 2004, all private and voluntary providers will be affected by the admission changes to a single point of entry for 4 year olds. However they offer a wide range of services to families and many are reviewing their services ahead of that date. The secure government commitment to 3 year old funding will assist them in their plans. The small number of schools who expressed concerns over these applications, will themselves be admitting children at an earlier age in a year from now; therefore they are unlikely to suffer a loss of pupils.

  5. On particular issues raised in the consultation responses:

    • Blewbury - Local headteachers have resolved their short term concerns since they were expressed. In fact Blewbury already has 2 other local schools with EYU's so itself has felt somewhat disadvantaged!

    • Great Rollright- There was initially some misunderstanding over the proposed numbers of children. This is now confirmed at 23 which is believed will be quite acceptable.

  1. The relevant Divisional Liaison Panels will consider the respective proposals during the last week in April or the first week of May, and their recommendations will be reported orally to the Executive. The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) will consider all the proposals on 21 May. The EYDCP are required to make a recommendation to the Council. However in order to be able to open in September 2003, the schools require formal approval before half term. The Executive is therefore recommended to give approval subject to comments from the EYDCP.

  2. This is likely to be the last round of applications for Early Years Units to come before the Executive, as the single point of admission arrangements, to be introduced in September 2004, will render approval of individual schemes unnecessary. Early Years Units as they are currently known will then cease to exist.

    3. Financial considerations

  3. Under the current Oxfordshire County Council scheme for Early Years Units, each scheme approved draws down a one off start up allowance of £1500, from a budget designated for this purpose. Under the new partnership development fund approved by the County Council for 2003/04, each pre-school will get an equivalent start up grant on signing of the Partnership Agreement. Revenue funding for 4 year olds now follows individual children and all capital works will be carried out on a self financed basis. Therefore there are no implications for the County Council budget in approving these schemes.

    4. RECOMMENDATION

  4. The Executive is RECOMMENDED:

    1. subject to (b) below, to approve in principle the proposals for new Early Years Units from September 2003 at St. Thomas More RC Primary School, Kidlington; Christopher Rawlins School, Adderbury; Blewbury Primary School, Langford Village Primary School, Bicester; Sonning Common Primary School; and Great Rollright CE (Aided) Primary School;

    2. to authorise the Director for Learning & Culture, in consultation with the Executive Member(s) for Children & Young People and Schools, formally to determine the proposals in the light of the recommendations and other comments of the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

KEITH BARTLEY
Director for Learning & Culture

Background papers:
1. Early Years Unit proposal and consultation papers for specific proposals referred to in this report
2. Oxfordshire County Council Early Years Unit Scheme

Contact officers:
Annie Davy, Head of Early Years and Childcare Tel: 01865 815493
Maggie Smith, Education Officer Early Years 01865 815628
Barbara Slatter, Education Development officer: 01865 815110

May 2003

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