1140 Hours Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Programme Update
North Lanarkshire Council · 23 May 2023
Back to Education, Children and Families Committee — 23 May 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Education Children & Families Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref GMcL/JOH Date 23/05/23 1140 Early Learning & Childcare Expansion Programme Update From Gerard McLaughlin, Chief Officer (Education - North) E-mail mclaughling@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01236 812269 Executive Summary The 1140 Hours Expansion programme for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) was a national programme developed in a unique way, in response to specific local circumstances. This report provides Committee with an updated position on the 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) expansion programme within North Lanarkshire. It reinforces previous reports which have already been approved by Committee and is based on significant consultation with stakeholders. In addition, it supports The Plan for North Lanarkshire. The report focuses on the capital programme, workforce, and progress in relation to quality. In addition, it provides a financial update as of period 12. Recommendations It is recommended that the Education, Children and Families Committee: (1) Endorse the 1140 project update. (2) Endorse the position regarding Heathery Park Family Learning Centre. (3) Endorse the current position in relation to the budget setting progress and the impact on the ELC. (4) Endorse the Negotiated Tender Process for the delivery of ELC. (5) Endorse the position in regards to the review of the Sustanable Rate for Partner Providers from August 2023. (6) Endorse the recommendation to change the start date for 3 year-olds to the beginning of the term after the child’s 3rd birthday. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority All priorities Ambition statement (7) Enhance collaborative working to maximise support and ensure all our children and young people are included, supported, and safe
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1. Background 1.1 North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) achieved full delivery of 1140 hours by 30 September 2020, prior to it being legislative from August 2021. 1.2 The ELC team continues to progress with plans to ensure children and families fully access the benefits of 1140 hours. 2. Report 2.1 Infrastructure Projects 2.1.1 Table 1 provides an update regarding the outstanding infrastructure projects. Table 1 Site Start Date Completion Date Extensions / Adaptations Craigneuk FLC February 2023 May 2023 Heatherypark FLC April 2022 TBC 2.1.2 The outdoor adaptations and roof works at Craigneuk Family Learning Centre have now been completed however, the roof works have impacted on the internal ceiling, which now requires to be repaired. In addition, there are further delays with the supply of materials. It is now anticipated that all works will be complete by mid-May. 2.1.3 Work continues within Heatherypark FLC and is being closely monitored by A&PS. Regular meetings are taking place with the contractors to enure progress continues to be made. 2.1.4 The Head of Centre and ELC practitioners have been appointed. Plans are in place to fully resource and set up Heatherypark FLC as soon as an opening date is confirmed. 2.1.5 The service is delighted to celebrate the opening of Newmains Family Learning Centre, which is part of the Newmains/St Brigid’s campus. The new purpose-built facility is state of the art and the staff, children, and families within the Newmains community are thoroughly enjoying and benefiting from the space and resources the learning environment offers. 2.2 Workforce 2.2.1 Committee will recall NLC employed 536 additional employees to support the implementation of 1140 hours ELC. Just over 320 positions were temporary (Support Workers & Keyworkers) and since November 2022 a recruitment process has been progressed to secure permanency for these positions. There was recognition that due to the large volume of these positions there was the potential to impact significantly on the Council’s recruitment team if standard methods were used. As a result, there was discussion with the Human Resource Business Partnership Manager, Human Resource Business Partner Team, and Employment Service Centre. It was agreed to implement a modified process to expedite the exercise.
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2.2.2 A series of briefing meetings was held to disseminate information via Heads and detailed email instructions were issued along with Process Maps and Frequently Asked Questions. Trade Unions were fully involved in agreeing the process and have been updated periodically. The modified process has three stages: • Stage 1 – Professional dialogue took place for like for like vacancies in current establishment for employees with qualifying service at 4/11/22. • Stage 2 - Professional dialogue took place for like for like vacancies in current establishment for employees with qualifying service at 28/6/23. • Stage 3 – Residual vacancies recruited by formal internal exercise via standard method. 2.2.3 Stage 1 and stage 2 are complete, which has resulted in the recruitment of 145 permanent posts. Stage 3 - recruitment for the remaining 174 part-time/full-time posts commenced week beginning 10th April 2023. 2.2.4 It is anticipated that the exercise will be completed by June 2023. Further updates will be presented to future committees. Budget Setting Process 2023/24 2.2.5 As part of the 3-year budget setting process it was agreed by the Council to review the Early Learning & Childcare staffing structures and align employee resource to the staffing model which was approved in 2019. 2.2.6 A project plan has been developed to ensure that all HR/legal requirements are met in addressing the realignment of the ELC staffing structures. This will ensure that all communications, consultations, and risks are managed and enacted at the appropriate time with the relevant stakeholders. 2.3 Quality Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Training Calendar 2.3.1 A full catalogue of training for ELC Practitioners at all levels was established for August 2022 – June 2023. The training sessions offered were in response to need derived from previous training evaluation forms, scrutiny visits carried out by the Quality Team, Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland. Training courses are inclusive of both Council and Partner Providers and sessions are added throughout the year in response to need. 2.3.2 To date 1,425 practitioners have attended one or more of the training sessions offered within the ELC training calendar. The impact of practitioner skills and knowledge gained is evident in the published Care Inspections from January 2023 - April 2023, where almost all settings have achieved good or above in Quality Indicator 1.3 - Play and Learning. In addition, 49 senior leaders are currently undertaking the ELC Leadership Programme 2022-2023. A full evaluation of the impact of training and development will be undertaken in July 2023 to review the impact in relation to improving outcomes for children and families. This evaluation will assist to inform next steps for the academic session 2023/2024. Further updates will be provided to future committees. 2.3.3 All training sessions for session 2022-2023 will continue to be a hybrid model of face- to-face and virtual sessions.
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Quality Assurance 2.3.4 The National Standard sets out what children and families should expect from their early learning and childcare experience, regardless of where they access their child’s funded hours. Scottish Government have outlined that children and families should expect quality services with evaluations that rate good (4) or above. To support continuous improvement the following activities and actions are undertaken to support establishments to meet the national standards. 2.3.5 The Quality Team carry out support visits to work alongside settings to evaluate and monitor performance, to highlight good practice and provide support and challenge to make improvements. 2.3.6 Formal inspections / scrutiny is also a key aspect of the quality framework within ELC. Education Scotland completes announced inspections using a variety of models. This includes a full model inspection which covers four Quality Indicators (QI), and a short model inspection which covers two QI. Some inspections are undertaken by both the Care Inspectorate and Education. 2.3.7 In addition, Care Inspectorate carry out unannounced inspections of both nursery settings and childminders. Reference is made to the newly published quality framework “A quality framework for day care of children, childminding and school-aged childcare” (February 2022). The framework supports settings to evaluate their own performance in addition to providing an independent assurance for care inspectors. 2.3.8 As guarantors of quality, it is essential all services are fully supported in meeting the National Standard level 4. Currently 96% of ELC settings are graded at level 4 and above. Appendix 1 provides an overview of the standards of quality across ELC as of April 2023. Head of Centre Induction Programme 2.3.9 Taking cognisance of the increasing number of new Heads of Centre within the service, a full and robust Induction programme was rolled out to new and existing Heads between January 2023 and March 2023. The programme included an induction/review of the operational requirements essential for effective service delivery linked directly to education and families’ policies and practice. The programme was supported by officers from Human Resource, Employee Relations, and Finance. 2.3.10 The participants strongly agreed that the induction programme provided the necessary foundation and information to support them in their role. Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning (BFS EL) Scheme 2.3.11 North Lanarkshire Council Early Learning and Childcare are committed to working across communities to change attitudes and create a positive culture around breastfeeding before any negative attitudes are formed. Links were established with NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Government to achieve the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Gold Award. 2.3.12 The aim of the scheme is to contribute to social and cultural change by promoting an environment where breastfeeding is seen as the normal way to feed infants and young children.
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2.3.13 The objectives are: • To promote an environment where breastfeeding is seen as the normal way to feed infants and young children. • To promote informed infant feeding choices and responsive formula feeding. • To support mothers wishing to breastfeed on our premises. • To adopt a Breastfeeding and Returning to Work policy to assure pregnant and breastfeeding employees that, should they wish to, they will be supported to continue breastfeeding on return to work. • To be aware of local services where breastfeeding families can access support and information and to signpost families to this support if desired. 2.3.14 In order to achieve the Gold Award status for Early Learning and Childcare, 80% of ELC establishments must achieve all set criteria to become an accredited Breastfeeding Friendly setting. This target has been met and exceeded with 85% of our ELC settings accredited with the BFS EL Gold Award. The remaining 15% are continuing to take the final steps in achieving the award. St Patricks Family Learning Centre, Kilsyth - Global Citizenship 2.3.15 Following a visit from the Scottish Children and Young People’s Commissioner to St Patrick’s Family Learning Centre, Kilsyth, the children were asked to contribute to the Draft General Comment No.26, Children’s Rights, and the environment, with a special focus on climate change. The children’s thoughts, feelings, ideas, and voices were captured as part of this process and included in the published document. This was recognised globally as an amazing opportunity and achievement for all involved, particularly for the young children of St Patricks Family Learning Centre. Please refer to Appendix 2 for more detail. 2.4 Early Learning and Childcare Framework 2.4.1 Committee will recall that following the conclusion of the ELC tender process, to establish an ELC Flexible Framework for 2023/2027, 138 providers were identified as being successful. The Framework will commence on 1 August 2023. 2.4.2 While the tender exercise has been completed, regarding identifying successful providers, the process of establishing a sustainable rate is ongoing. Scottish Government have advised that updated guidance and other support tools will be made available, which will aid this process. Clarity is being sought re when this will be available, and engagement will continue with partner providers re setting a sustainable rate. 2.4.3 Committee are advised that due to human error, a current partner provider - Kidstore Nursery, missed the tender process for the 2023/2027 ELC Flexible Framework; it had always been their intention to reapply. 2.4.4 Capacity within the geographical area is limited, with the issue exacerbated due to the changes in legislation for deferred entry, i.e., more children can automatically defer entry to P1. At the planning stage of 1140 hours, this provider was included when assessing capacity across North Lanarkshire. 2.4.5 Approval was sought from the appropriate Chief Officers, and a Negotiated Tender Process was undertaken, in line with Regulation 33 – Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
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2.4.6 Following the required assessment process Kidstore Nursery were successful and have entered into a Bespoke Early Years Agreement for 1 year (01 August 2023 – 31 July 2024). 2.4.7 Kidstore Nursery, along with other providers, will have an opportunity to apply to be part of the Flexible Framework at entry point 2. This will open around September 2023; successful providers will join the framework on 01 August 2024 for a period of 3 years. 2.5 Admissions 2023/2024 2.5.1 Committee are advised that the admission process for session 2023/2024 is ongoing, with the process nearing completion. 2.5.2 The application closing date was 10 March, with 3,147 on time applications received across all settings – local authority and partner providers. 2.5.3 Table 2 provides a comparison with last year (2022/2023) and shows a 12% increase in the total number of new on time applications received. Table 2 Local Authority Partner Nurseries Childminders 2022/2023 2023/2024 2022/2023 2023/2024 2022/2023 2023/2024 Returners 2516 2492 1012 1185 103 72 New Applications 1890 2072 852 974 77 101 Cross Boundary 13 17 52 51 2 6 TOTAL 4419 4581 1916 2210 182 179 2.5.4 The largest percentage increase in applications is to partner nurseries. If applications are successful, this will result in increased external partner provider commission payments going forward. 2.5.5 In line with previous years, it is anticipated that late applications i.e., those submitted after 10 March 2023, will be received. Updated data will be provided to members at the next committee meeting. 2.6 Cross Boundary 2.6.1 Committee will recall that a Cross Boundary Protocol is currently in place for children attending partner provider settings. Cross boundary local authority applications continue to be progressed in line with NLC admission policy. 2.6.2 While applications made to local authority establishments continue to be progressed in line with the admissions policy, applications to partner providers (private/voluntary nurseries and childminders) will be considered at the West Partnership Cross Boundary meeting which will take place in mid-May. This meeting takes place at the latter stage of the process due to those authorities involved operating to differing timescales re their allocation of placements. The meeting allows for approval to be sought from those authorities that applicants reside in.
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2.6.3 The cross boundary costs to 3rd March 2023 (Period 12) were £311k. This figure will increase further as authorities/partners finalise their charges through to financial year end. 2.7 Deferred Entry 2.7.1 Committee will recall that considering the forthcoming changes in legislation – effective from 1 August 2023, it was anticipated that the number of automatic deferrals for session 2023/2024, would increase in comparison to those in session 2022/2023. 2.7.2 The change in legislation sees automatic deferrals being available from the day after the term starts in August until the last day in February. Previously automatic deferrals were available for January and February birthdays only. 2.7.3 Table 3 outlines the increase in automatic deferrals – 88%, following the change in legislation. Overall deferrals – automatic and discretionary, have increased circa 41%. Table 3 2022/2023 2023/2024 Automatic Discretionary Automatic Discretionary Jan – Feb March – Aug Aug – Feb March - Aug 207 125 389 79 Total: 332 Total: 468 2.7.4 Table 4 provides a breakdown of the number of deferred entry placements to P1 across local authority and partner providers. Table 4 Aug -Dec Jan - Feb March - Aug 2023/2024 Local Authority Deferrals 105 175 73 2023/2024 Partner Provider Deferrals 36 64 6 2023/2024 Split Placement Deferral 4 4 0 2023/2024 Not Attending a ELC Setting 0 1 0 2.8 External Partner Provider Commission Payments 2.8.1 Table 5 provides an overview of Partner Provider Commission Payments, from April 2022 to period 12. Table 5 External Commission Payments April to July August to March Total 3-5 Payments 1140 hours £4.572m £8.345m £12.917m Eligible 2 Payments 1140 hours £0.328m £0.534 £0.862m Meal Payments 2-5- year-olds £0.316m £0.624 £0.940m Total £14.719m
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2.9 Healthy Milk & Snack Scheme 2.9.1 Committee will recall that there is a requirement for providers to re-register for the Healthy Milk and Snack Scheme on an annual basis. In doing so this allows them to update the figures re children in their care. 2.9.2 Within the current session – 2022/2023, 79 partner providers have registered: 31 from Partner Nurseries and 48 from Childminders. 2.9.3 The registration process has now re-opened – April 2023, allowing new providers to join the scheme. Further updates will be provided to committee. 2.10 Review of the Sustainable Rate 2023/2024 2.10.1 Under Funding Follows the Child, Councils are required to set an hourly rate that is paid to partners providers in the private and voluntary sectors, including childminders, to deliver the funded entitlement. Councils are also required to review the rate to ensure it is sustainable and reflects national policy priorities, including funding to enable payment of the Scottish Living Wage (SLW) to all childcare workers delivering the funded entitlement. The SLW was increased from £9.90 to £10.90 per hour in September 2022 and there is an expectation from Scottish Government that all partner providers are committed to paying the SLW from May 2023. 2.10.2 Committee will recall in November 2022 a reviewed hourly rate to deliver the funded entitlement in partner providers was agreed and back dated to August 2022. Table 6 provides an overview of the hourly rates for funded entitlement in partner providers since the inception of 1140 hours. Table 6 3–5-year-olds (hourly rate) 2-3-year-olds (hourly rate) 2019-2020 £5.55 £5.80 2020-2021 £5.55 £5.80 2021-2022 £5.55 £5.80 2022-2023 £5.77 £6.03 2.10.3 The service previously reported that an annual review of the hourly rate would take place, albeit this may not result in an increase. This process will involves taking account of national guidance and consistent approaches and methodology implemented across the West Partnership. Further updates will be provided to committee, 2.11 Change to 3 Year Olds Start Date 2.11.1 Start dates, for children taking up their ELC placement, under the 2014 Order, state that all 3-year-olds are eligible for funded early learning and childcare from the beginning of the first term after the child's 3rd birthday. Please refer to the link below for details. Starting and stopping dates for eligibility - Early learning and childcare: statutory guidance - July 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
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2.11.2 Councils can use their discretionary powers under section 1(1C) of the 1980 Act, to provide funded early learning and childcare to 3-year-olds earlier than the statutory start dates. 2.11.3 Currently within NLC 3-year-olds taking up an early learning and childcare placement, can do so the day after their 3rd birthday. This start date falls out with the statutory guidance, allowing children to commence their placement early. 2.11.4 From academic session 2023/2024 the service will continue to offer early access to funded provision; however committee are asked to endorse the change to 3-year-olds start dates from the current position (day after the child’s 3rd birthday) to the beginning of the first term after the child’s 3rd birthday from August 2024. This is to enable the service to accrue potential efficiencies to support the anticipated increase of deferred A further paper will be brought to a future committee with a full breakdown of any efficiencies. 2.11.5 Committee are aware that from August 2023 the statutory entitlement to defer entry to primary 1 has been extended from mid-August to the end of February. This change in legislation ensures all children will continue to have access to two years plus of ELC funded provision. 2.11.6 The service will ensure this information is communicated effectively with parents during the academic session 2023/2024 in preparation for the change from August 2024. In addition, any parent choosing to access their child’s placement earlier than the beginning of the term after their 3rd birthday will have the option to pay for this additionality. 2.11.7 Communications 2.11.8 The service continues to meet regularly with both Care Inspectorate and Trade Unions regarding delivery of ELC provision. Relations continue to be collaborative and positive. 2.11.9 The Corporate Communications team continue to support ELC with all communications to support the delivery of 1140 hours. Update deferred entry information has been posted on the ELC website and communications has been prepared to support the 2023/2024 admissions process. 2.11.10 Childminding week is a National annual event takes place week beginning 8 May 2023. The service has organised a celebration on 10 May 2023 to recognise the support in place for children and families from childminders across NLC (Appendix 03). Further updates will be presented to Committee. 2.12 Financial Update Revenue Budget 2022/23 2.12.1 The gross expenditure budget for ELC in 2022/23 is £61.321m which is partly offset by the ELC Expansion Grant of £34.842m. The projected outturn for 2022/23 as of 3 March 2023 (Period 12) is a net underspend of £0.465m. Capital Budget 2022/23 2.12.2 Since inception, the ELC Expansion (1140 Hours) Capital Programme has spanned several financial years cumulating in new Family Learning Centres and renovations of existing establishments across the authority.
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2.12.3 The Enterprise & Communities 2022/23 capital programme of £157.168m was approved at Policy & Strategy Committee on 17 March 2022. The 2022/23 programme has since been increase by £21.479m relating to carry forwards from 2021/22 (£5.796m) and additional external funding (£15.683m). Included in the approved 2022/23 capital programme, for Enterprise & Communities, is £2.192m regarding ELC Expansion (1140 Hours). 2.12.4 As at Period 12, the Service is projecting an overspend of £0.010m in relation to the associated ELC Expansion (1140 Hours) capital workstreams. In addition, there was £0.537m of budget set aside for Covid The final bill has been agreed as £0.391m. This underspend of £0.146m is included within the current year projection, so if there is any clawback of this budget, then the 1140 capital spend position could alter. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Children have access to funded entitlement of 1140 hours of ELC. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1: ELC Standards of Quality 4.2 Appendix 2: St Patricks Family Learning Centre Global Citizenship 4.3 Appendix 3: Childminding Week Gerard McLaughlin Chief Officer (Education - North)
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The strategy of the service, as approved by the Education Corporate Management Team (November 2017), is to positively target families who live in SIMD areas 1 – 4 to address disadvantage and barriers to success. Consideration has also been given to ensure that there is a mix of services within localities to support accessibility and parental demand. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Finance? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? ELC expenditure for financial year 2022/23 will be contained within the available budget provision. During the preparation of the 2023/24 Early Years budgets the Service will critically review the pertinent issues highlighted in this report to ensure activity can similarly be maintained within the available overall funding envelope. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Support in place from HR to support the ELC recruitment 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Consultations are ongoing with Legal regarding the the position with the ELC procurement framework. 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data?
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Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The paper contains information regarding the delay of the ELC admissions process, which may impact on the level of enquiries the ELC website will receive. A statement has been produced to keep parents/carers up to date. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Delays to the admissions process 2023/2024 could impact on the timeline to secure placements for all eligible 2-5-year-olds by August 2023. This will impact on the statutory 1140 hours entitlement for children and families. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services.
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APPENDIX 1 Care Inspectorate information – April 2023 ELC settings: • 23 Family Learning • 79 Nursery Classes • 41 Partner Nurseries • 121 Childminders The pie charts below outline the percentage of settings who are meeting the national standard and above (level 4,5 &,6) and those who require additional support (level 2 & 3) 22% 44% 33% 1% Family Learning Centres Inspection Outcomes Excellent Very Good Good Adequate 4% 50% 45% 1% Nursery Class Inspection Outcomes Excellent Very Good Good Adequate
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2% 37% 54% 7% Partner Nursery Inspection Outcomes Excellent Very Good Good Adequate 3% 58% 37% 2% Childninder Inspection Outcomes Ecellent Very Good Good Adequate
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The column chart below provides an overview of the percentage of all ELC settings care inspectorate gradings: excellent, very good, good and adequate. 22 44 33 14 50 45 12 37 54 7 3 58 37 2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Excellent Very Good Good Adequate ELC Settings Inspection Outcomes (Total %) Family Learning Centre Nursery Class Partner Nursery Childminders
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APPENDIX 2 St Patricks Family Learning Centre Global Citizenship Following a very successful visit last summer, the children and staff of St Patrick’s family learning centre, along with some Primary 1 children from the neighbouring school, were asked to contribute towards the Draft General Comment No. 26, Children’s Rights, and the Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change Submission, of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) February 2023. During the first visit, the CYPCS team were inspired by the ways in which children in the earliest stages of education had their voices listened to and their views gathered and asked if they could work with them to help contribute towards the General Comment. Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner spent 2 days in St Patrick’s family learning centre with Kevin Browne-MacLeod, policy advisor. They explored how younger children can contribute to children’s rights and the environment through a range of consultation activities as part of General Comment 26. Three joint sessions were planned in the nursery which involved an environmental walk, small group discussion, stories, and STEM activities. Every member of staff in the setting had an opportunity to meet with the Commissioner and his team to discuss the role of CYPCS, impact and links to the UNCRC. They were impressed by the brilliant work that is happening in the family learning centre. Bruce shared this on his Twitter page, and it reached the United Nations in Geneva who have commented on the excellent practice in this setting. This was an opportunity to share some of our fantastic work in ELC and beyond, as we took the opportunity to showcase everything we do in terms of working with families, alleviating issues around poverty and some of the wider achievements in other sectors within the North Lanarkshire Council. Link for further information: https://childrightsenvironment.org/about/#:~:text=The%20Committee%20is%20creating%20a ,do%20to%20uphold%20these%20rights.
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APPENDIX 3 Childminding week 2023 One of the Quality Officer and SCMA worked in partnership to celebration the North Lanarkshire childminders for Childminding week 2023. This was a week-long celebration of Childminding followed by the SCMA conference on Saturday 13 May in the Morning of which all CMs had the opportunity to attend. The event was held at Summerlee Heritage Centre, and there were many planned activities, including operation play outdoors presented by specialist in large loose parts play. The children had excellent opportunities to build, explore and create with lots of different loose parts. Active Schools organised potted sports, ACEs, NHS Lanarkshire (vitamins and Breastfeeding), organised face painting, bookbug sessions, Ziggy from Road Safety, and a treasure hunt.