Early Learn and Childcare Admissions Policy Standard Circular 3a ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 9 March 2023
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 9 March 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 9 March 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Addendum - Standard Circular 3a - Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The existing Standard Circular 3a: Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy and guidance for staff was approved by the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on 27 October 2022. Standard Circular 3a details the Early Year’s Admissions Policy and Guidance on the implementation of the policy. 1.2. This report advises of an addendum to the policy to reflect a change in Scottish Government guidance relating to the eligibility criteria to early learning and childcare for 2-year-olds. _____________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to approve the addendum to Standard Circular 3a: Early Learning and Childcare Admissions Policy which is attached as an appendix one to this report. _________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The current Standard Circular 3a: Early Learning and Childcare policy and guidance for staff was updated and approved by the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board in October 2022. 3.2 The proposed addendum to the policy is required to take account of a Scottish Government change to the criteria for eligible 2-year-olds. Currently funded early learning and childcare is available for 2-year-olds who are care experienced from the point of their 2nd birthday. Eligibility has now changed to include children who have the experience of care from an earlier stage in their
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life. Under the original criteria children aged 2 years who are no longer care experienced at the point they turn 2 years of age would not automatically be entitled to early learning and childcare. The entitlement to early learning and childcare is as specified within the Scottish Government website: https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and- childcare ___________________________________________________________________ 4 Revised Standard Circular 3(a) - Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy and Guidance for Staff 4.1 As outlined in paragraph 3.2, funded early learning and childcare is available for 2-year-olds if they have had the experience of care. 4.2 Given the change to the criteria the amendment to the policy is as follows: Priority 3A relates to eligible two-year-olds who at any time since their 2nd birthday have been looked after by a local council, the subject of a kinship care order, the subject of a parent appointed guardian: - Who have a care experienced parent, or - Whose parents are in receipt of qualifying benefits, as specified within the Scottish Government website This has been amended to “eligible two-year-olds who have been looked after by a local council, the subject of a kinship care order, the subject of a parent appointed guardian: - Who have a care experienced parent, or - Whose parents are in receipt of qualifying benefits, as specified within the Scottish Government website 4.7 The same amendment has been made to priority 5A of the policy. The guidance for staff has also been amended to reflect the policy change as specified above. 4.8 A copy of the full revised Standard Circular 3a, can be accessed via the attached link:..\..\..\Standard Circulars\Current\Early Learning and childcare admissions policy standard circular 3a.docx .___________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial There is no expected financial detriment as a result of this change. 2. HR and Organisational Development None 3. Community/Council Planning
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Our Renfrewshire is thriving - Ensuring the best start in life for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is well - Early intervention will lead to healthier outcomes for children and young people. Our Renfrewshire is safe - Local services will benefit children, young people and members of the community. Building strong, safe and resilient communities - The quality of community life is enhanced by supporting parents, children and young people. Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all - Effective governance arrangements ensure that the organisations receiving funding comply with legislative requirements. Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy - Flexible childcare placements will support parents to access and sustain employment, training or education. 4. Legal None 5. Property/Assets None 6. Information Technology None 7. Equality and Human Rights No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because the service is being extended. If required, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety It is integral to the Council’s aim of securing the health and wellbeing of employees and those affected by its undertakings and without this continued effective focus, there is a risk that will adversely impact on the Council both financially and in terms of service delivery. 9. Procurement None 10. Risk None
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11. Privacy Impact Personal information will only be held as required to deliver the service. This will be done in accordance with data protection legislation. 12. 13. COSLA Policy Position None Climate Risk None List of Background Papers The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. - Standard Circular 3a - Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy, Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, 27 October 2022. The contact officer within the service is Kathleen McDonagh, Education Manager, 07799034553, Kathleen.mcdonagh@renfrewshire.gov.uk KMcD 10/02/2023 Authors: Kathleen McDonagh, Education Manager, 07799034553 kathleen.mcdonagh@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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Appendix One Early Learning and Childcare Admission Policy Priority One – Child protection and children in need (allocate in priority order) (A) Any child considered in need of protection Children on the child protection register or identified through child protection procedures. (B) Request for assistance from Social Work where a child is deemed to be in need Request for assistance from Social Work where either: - The placement would help the child remain within the family environment rather than be looked after by the Local Authority. - The child is currently or has been subject to a statutory order, looked after, under a kinship care order or with a parent appointed guardian. - The placement would support the child’s return to the family. - Children born to parents under 18 years of age who are in full- time education provided within a secondary school or to allow the parents to return to education. Priority Two – Referral for Children and families identified as requiring support (allocate in priority order) (A) Request for assistance from Social Work or health professionals for children with complex or multiple needs. Children who require substantial direct and continuing intervention from at least one other agency out with education and whose additional support needs are putting the child at an educational and social disadvantage, including children born pre-term below 32 weeks. (B) Request for assistance where it has been identified that substantial family support is required. Children and families who have been identified as requiring substantial support through a multi-agency child’s plan meeting. (C) Request for assistance for children and families experiencing acute stress requiring high levels of support. Children and families experiencing acute stress due to the following: Asylum seekers; Refugees; Living in bed and breakfast, transient or who have a pattern of homelessness; Military families; Children of care experienced parents; and Other acute family circumstances. (D) Request for assistance from other professionals for children with less significant additional support needs or where there are concerns about the circumstances of the child, parents, or family. Children who require support because of circumstances which are placing the child, parent, or family at an educational, social or health disadvantage. This includes children who are adversely affected by the disability of any other person in the family or where there is a high level of support required for English as an additional language. The professionals who would request assistance within this priority includes education settings; health agencies; Social Work services; voluntary sector agencies.
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Priority Three: children entitled to early learning and childcare (allocate in priority order) (A) Early learning and childcare entitlement for eligible two-year olds. Eligible two-year olds - includes children: - who have been looked after by a local council, the subject of a kinship care order, the subject of a parent appointed guardian; - who have a care experienced parent; or - whose parents are in receipt of qualifying benefits, as specified within the Scottish Government website - https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early- learning-and-childcare (B) Early learning and childcare entitlement for children aged 3 to starting school. (a) Children born between August (if a child is still 4 years old on the date they are eligible to start school) and February with an entitlement to an additional year. (b) Children transferring from English reception class. (c) Children in their pre-school year residing in Renfrewshire within the admission panel designated area. (d) Children in their ante pre-school year residing in Renfrewshire within the admission panel designated area. (e) Children in their pre-school year residing in Renfrewshire from out with the admission panel designated area. (f) Children in their ante pre-school year residing in Renfrewshire from out with the admission panel designated area. Priority Three – Further priority is given to children whose parents are: (NB allocate in priority order) in receipt of qualifying benefits in line with free school meals and or clothing grants- https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/3338/Free-school-meals-and-clothing-grants Both parents / lone parent is in employment, education, or training. One of two parents are in employment, education, or training. Priority Four – children from birth to 3 years (not entitled to funded early learning and childcare) Children from birth to 3 years residing in Renfrewshire. (wraparound care charges apply for places allocated within this priority) Priority is given to children whose parents are: (NB allocate in priority order) in receipt of qualifying benefits in line with free school meals and or clothing grants- https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/3338/Free-school- meals-and-clothing-grants Both parents / lone parent in employment, education, or training. One of two parents are in employment, education, or training.
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Priority Five : children from birth to starting school residing out with Renfrewshire (allocate in priority order) (A) Early learning and childcare entitlement for eligible two-year olds. Eligible two-year olds - includes children: - who have been looked after by a local council, the subject of a kinship care order, the subject of a parent appointed guardian; - who have a care experienced parent; or - whose parents are in receipt of qualifying benefits, as specified within the Scottish Government website -https://www.mygov.scot/childcare- costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare (B) Early learning and childcare entitlement for children aged 3 to starting school (NB allocate in priority order): Children born between August (if a child is still 4 years old on the date they are eligible to start school) and February with an entitlement to an additional year. Children transferring from English reception class Children in their pre-school year Children in their ante pre-school year. Further priority is given to children whose parents are: (NB allocate in priority order): in receipt of qualifying benefits in line with free school meals and or clothing grants- https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/3338/Free-school-meals- and-clothing-grants Both parents / lone parent in employment, education, or training. One of two parents are in employment, education, or training. (C) Children from birth to 3 years (wraparound care charges may apply for places allocated within this priority) Priority is given to (NB allocate in priority order): Child protection and children in need (in line with priority 1 Children and families identified as requiring support (in line with priority 2) Children from birth to 3 years who are not entitled to funded early learning and childcare (wraparound charges apply). Priority is given to children whose parents are: (NB allocate in priority order): in receipt of qualifying benefits in line with free school meals and or clothing grants- https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/3338/Free-school-meals- and-clothing-grants Both parents / lone parent in employment, education, or training. One of two parents are in employment, education, or training.