Item 12 - Early Learning and Childcare Update
West Dunbartonshire Council · 28 May 2025
Back to Educational Services Committee — 28 May 2025 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Education Officer Educational Services Committee: Wednesday 28 May 2025 _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Early Learning and Childcare Update 1. Purpose 1.1 This report provides progress made to provide high quality Early Learning and Childcare in West Dunbartonshire Council. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Committee notes: (i) progress to deliver high quality Early Learning and Childcare. 3. Background 3.1 Early Learning and Childcare Within Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) we now deliver, across all our settings, up to 1140 hours to eligible 2 year olds, and children aged from 3 to those not yet attending primary school. Places for children under the age of 2 are available in our partner settings for working families and for eligible children, and, in our council settings for vulnerable and eligible children. Overall children are very well supported, provided with exciting learning opportunities, and are nurtured by well trained staff. 3.2 Training There continues to be a wide range of training available to all our ELC providers through our Professional Learning Framework and our framework for this session aims to support the actions identified in our delivery plan, staff development needs and to support all children. 4. Main Issues 4.1 Inspection Update Our services are regulated by the Care Inspectorate and as a result are subject to inspection by them. Our settings that are registered for 3 year olds and above are also subject to inspection from Education Scotland. Of recent we have been pleased to note some good and very good gradings for some of our settings. Feedback from inspections is always shared with all ELC settings to support them in their improvement journey. ITEM 12
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4.2 Deferral Information Between session 20/21 and 25/26, there has been a 64.3% increase in deferrals. Actual numbers are listed below. We have the capacity to accommodate this increase in deferment, alongside other eligible children, within our existing provision. Year Total No of school deferrals accessing another year of ELCC No of Jan – Feb school deferrals accessing another year of ELCC No of Aug – Dec school deferrals accessing another year of ELCC 2020 - 2021 84 60 24 2021 - 2022 84 60 24 2022 - 2023 92 55 37 2023 - 2024 126 81 45 2024 - 2025 156 94 62 2025 - 2026 138 59 79 4.3 Children’s Progress Attendance continues to be robustly monitored on a monthly basis within our early years settings and training to staff has been provided to develop a more consistent approach. The average rolling attendance across West Dunbartonshire Council settings this session to date is 86.98%. We will continue to work on the importance of good attendance to ensure the best outcomes for children. 4.4 Assessment Data Assessment data gathered in March 2025 shows that children continue to make good progress in literacy and numeracy outcome measures. Percentage of Children Achieving Literacy Benchmark (Concepts of Print) – March 2025 & December 2024 29% 50% 21% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Mar-25 Concepts of Print - March 2025 11% 50% 39% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Dec-24 Concepts of Print - December 2024
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Through the teaching of concepts of print children develop their early understanding of reading and the written word. March 2025 data compared against the data we have from December 2024 shows an increase in children attaining the benchmark by 18%. Those children in the green section have already achieved this early level and we would anticipate that the children who are in the amber section are on track to achieve the early level by the end of Primary 1. In all other areas that we measure attainment in literacy, excluding 1 area, current progress is either equal to or better than the progress made at this time last year. Percentage of Children Achieving Numeracy Benchmark (Number and number processes) – March 2025 & December 2024 Through the teaching of number and number processes children develop their early understanding of number and how numbers are constructed. March 2025 data compared against the data we have from December 2024 shows an increase in children attaining the benchmark by 10%. Those children in the green section have already achieved this early level and we would anticipate that the children who are in the amber section are on track to achieve the early level by the end of Primary 1. In all other areas that we measure attainment in numeracy, all areas show progress equal to, or better than, the progress made at this time last year. 5. People Implications 5.1 Support is provided for Early Learning and Childcare staff teams and leaders to enable effective delivery of the high quality ELC and the expectations of the statutory offer of 1140 hours for eligible 2 year olds and 3 year olds to pre school aged children. 15% 70% 15% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Mar-25 Number and Number Processes - March 2025 5% 67% 28% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Dec-24 Number and Number Processes - December 2024
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5.2 To date, we have supported 25 Modern Apprentices. 17 have completed their training, achieving a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 3 within our Early Learning and Childcare settings and have been supported into employment with the council. 3 Modern Apprentices are working towards their qualification at present, with 3 more due to commence shortly. Additionally, since 2022 we have supported 23 career changers, 18 have completed their qualification and 5 are currently participating in working towards achieving their qualification. We will continue to promote this career path and route to qualification. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications Financial Year Revenue (£m) Capital (£m) 2021/22 9.723 5.880 2022/23 9.485 0.794 2023/24 9.742 0.287 2024/25 9.725 0 2025/26 0 0 Please note for 2025-26 - Under the terms of the Verity House Agreement, the Budget removes ringfencing of early years funding. ELC expansion funding which was previously ringfenced within the Specific Revenue Grant (SRG) is now baselined. The full ELC quantum is therefore now included within the General Revenue Grant (GRG). 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The Key Risks: • Maintaining high quality Early Learning and Childcare at all funded providers to ensure that they meet the National Standard Criteria. • Failure to deliver 1140 hours curriculum by confident, well trained Early Learning and Childcare staff teams. • Evaluations of good for environment by Care Inspectorate are at risk if Early Learning and Childcare building assets are not maintained. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment 8.1 There was no requirement to undertake another Equalities Impact Assessment for the purposes of this report as it is providing an update for Committee.
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9. Consultation 9.1 Regular consultation with stakeholders including parents and carers, Early Learning and Childcare staff, Unions, Council partners in the project and partner Early Learning and Childcare providers continues through the various Council fora and regular meetings. 9.2 Legal Services and the Section 95 Officer have been consulted in relation to the content of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report reflects the Council’s aspiration to have resilient and thriving communities, a strong and flourishing economy and a council that is inclusive and adaptive. These are some of the strategic priorities for 2022-2027. Laura Mason Chief Education Officer 9 May 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Alison Bowers, Senior Education Officer, Education, Learning and Attainment Telephone No: 07813 534420 Email: alison.bowers@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Background Papers: none Wards Affected: All
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