Issue - meetings

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to provide an update on sufficiency in early years

due to the impact of COVID 19 including the latest information about sufficiency across the city and any long term impact from the pandemic that may continue to affect providers.

The report was introduced by Mindy Butler, Early Years and Childcare Manager.  She explained that during the pandemic there were a large number of settings that were over £20k down on their income from the previous year due to a lack of children in the settings.  Since the pandemic started four nurseries had closed and four childminders had resigned their posts. Two nurseries had opened during this time and there had been a lot of enquiries from people regarding becoming a childminder which was encouraging.

Councillors expressed regret that a number of providers had closed and noted there was a particular gap in the Baffins locality.  Mindy said they had been trying to find additional provision in Baffins for a long time and they would be continuing to find some more provision in this area of the city.

Councillors wished to thank Mindy and her team for all their professionalism shown throughout the pandemic and also thanked the providers as it had been a very difficult time.  Providers had shown such diligence and professionalism and were an asset to the city.  

The Cabinet Member noted the report.