Archived decisions

Contact: John Wilkinson, Assistant County Education Officer Lifelong Learning 01962 846460

Carolyn Poulter, Acting Head of Corporate Unit, Early Education and Childcare Unit 01962 845216

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought: To recommend to the County Council that the Early Years Development and Childcare Implementation Plan 2002-2003 be approved.

2 Reason

2.1 In February 2001, the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, in conjunction with Hampshire County Council, submitted to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) an Early Years Development and Childcare Strategic Plan for 2001-2004 and an Implementation Plan for 2001-2002. This was approved by the DfES by 1 April 2001, resulting in the allocation of £2.2m Childcare Grant, the confirmation of £5.7m grant for three year olds early education and the allocation of other diverse grants relating to the Plan amounting to around £1.6m.

2.2 Whilst the Strategic Plan underpins the work of the Partnership, each year a new Implementation Plan has to be submitted to the DfES by 1 February 2002 for Ministerial approval, in order for the indicative funding for 2002-2003 to be released.

2.3 The Implementation Plan 2002-2003 was subject to the approval of the Partnership at its quarterly meeting on 18 January 2002. It now requires the approval of the County Council prior to being sent to the DfES for 1 February.

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - not applicable.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 The Implementation Plan 2002-2003 needs to be with the DfES by 1 February 2002 if we are to receive the indicative grant aid by 1 April 2002. The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership has been fully involved in the construction of the Plan and gave approval to it at the quarterly meeting on 18 January 2002.

Approved by Date of decision

Councillor D Allen

Note for draft

The Plan is currently being finalised ready for distribution to Partnership Members on 11 January. Copies will go to the Executive Member for Education and to other key County Councillors at this time. Any alterations made at the Partnership meeting on 18 January will be tabled for the Executive Member for Education at his decision meeting on 23 January 2002