Contact: Tracey Sanders, 01962 813887, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children's Services approves:

· The single tender process and criteria for leading the co-ordination of services through individual children's centres according to criteria listed in this report.

· The single tender process and criteria for providing childcare in full core offer children's centres where there is only one childcare provider who meets the criteria listed in this report.

· The process for establishing the `Register of Approved Providers' for providing childcare in full core offer children's centres.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - children's centres will have clear safeguarding processes in place and will also promote safety of children through its work with parents.

"Maximising well-being" - children's centres make provision to support the personal, social and emotional development of children (0-5 years) and also provide emotional support opportunities for parents

"Enhancing our quality of place" - children's centres provide integrated services delivered within local communities.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act 2004:

Stay Healthy Children's centres will provide a vehicle for health initiatives such as cessation of smoking, health eating, diet advice, ante-natal and post-natal support for parents.

Be Safe Children's centres will provide parent support on child safety issues.

Enjoy and Achieve Childcare delivered through children's centres will enable children to enjoy and achieve. Work with parents through children's centres will also help parents to take an active role in this area.

Make a Positive Contribution Children's centres will promote community well being through a variety of activities/support. In particular, parents will be empowered to be fully involved in the planning and development of services delivered through children's centres.

Achieve Economic Well Being Children's centres will be a vehicle to support low or no income families secure skills and qualifications, which enable them to enter the workforce.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 To follow an open tender process for partners to deliver the coordination role within children's centres. This may delay coordination roles being fulfilled in good time as centres are being developed or well as lose the most appropriate locations and key delivery partners.

3.2 To follow an open tender process for the childcare element of the children centres. This might lead to duplication of provision and/or Hampshire local providers ceasing business.

3.3 For Hampshire County Council to directly provide childcare within children's centres. This would be in conflict with both the Childcare Act 2004, and the current approach of partnership working for the provision of childcare in Hampshire.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services