Contact: Tracey Sanders, Tel: 01962 813872, e-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1. That the Executive Member for Children's Services approves the actions as set out in Section 4 of the report, which are being taken by the Early Education and Childcare Unit (EECU) in response to new duties placed upon local authorities by the Childcare Act (2006).

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by endorsing a programme of support which will enhance the safeguarding of children.

"Maximising well-being" - by endorsing a programme of support that promotes children's well-being.

"Enhancing our quality of place" - through endorsing a programme of support that will lead to increased high quality early years education and childcare provision in Hampshire.

2.2 The decision supports the following aims of the Children Act:

"Being healthy" - The actions detailed within this report will enable providers of early years education and childcare to promote healthy eating and exercise as part of high quality provision.

"Staying safe" - The actions detailed within this report will enable providers of early years education and childcare to follow procedures to safeguard children.

"Enjoying and achieving" - The actions detailed within this report will enable providers of early years education and childcare to offer high quality early years education and childcare where children are able to enjoy and achieve.

"Making a positive contribution" - The actions detailed within this report will enable providers of early years education and childcare to promote children's social and emotional development and will help providers include children experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in early years education and childcare.

"Maximise Economic well-being" - The actions detailed within this report enable providers of early years education and childcare to ensure that early years education and childcare professionals are appropriately qualified and supported through an extensive continuous professional development programme, therefore, contributing to the development of the workforce in Hampshire.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 To continue offering the same support to providers as 2006/07. The Local Authority would not fully meet its statutory duties under the Childcare Act.

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.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 N/A.

Approved by: Date:

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

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)