Agenda item

The report of the Director of Children’s Services provides Members with a brief overview of the statutory assessment outcomes at the end of the foundation stage at both a city wide and local level.  It presents the Area Committee with information on the composition of early years providers and local outcomes within the area with the aim of stimulating discussion and greater understanding on the notion of ‘readiness to learn’ as children move into key stage one from their foundation years experience.

The Director of Children’s Services report ‘Readiness for learning and the inequality gap at age 5’ was presented by the Early Years Foundation Stage Improvement Manager. The report provided a brief overview of the statutory assessment outcomes at the end of the foundation stage at both citywide and local level. The report presented information on the composition of early years providers and local outcomes within the area, providing Members with a greater understanding on the notion of ‘readiness to learn’ as children move into key stage one from their foundation years experience.

Members were informed that all early years providers, including schools, must adhere to the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. The framework sets standards for development, learning and care of children from birth to the age of five. There are two headline indicators when measuring performance in the early years: the percentage of children achieving a good level of development and the Department of Education term the ‘inequality gap in achievement’ indicator.

On the good level of development indicator, performance in Leeds is above or in line with all core cities and above or in line with eight out of ten statistical neighbour authorities.

The ‘inequality gap in achievement’ indicator showed Leeds as the lowest ranked authority in the country.

Members raised their concerns with the figures set out in the submitted report particularly in 3.4.3 Ethnicity highlighting children whose first language is not English.

Members were concerned that Leeds was ranked 152 out of 152 local authorities for the ‘inequality gap’ measure. Members were of the view that this issue could not be worked through in isolation, links between health, jobs, and housing and culture were required to ensure that performance improved.

Members of the Area Committee sought clarification on the points system used to calculate the indicators. The Area Committee requested that this issue was brought back to the Committee as an agenda item

The Area Committee also requested that an item in relation to the ‘inequality gap’ measure be brought to a future meeting to look at ways of improving the measure at a local level. The Members also requested that the Executive Member for Children’s Services to be engaged with the West Inner Area Committee on this issue.

RESOLVED- That the Area Committee:

·  Within the context of Priority 4 – support children to be ready for learning – discuss whether local priorities may be required to ensure children are ready for key stage one.

·  Use existing local partnerships to encourage and support collaborative working between schools and non-school settings to ensure children are meeting age related expectations at the end of the EYFS. Such learning communities will provide the opportunity to find local solutions to the readiness to learn issue.

·  Provide opportunities for partners across the foundation years to discuss and agree what ‘readiness for learning’ looks like at a local level. Do partners across health education and others recognise and acknowledge the significant period of growth, development and learning that takes place between the birth of a child and the time they enter school? Ensure they use this as a key driver to improve young children’s development through local priorities.

Cllr. McKenna left the meeting at 18:25 at the end of this item.

Cllrs Lowe and Taggart left the room at 18:30 returning at 18:35.