Agenda item

To consider the report from the Head of Democratic Services which provides an update following the decisions taken by Executive Board in October 2024 as part of the Little Owls Nurseries Review. This item follows consideration of this issue at a Call In meeting held on 9 July 2024.

The Board considered the report from the Head of Democratic Services which provided an update following the decisions taken by Executive Board in October 2024 as part of the Little Owls Nurseries Review.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Children and Families

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Resources, Transformation & Partnerships

·  Vicky Fuggles, Head of Early Help Services

·  Kev Shillitto, Legal Officer – Section Head

The Executive Member for Children and Families introduced the report highlighting that it provides the Board with an update on the October Executive Board decision on the progress made on the Little Owls Nurseries Review. Key elements of the approach being taken are: an update on the market sounding exercise which could see four (of the twelve) settings taken over by nearby schools, ongoing consultation and engagement with parents, carers and families, a focus on high quality future provision with an appropriate level of fees and a focus on being able to cater for vulnerable children if this is not met then the default position would be for the Council to continue to deliver provision at the setting. It was noted that the Council will retain nine nurseries that are all rated as good or outstanding which is more than comparator authorities and in retaining these nurseries Leeds is an outlier and highlights the commitment made by the authority to early intervention and delivering the best start to children in the city.

In response to comments and questions from board members the following points were covered:

·  The Chair asked about fees when an alternative provider takes over the provision and whether these fees will be higher and more challenging for families to afford. In response the Board were informed that at this stage it is unknown as to whether fees will be higher when an alternative provider takes over. Based on the market sounding exercise there is a range of potential fees between £40 and £66 per session. At this stage though it is too early to know what the charging will be once a new provider takes over the setting.

·  Members asked about feedback from parents and careers following the withdrawal of services at four settings in the Summer months and it was noted that many of them were able to obtain a place at their first preference. In response the Board heard that parental feedback had been positive both in terms of the provision offered at the nurseries and the move with the majority of families being able to move with their key worker also moving and to their first preference. It was also noted that the service worked closely with each family to ensure they were supported during the move.

·  Responding to a question on training and support to staff at any new providers the board were assured that analysis of this will be part of the process in terms of assessing the expression of interest in taking on the provision. It was also noted that many existing staff will transfer to the new providers and therefore this will offer continuity in terms of the relationships that have already been developed with children, parents and carers.

·  On Trade Union liaison the board were informed that the Trade Unions are kept informed of developments and are met with regularly to update them on progress and to ensure that the authority is doing the very best for the staff involved and that everyone is kept informed of developments.

·  The Board heard about the overall strategy through the Children and Young People’s Plan to ensure that children get the best start in Leeds. There is an early years improvement model which is driven by consultant teachers and there is also an Early Years network which meets regularly and includes all sectors. The early years gateway also provides curriculum support to increase the quality of provision across Leeds.

·  Members sought an update on childcare fees in the city and whether it is possible to get a better rate than £40 per day for nursery provision in Leeds. It was noted that this was asked for at a previous meeting and that the information was still required. This will be provided to members as quickly as possible through the scrutiny advisor.

·  A member asked about possible impacts of the review on more disadvantaged areas of the city in terms of potential increased costs. The member was informed that ensuring that disadvantaged areas with vulnerable children will be a priority in terms of getting the process right and ensuring that working parents and carers are accessing the enhanced free childcare offer. In addition, the settings will be assessed on a case by case basis with SEND and deprivation factors key elements of the planned work.

·  The Director added that the review or nursery provision is driven by budgetary pressure and the need to make savings and be financially sustainable. In 2022/23 nurseries overspent by approaching £2m in 2023/24 it was £840K which highlights the efficiencies made but there is still a need to make savings to meet the financial challenge. It was noted that no one wants to take these difficult decisions, but the budgetary pressure has left no other options.

·  In response to a question on the market sounding exercise members were informed that this was an open process to determine what interest there was in the settings in the market. This revealed that there was significant interest from a variety of backgrounds including third, education and private sectors. The next stage will be formal with tighter questions and more detail expected on fees, workforce development and meeting the needs of those with additional needs. Parents and carers will also play a part with their priorities built into the process and potentially some involvement or influence over the provider that is chosen, albeit that final decision will rest with council officers.

·  In terms pf partnership working the Board were informed that this element of the process will ensure that alternative providers are experienced or able to work in partnership to deliver services as this is a key element of early years provision.

Resolved - The Board noted and commented on the report and the appendices on the Little Owls Nurseries Review.

(Proposed by Cllr Edwards, seconded by Cllr Thomson and supported unanimously)