Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025.

The report outlined how the Local Authority (LA) was meeting its duty to secure sufficient childcare and included information about the supply of and demand for childcare, details on any gaps in provision and an action plan on how they would be addressed.

The Childcare Act 2006 and 2016 and the associated statutory guidance for local authorities on Early Education and Childcare – April 2025, requires Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (the Local Authority) to secure sufficient childcare, as far as was reasonably practicable and within available resources, for working parents, or parents who were studying or training for employment, for children aged 0 – 14 (or up to 18 for disabled children). Local authorities were also required to report annually to elected council members on how they were meeting this duty.

The sufficiency assessment would be placed on the Stockton Information Directory once it had been through the Cabinet process, so it was available for parents / carers, childcare providers, and employers.

With regard to the next steps the Council would continue to assess sufficiency of places to ensure that parents / carers were able to access an early years funded place or a wraparound childcare place.

Work would continue with childcare providers and schools to either expand or create places in areas of where there is high demand.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

For noting only.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

N/A