Issue - meetings

Childcare Workforce Development Charging Policy

Meeting: 21/06/2012 - Cabinet (Item 33)

33 Childcare Workforce Development Charging Policy pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Minutes:

A report by the Acting Director of Children’s Services detailed information regarding the extensive workforce development training programme which had been available on a termly basis to early years and childcare staff working in the private, voluntary and independent sectors since 1999/2000.  This had ensured access to continuing professional development for the workforce with the intended impact on raising quality for children and young people.

 

Course participants had been paying a flat fee of £6 per course for the majority of training, with no charge currently being made for courses delivered internally by SureStart Support team staff. Training was funded by an allocation made through the Early Intervention Grant.

 

The report indicated that by offering such training, the Local Authority was addressing a statutory duty to ensure access to high quality early education and care as detailed in the Childcare Act 2006.

 

The report proposed to increase course fees and establish a regular review of charges for future training courses. If accepted, then income from course fees would increase.  This could then be re-invested in workforce development and reduce the amount required through the Early Intervention Grant to maintain the programme.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  all courses offered through the termly workforce training programme to be increased to £10 to include courses that are currently free of charge; in line with neighbouring Local Authorities;

 

(2)  course fees be reviewed on an annual basis; and

 

(3)  changes to course fees be implemented as soon as possible after 1 April 2012.