URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2038

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Education and Inclusion which provided a summary of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025/26 and outlined how the Council was meeting its statutory duty to secure sufficient childcare in the borough. The report also included information about the current and future supply and demand for childcare and priority areas of focus for 2026.   The report contained comprehensive information in relation to the supply of childcare, the availability of childcare places by age group, the cost and quality of childcare provision and childcare demand as detailed in section 4.  Members noted that, overall, the availability of quality childcare in the borough remained good, based on summer 2025 data.  A number of successes from the assessment were highlighted, notably the expansion of wraparound childcare, with 94% of primary schools providing a full wraparound offer and over 1,000 additional places created or expanded through the national programme.  In addition, 98% of private nurseries and pre-schools, 95% of maintained academy nurseries and 99% of childminders were judged good or outstanding.  Key challenges were also noted and these and other priority areas would continue to be the focus going forward as outlined in section 4.4.  Members also noted the parent/carer feedback from the summer 2025 Parent Carer Childcare survey undertaken (at section 4.3.3).   Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.   Cabinet Members acknowledged the detailed content of the report and welcomed the overall positive picture of high quality provision and strong take-up of funded entitlement across the borough.  Cabinet Members thanked the staff in Early Years for all their hard work and for production of the report and commended all early years settings for the work they do in giving the borough’s children the best start in life.   DECIDED:     That   the content of the report which provided an update on how the Council is meeting its statutory duty to ensure sufficient childcare in the borough be noted.   Reason for Decision   Legislation imposes a duty on local authorities to report annually to Council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare (as far as reasonably practicable and within available resources) for working parents or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0-14 years (or up to 18 years for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).   Alternative Options   The provision of an annual childcare sufficiency update to members is a statutory requirement and therefore no other option other than that set out in section 2 of this report is appropriate.

Date of Decision: March 11, 2026