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Childcare sufficiency assessment - executive summary

The 2022 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) forms part of a duty on local authorities to assess whether there are sufficient childcare opportunities to support working families within the area.

The assessment was primarily completed between 2021 and 2022, with additional data accumulated outside that period.

While it is primarily intended to assess whether there is sufficient childcare provision to suit the needs of working parents, it considers barriers to access, workforce development, quality and how parents / carers access information on available care.

The process

The assessment comprised a combination of desk research, stakeholder surveys and engagement and the findings of a range of online surveys developed by the local authority and Welsh Government.

The assessment was undertaken between July 2021 and June 2022, ahead of submission to Welsh Government in September 2022. Due to the length of time it was 'live' there were inevitably changes and developments mid-assessment that had to be considered.

Significantly, the 2022 CSA has been compiled at a time of major change and uncertainty. The Covid-19 pandemic above all else has massively impacted findings, views and data. Additionally, developments such as a commitment to extend the Flying Start offer to include two year olds were emerging at the time of assessment which meant that the overall position identified may well change considerably in the near future.

As a result, much of the findings and recommendations are heavily caveated as being reflective of the current situation. Most identified actions will include the requirement to identify suitability over the coming year.

Despite this, the research and analysis formed during the assessment provide a vital position statement of childcare across Swansea to help advise planning and policy.

 

Findings

Findings came in both quantifiable form, ie. 'is there enough provision to meet demand?', and qualitative, ie. 'is it of the required standard, can it be accessed and how are the workforce feeling?'

They were grouped based on the identified themes of the CSA, such as supply, demand, barriers to childcare, population, etc. It is recommended that the full CSA be referred to for an overall picture of findings, but most notable findings were:

Overall, there appears to be sufficient childcare, based on attendance, waiting lists, vacancies and consultation responses. However, this is impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and there are certain barriers that remain. This is a consistent view across areas and childcare types.

Each area of Swansea (ward) was considered in terms of provision available within it, as well as considering neighbouring areas where it is felt reasonable to expect that families could travel. Areas such as Gower and Mawr had a perceived deficiency although previously this has been considered and a low amount of provision is not reflected in feedback from families living in these areas that childcare is hard to access. This will need further consideration.

Cost of childcare is a barrier and the primary barrier to access for families with many feeling it is not a viable option. Several responses noted that comparative costs against income from employment meant they were unable to continue to work.

Take-up of tax-free childcare is low by comparison which adds to the issue.

Swansea is an area of diverse needs - with a marked difference between the most and least affluent, those with easy access to provision and those in rural communities having to travel to childcare. This can make planning for childcare problematic, as well as impacting upon the sustainability of settings operating in areas of need.

Most families' desire for pre-childcare doesn't translate into reality - with a much higher number intending to access formal childcare, often bilingually, than end up taking this up. The comparative data from families prior to their child requiring childcare presents a marked difference. This needs further consideration.

The quality of formal childcare is high according to most of those consulted. Feedback from parent / carers was consistent that they were pleased with the service that they received.

Financial sustainability is a concern for settings, despite considerable additional funding in response to Covid. Many settings stated that they were unsure if they would continue to be operating over the next 1 to 2 years. Whilst there is inevitable turnover of providers, particularly childminders, this figure was notably high. Additionally, there needs to be consideration of the impact of the additional funding in response to Covid and what the impact will be once this comes to an end.

Settings are struggling to find staff, with many vacancies remaining open for some time and the sector feeling undervalued as well as believing the profession warrants higher pay to justify the responsibility involved. It has been a difficult time for all, yet the sector has provided a key role in supporting children whilst earning comparatively low pay in return.

The proposed expansion of Flying Start will have a considerable impact although how exactly is to be confirmed at the current time. This is something that will need to be a particular area of focus over the coming months.

 

Recommendations

A comprehensive set of recommendations and associated actions can be found within the full report, however key recommendations include:

Increase the take-up of tax-free childcare, through engagement, awareness and support for settings.

Support those in greatest need, such as those on lower incomes, or with specific need barriers to access childcare such as additional learning needs (noting that processes currently exist to offer this support).

Undertake additional research that delves deeper into perceived areas of concern such as why intentions for childcare do not always materialise, or areas with a potential shortage in childcare. The CSA has identified many potential gaps but we will only know for sure if we look further into them.

Support the childcare workforce through access to training, guidance and Continued Professional Development (CPD). the local childcare sector plays a vital role and needs to feel supported to maintain this and to develop.

Promote childcare as a career, to ensure settings are not short of staff and childcare is seen as a reputable career with a salary to match. Settings are struggling to recruit and need to feel there are high quality candidates available.

Continued sustainability support for the sector including grant funding and business health checks that will allow them and us to measure how they are doing and if more assistance is required.

Plan for the development of the Flying Start offer, by considering likely implications, planning with key stakeholders and putting steps in place.

 

How achieved

These recommendations will best be achieved by having clear accountable actions detailing responsibility and resources. There needs to be ownership of these actions and a commitment to collaborative working from internal and external partners.

Additionally, the CSA and its recommendations should advise all relevant planning, policy and funding to support its implementation. This will be achieved by ensuring CSA actions mirror or are reflected in other relevant plans and vice-versa.

The CSA includes an annual action plan which details progress towards meeting the identified actions. For each action, a timescale is set with a view to all actions being achieved by submission of the next assessment in 2025.

This action plan will be monitored by identified officers who must report annually to Welsh Government on progress made and any shortfalls in achieving sufficient childcare.

Ultimately, the CSA is an evolving document and the process for assessment will continue over the next five years, including ensuring all stakeholders, not least Swansea's parents / carers are engaged and continue to have the opportunity to feed into it.

Action plan

The action plan sets out requirements to address areas of deficiency identified within the assessment.
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