The Children and Young People's Board of the Local Government Association (LGA) said last week that the statutory duty being placed on councils 'needs careful framing' and warned that it would be difficult to control the childcare market where the local authority is not the sole provider.
'There is no point creating a duty without being sure it can be delivered or without providing the resources to deliver it. We are certain the strategy will cost more to implement than the resources made available so far,' the LGA board stated.
The LGA took exception to the section in the strategy which states, 'Providers (including childminders) in local neighbourhoods will work together to ensure the best possible offer is available to parents. Local authorities will ensure this happens.'
Guidance for local authorities on steps they should take to implement the strategy in 2005-2006 has just been published.
It says councils will need a good understanding of local supply and demand, the types of childcare parents prefer and how to invest funds strategically to support affordability and sustainability.
It adds, 'The strategy recognises that local authorities are best placed to have the full picture of what services are needed to meet parents'
requirements for the families in their area.'
The LGA is planning a series of seminars involving local and central government, and private and voluntary sector providers, to discuss their market manager role. LGA board members will raise concerns about the statutory duty with ministers at the Central Local Partnership Sub Group on childcare, which will have its first meeting shortly.
The guidance says the Government will consult with local authorities later this year on its plans to use the 125m Transformation Fund to 'support the development of the workforce without compromising efforts to improve affordability'.
It calls for 'well-trained staff, low staff turnover and strong leadership', but says nothing about how it intends to improve pay and conditions. The LGA board said the fund 'will not, in itself, provide local authorities with the resources to deliver'.
It reiterates a commitment that schools will extend their services to provide wraparound care. But the LGA and local authority leaders are concerned that while they are being given a statutory duty, there is no legal obligation on schools to co-operate in delivering the childcare strategy.
Bob Janes, chair of Derbyshire EYDCP and cabinet member for education, said, 'While we have a decent relationship with schools in Derbyshire, it is worrying that where we might need an extended school, a school in theory could refuse to work with us. I would like the Government to put a legal demand on schools to co-operate. The lack of detail on workforce issues is disappointing.'
Mary Graveney of the South Gloucestershire Private Nurseries Association said that local authorities should telephone providers for current vacancy details, as filling in forms can lead to delays and out of date figures.
Guidance for the next phase of children's centres has been delayed until later in the summer. But Sharon Brannigan, children's centre development manager in Bolton, said, 'We urgently need guidance on how the children's centre programme will develop and some steer on integrated management and governance.'
Ten year strategy for childcare: guidance for local authorities is at http://www.surestart.gov.uk/news/index.cfm?news=102.
