Issue - meetings

(i)       to note the report on the progress and outcomes of the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2022-24;

(ii)       to welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with Scottish Childminding Association to deliver Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF), a National Partnership Programme on Childminder Retention & Recruitment, in Aberdeen;

(iii)      to approve the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2024-26 and instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to deliver the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan in line with statutory guidance and Best Start: Strategic Early Learning and School Age Childcare Plan for Scotland 2022-26;

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to work in  partnership with the Health Determinants Research Collaborative (HDRC) to align the planned Early Learning and Childcare longitudinal study research with the next statutory consultation with Parents and Carers in June 2025; and

(v)      to instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to report on the progress and outcomes of the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2024-26, and to prepare an updated Delivery Plan for 2026-28, in June 2026, in line with our statutory duties under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director Families and Communities which provided an update on the progress and outcomes of the improvement activities and actions in the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2022-24, and sought approval for an updated Delivery Plan for 2024-26, in line with the Council’s statutory duties to prepare and publish a plan.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the report on the progress and outcomes of the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2022-24;

(ii)       welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with Scottish Childminding Association to deliver Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF), a National Partnership Programme on Childminder Retention & Recruitment, in Aberdeen;

(iii)      approve the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2024-26 and instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to deliver the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan in line with statutory guidance and Best Start: Strategic Early Learning and School Age Childcare Plan for Scotland 2022-26;

(iv)      instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to work in  partnership with the Health Determinants Research Collaborative (HDRC) to align the planned Early Learning and Childcare longitudinal study research with the next statutory consultation with Parents and Carers in June 2025; and

(v)      instruct the Chief Officer Education and Lifelong Learning to report on the progress and outcomes of the Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Plan 2024-26, and to prepare an updated Delivery Plan for 2026-28, in June 2026, in line with our statutory duties under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.