Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Appendix 1

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Produced by: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Sandwell Early Years and Childcare Unit Training & Development Centre Popes Lane Oldbury B69 4 PJ Tel: 0121 5694960 E‐mail: [email protected] Website: www.sandwell.gov.uk/earlyyears

Contents Page Page No. Legal Framework 3 Methodology 5 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Process 8 Sandwell Sub Areas- Core Offer Partnerships 9 Children and Families in Sandwell: 11 Population 11 Ethnicity 13 Migration 14 Vulnerable Children 15 Families and Childcare 19 Lone Parents 20 Teenage Mothers 21 Economic Factors 22 Child poverty 26 Comparative Childcare Data 28 Quality of Childcare 30 Analysis of Employer Questionnaire 39 Feedback from Parents Focus Groups 43 Analysis of Childcare Providers Questionnaire 48 Sandwell’s Supply and Demand of Childcare 55 Supply and Demand for Free Early Learning 63 Childcare Needs of Specific Groups 69 Families with children with disability 69 Childcare needs of Lone Parents 72 Childcare needs of armed Forces Families 74 Childcare for Older Children (11-14 years) 74 Childcare needs of BME 76 Looked After Children 77 Analysis of Core Offer Partnerships 79 Cradley Heath 79 Friar Park 83 Harvills and Hateley Heath 86 Oldbury North 90 Oldbury South 93 Rowley Regis 96 Smethwick Cape Hill 100 Smethwick North 103 Smethwick South 106 Tipton North 109 Tipton South 113 Tividale 116 Wednesbury North 120 West Bromwich Central 123 West Bromwich North 127 Consultation 130 Conclusion 131 Recommendations 134

2 Legal Framework

The Childcare Act 2006 clarifies in legislation the vital role local authorities should play as strategic leaders in facilitating the childcare market.

The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) involves analysing the demand for childcare; mapping the supply of childcare and identifying any gaps in childcare provision within the borough.

Gaps can be considered as: ¾ Geographical Gap – where a geographical area has a general shortage of supply ¾ Income Gap- where there is a shortage of affordable childcare for the income groups populating an area; ¾ Specific Need Gaps- where there is a shortage of suitable places for disabled children, or children with other specific needs or requirements including those from particular faiths or community group ¾ Time Gaps – where there is a shortage of childcare at a time that parents would wish to use childcare ¾ Age Gaps- where there is a shortage of childcare suitable to meet the needs and requirements of a certain age group. ¾ Type Gaps – where there is a shortage in the type of childcare for which parents maybe expressing a preference

For the purpose of undertaking the CSA childcare is defined as ‘childcare which allows parents or carers to undertake education, work or other regular commitments. Formal regulated1 childcare is any care, early learning or other supervised activity carried out by someone, with no parental responsibility for that child at a setting registered by Ofsted. Unregulated/informal childcare is carried out by friends or relatives for convenience purposes and without reward.

For the purpose of CSA, we refer to childcare as the following:

Childminder - provides care for child in childminder's own home Nanny / Home Childcarer - provides care in the child's own home Pre-school / Playgroup - provides care for less than 4hrs in a community setting Day Nursery - provides care for more than 4 hrs (usually 7am to 6pm) in a community setting Before School Club - provides care before school starts After School Club - provides care after school finishes After School Activities - a range of activities (i.e. dance/drama/sport/homework club) after school on a regular basis Holiday Playscheme - provides care during the school holidays Family / Friend - provides care for your child for no reward

1 Ofsted registered

3 The CSA must cover the borough as a whole but also on locally defined sub areas.

Following the assessment of the childcare market the local authority must secure, as far as reasonably practicable, sufficient childcare.

Sufficient Childcare under the Childcare Act 2006, is defined as “sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in the local authority area who require childcare in order to enable them to:

a) Take up, or remain in work b) To undertake education or training which could reasonably be expected to assist them to obtain work “

In determining whether there is sufficient childcare the local authority: a) Must have regard to the needs of parents in their area for –

i) Childcare, in respect of which the childcare element of working tax credit is payable ii) Childcare that is suitable for disabled children

b) May have regard for childcare which they expect to be available outside their area

The Childcare Act 2006 also places a duty on the local authority to secure sufficient nursery education places for 3 and 4 year olds.

The local authority has strategic responsibility to plan, support and commission childcare and should only provide childcare directly if no other person is willing to do so or it is appropriate for the local authority to do so.

Local Authorities are required to complete a CSA every three years and to review this at least annually. This first CSA was completed in 2008 and a Childcare Strategic Action Plan (CSAP) was developed from the recommendations in the CSA. The CSAP was monitored on a quarterly basis to ensure actions were being achieved. Subsequent reviews were undertaken in 2009 and 2010 and recommendations from these were also fed into the Childcare Strategic Action Plan

The Family Information Service (FIS), in conjunction with Research Sandwell, has undertaken this second CSA. The Family Information Service is part of the Early Years and Childcare Unit, which is within Sandwell Council’s Children and Families Services. MEL Research Consultancy carried out focus groups with parents and children and young people. Nicola Stubbs Employer Engagement Consultant carried out focus groups with employers and childcare providers.

4 Methodology

In undertaking the Childcare Sufficiency a number of research methods were adopted.

These included:

Desktop ¾ Demographic data from the Office for National Statistics and Sandwell MBC (Research Sandwell) Childcare data from Ofsted and Sandwell Family Information Service

Questionnaires Four different surveys were done using questionnaire:

A Parent Survey, which was targeted at parents of children within the different age ranges.

A Provider Survey, which was targeted at all Ofsted registered childcare providers held on a database by the Local Authority.

An Employers Survey, which was targeted at businesses in Sandwell.

A survey was sent to Extended School’s Co-ordinators to gather data on services being provided through extended services which are not registered with Ofsted and was deemed as a ‘safe place to be’ – After School Activities.

Parent Survey Parents Surveys were carried out in May/June10. It was decided that a carefully planned and structured method would be adopted for the parent’s survey in order to prevent duplication and low responses from some areas.

Research Sandwell identified how many responses would be required; this was agreed at 1,067 at borough level to have +/-3% confidence in the results, at the 95% confidence level. It was further determined that we would require at least 96 responses per CoOP to have a +/- 10% confidence in the results, this therefore gave us an overall target of 1440 responses.

The amount sent out was just over 660 per CoOP this was divided up to reflect: 0-5 (Children Centres) 5-11 (Primary Schools) 11-14 (Secondary Schools) All Special Schools were targeted to reach as many parents as possible that have a child with SEN or disability.

All schools and children centres that were identified to support the consultations process were visited and the following discussed with them: The purpose of the survey How many questionnaires to be sent via the setting

5 Support parents would require if English is not their first language or if they have poor literacy skills.

10,000 questionnaires were sent out with a deadline for responses on 17th June 2010.

The initial response was 1070, in order to increase the number of responses and to achieve the required amount for each CoOP a booster was undertaken in July 2010.

The process for the booster was: In CoOPs where the responses were below the minimum of 96 responses additional questionnaires were distributed. These were sent out via children centres where children centre staff identifying parents who indicated that they had not responded to the questionnaire. To minimise the risk of duplication different schools in the CoOP were used for the booster.

A further 5000 questionnaires were sent out with a deadline of 23rd July 10; a final response of 1161 was achieved overall.

SNAP Surveys undertook the data entry and cross tabs, analysis of the questionnaire was completed by FIS.

Childcare Provider Survey Questionnaires were taken out by Early Years and Childcare Unit Development Workers, with a total of 236 questionnaires being completed out of 519 providers on the FIS database.

Research Sandwell undertook the data entry and provided data tables for the FIS to analyse.

Employer Survey Employers were surveyed between April and November 09, 500 questionnaires were sent out and 64 responded.

Face to Face Parent Focus Group - MEL Research Consultancy carried out the Focus Groups Sessions in February/March 10. 10 focus groups were held across the borough -parents with children with a disability, Black and Minority Ethnic parents , young parents, lone parents, economically inactive parents; parents of pre-school children; parents of primary school children; parents of secondary school children, fathers and foster carers.

Children & Young People Focus Group - MEL Research Consultancy also carried out the Children’s and Young People Focus Group and this was done during July/August 10. 10 sessions were held with children and young people: 0-4 years old (3 groups))

6 5 to 10 years old (3 groups) 11- 14 years old (2 groups)) Looked after Children (1 focus group) Children/Young people with Disabilities - 5-19yr olds (1 group)

Employer Focus Group/Provider Focus Group – Nicola Stubbs, Employer Engagement Consultant undertook 4 focus groups in June/July 10 1 focus group was with local employers 3 focus groups were with childcare providers.

Equality Impact Assessment The process of undertaking the CSA involves the views and feedback of all the above groups within Sandwell, this process supports and meets the requirement of Children and Families Equality Impact Assessment.

7 The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Process

SUPPLY OF DEMAND FOR LOCAL CHILDCARE CHILDCARE CONTEXT

What is What is the What are the local currently unmet demand factors that affect available? for childcare? childcare?

Ofsted data Parent survey Child Population FIS data Focus Groups Family Provider survey Employer Characteristics result consultation Work Patterns Household income

ASSESSMENT

Analysing the supply of childcare to the demand

for childcare

Identifying gaps in provision

Making recommendations

Sandwell CONSULTATION Metropolitan Borough Council

Parents/ Children & Providers Employers carers Young People

SUFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT REPORT AND STRATEGIC ACTION Sandwell Sub-Areas: ExtendePLANd Services Core Offer Partnerships(included (CoOPs) as part of the Children & Young People’s Plan)

8 Sandwell Sub-Areas: Extended Services Core Offer Partnerships CoOPs

In 2006, Sandwell MBC worked with schools to develop local partnerships, known as ‘Extended Services Core Offer Partnerships’ or CoOPs. The aim of each CoOP is to provide access to a range of high quality services and activities within the natural communities in which children, young people and families live. The services (or ‘core offer’) include:

• Childcare • Varied menu of activities, including study support, sport, art. • Parenting support and family learning • Swift and easy access to specialist services • Community access to services.

CoOPs are community-focussed partnerships made up of schools, children centres, the voluntary and community sector, statutory and non statutory providers, and private businesses. The geographical areas of CoOPs make sense to those communities that work and live within them ensuring access to local preventative and universal services. By working collaboratively, CoOPs utilise local expertise and resources to deliver a co-ordinated package of high quality provision and resources that benefit children, young people, families’ and members of the community.

For the purpose of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment, detailed analysis of childcare, activities for young people and support for parents getting back into employment or training has been done at a CoOP level. The data is used to support the local delivery of childcare from 0-18 years.

In 2008, the 16 CoOPs became 15 with Charlemont & Yew Tree CoOP and Great Barr & Hamstead CoOP merging to become West Bromwich North CoOP. The 15 CoOPs are:

1. Cradley Heath Core Offer Partnership (Cradley Cohesion) 2. Friar Park Extended Services Core Offer Partnership (FRESCO) 3. Harvills and Hateley Heath Core Offer Partnership (Co-oper8) 4. Oldbury North Core Offer Partnership 5. Oldbury South Extended Partnership (OSEP) 6. Rowley Regis Core Offer Partnership (Rowley Response) 7. Smethwick Cape Hill Core Offer Partnership 8. Smethwick North Action Partnership (SNAP) 9. Smethwick South Local Core Offer Partnership (Venture) 10. South Tipton Extended Partnership (STEP) 11. Tipton North Extended Partnership (TNEP) 12. Tividale Extended Services Team (TEST) 13. Wednesbury North Core Offer Partnership 14. West Bromwich Central Core Offer Partnership 15. West Bromwich North Core Offer Partnership

9 Sandwell Core Offer Partnerships Map

10 Children and Families in Sandwell

A detailed analysis of the social and economic data is required to provide context for the childcare sufficiency assessment.

Population Estimates The population of Sandwell is beginning to increase again, after a period of decline. Current estimates2 put the total number of residents at 291,000, this is an increase of 2,300 (0.78%) from the previous year. This is due mainly to natural change (more births than deaths), as well as a steady inflow of both internal and international migration. Sandwell has now a population density of 3,400 residents per square kilometre.

The population of Sandwell has a median age of 37.8 years, with the most numerous age group being of people in their forties (44,300 residents aged 40-49). The female population is only slightly higher than the male population (51.2%).

Sandwell is a borough with a relative young population, with 21% of residents being under 16. This is a higher proportion that the regional and national averages (see Figure 1 below). Of all the children under 16, the most numerous group are the under-5s (25,900), which make up 42% of the 0-15 age band (see Table 1, below).

Percentage of population by broad age group

Sandwell

West Midlands

England and Wales

Figure 1 Source: Mid Year Population Estimates (MYE) 2009, ONS

Breakdown of under-18 population by age group

% of all Age Count population 0 to 2 13,600 4.7% 3 to 4 8,100 2.8% 5 to 7 11,100 3.8% 8 to 10 10,300 3.5% 11 to 14 14,300 4.9% Total 57,400 19.7% Table 1 Source: (MYE) 2009, ONS

2 Mid Year Estimates 2009, ONS

11 Population Projections Sandwell’s population has increased by 5,400 residents (1.89%) over the last 7 years, ranking 16th for growth in the West Midlands from mid-2004 to mid- 2009.

Based on this pattern, ONS has produced population projections that show this growth continuing for the next 25 years at a rate of 13% by 2033 (see Figure 2 below). While all the age groups are expected to increase, the growth will be much higher for the pensionable age population (33%) and children under 16 (17%).

Sandwell Population Projections 2008-2033 200

180

160

140

120

100 Thousands

40 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Children 0-15 Working Age Pensionable Age Figure 2 Source: Sub National Population Projections 2008-based, ONS However, when looking closer at the young people group, we see different patterns of growth. As the graph overleaf shows (Figure 3), the youngest populations (0-4 and 5-9 years of age) are expected to increase rapidly in the next 10 years or so, stabilising its numbers by 2020 at around 22,200 for under 5s and 21,600 for 7-9s until 2033. The projections predict that the number of under-10s would have increased by a third in the intervening 25 years, from 38,300 in 2008 to 43,900 in 2033.

On the other hand, the numbers of young people (10-19) are expected to decline over the next 10 years, with the biggest decrease being amongst the 15-19 year olds (a decrease of 3,000 between 2008 and 2018). However, as the younger children grow up the numbers of teenagers will gradually increase from 2010 till 2033, with a net growth of 3,200 for the 10-14 year olds (17.8%) and 800 for the 15-19 year olds (4.1%).

The ONS population projections are conservative estimates and it is already evident through the latest birth data that the resident population is growing at a higher rate than initially envisaged.

12 Sandwell Population Projections 2008 to 2033 Young People 0-19 23

19 Thousands

8 9 0 2 4 5 6 7 9 1 3 6 8 0 3 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 022 0 024 0 0 0 0 2 200 2 2011 2 2013 2 2 2 2 2018 2 2020 2 2 2 2 2025 2 2027 2 2029 2 2031 2032 2

0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19

Figure 3 Source: Sub National Population Projections 2008-based, ONS

Ethnicity Sandwell is a multi-cultural and diverse borough, where just over a quarter of the population (25.39%)3 is of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)4 origin.

% Sandwell Population by Ethnicity White British

Irish

Other White

White & Black Caribbean

White & Black African

White & Asian

Other Mixed

Indian

Pakistani

Bangladeshi

Other Asian

Black Caribbean

Black African

74.61% Other Black

Chinese

Other Ethnic Group

Figure 4 Source: Mid Year Estimates by Ethnicity 2007, ONS

3 Mid Year Estimates by Ethnicity 2007, ONS 4 BME encompasses any ethnic group non-white British. White Irish and other white ethnic groups (e.g. EU migrants) have therefore been included in the overarching BME count.

13 When the age group 0-15 is specifically looked at, the proportion of children of BME origin rises to almost a third (31.32%).

% Sandwell Population by Ethnicity- 0 to 15 years of age White British

Irish

Other White

White & Black Caribbean

White & Black African

White & Asian

Other Mixed

Indian

Pakistani

Bangladeshi

Other Asian

Black Caribbean

68.68% Black African

Other Black

Chinese

Other Ethnic Group

Figure 5 Source: Mid Year Estimates by Ethnicity 2007, ONS

It is reasonable to assume that this trend will continue and that both the number and rates of children in Sandwell who are not of white British origin will increase steadily in the coming years. This is based on the estimated birth rates of ethnic groups and on international and sub-national migration patterns. It is therefore important to consider the childcare needs of BME children so that their needs are met.

Migration One of the reasons of the growth of Sandwell’s population is the steady flow of international migrants, which has offset the effects of the internal migration out of the borough.

In the period between 2008 and 2009 (Table 2), we see a narrowing of the gap between internal and external migration, as well as a recovery in international migrants’ inflow to Sandwell after a period of decline (Figure 6).

Components of population Internal Internal change mid-2008 Natural in- out- Int'l in- Int'l out- Other mid-2009 estimate Change migration migration migration migration changes estimate Sandwell 288,750 1,710 11,870 12,070 1,580 810 -30 291,000 West Midlands 5,408,430 19,650 101,280 110,090 35,590 24,130 340 5,431,080 England and Wales 54,454,720 201,360 47,940 52,720 506,430 349,160 480 54,809,060

Table 2 Source: ONS

Plot of immigration and emigration both internal and international between 2004-05 and 2008-09

Figure 6 Source: ONS

This resurgence in international in-migration is reflected in the school population, which saw 143 new arrivals enrolled during the last academic year (2009-2010).5

Vulnerable Children For the purposes of the needs assessment, this section encompasses children in care (or Looked After Children, otherwise known as LAC), and children with disabilities. Regarding the latter, it is difficult to obtain reliable information on the numbers of children with a disability, since there is no central register and also the criteria as to what “disability” means varies depending on the agencies and age groups. The three sources of information used in the section below

5 Source: International New Arrivals Team, Children & Young People Services, SMBC

15 constitute our best estimate of the numbers of disabled children in Sandwell at the beginning of the academic year 2010-11.

Children with Disabilities a) Children in the Early Years SEN register6 They are children 0-5 with a learning difficulty and at least another difficulty or disability. According to the database snapshot at 5/10/10, there were 171 children under 5 registered in Sandwell that fit that criteria. You can see below their breakdown by CoOP area.

Number of disabled children under 5 at 5/10/10 CoOP Total Cradley CoOP 9 Friar Park CoOP 9 Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 13 Oldbury North CoOP 11 Oldbury South CoOP 9 Rowley CoOP 25 Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 15 Smethwick North CoOP 7 Smethwick South CoOP 14 Tipton North CoOP 11 Tipton South CoOP 14 Tividale CoOP 7 Wednesbury North CoOP 6 West Bromwich Central CoOP 11 West Bromwich North COP 10 Grand Total 171 Table 3

b) Children with a statement of SEN currently on the EMS system7 These are children which have been recorded as having an active statement of special educational need.

However, the data below does not include those children whose special educational needs are met by their school through School Action and School Action Plus.

6 Source: Early Years Integrated Support Service

7 EMS Database, School Data Team, Children & Young People Services, SMBC

Pupils in Sandwell schools with a SEN statement (Snapshot at 27/9/10): 1022 Residence School Key Stage In Sandwell: 989 (97%) Primary: 334 (33%) Out of Sandwell: 33 (3%) Secondary: 534 (52%) Unknown: 2 Post-16: 154 (15%)

Ethnicity Gender White British: 630 (66%) Male: 721 (73%) BME: 321 (34%) Female: 281 (27%) Unknown: 71 Table 4

c) Children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance8 Disability Living Allowance (DLA) provides a non-contributory, non means-tested and tax-free contribution towards the disability-related extra costs of severely disabled people who claim help with those costs before the age of 65. DLA has two components, care and mobility, which can be paid together or on their own.

DLA August 09-May 10 (average) Core Offer Partnership (CoOP) U-16 16-24 Total Cradley CoOP 84 83 166 Friar Park CoOP 105 53 158 Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 96 50 146 Oldbury North CoOP 158 106 264 Oldbury South CoOP 66 41 108 Rowley CoOP 181 115 296 Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 113 81 194 Smethwick North CoOP 90 45 135 Smethwick South CoOP 101 65 166 Tipton North CoOP 96 58 154 Tipton South CoOP 156 83 239 Tividale CoOP 56 33 89 Wednesbury North CoOP 74 48 121 West Bromwich Central CoOP 176 94 270 West Bromwich North CoOP 165 126 291 Table 5 1,718 1,079 2,796

Looked After Children (LACs)9

According to the latest figures, there were 276 children being looked after in Sandwell in September 2010. Almost a third (31%) of LACs are over 16 years of age,

8 Disability Living Allowance Benefit Claimants Aug 2009 to May 2010, averaged over 4 quarters; Small Area Statistics, NOMIS (ONS). 9 The current information on Looked After Children (LAC) in Sandwell is held in the ICS database (Children Social Care). The figures shown are taken from a snapshot at 27 September 2010 of all active LACs with care addresses in Sandwell.

17 whereas just over half of them (53%) are of school age and only 16% of LACs are under 5 years of age.

Rowley is the CoOP with the highest number of LACs (51), followed by both the West Bromwich CoOPs (53 in total) and Oldbury North (26). On the other hand, LACs are less numerous in Harvills and Hateley Heath, Friar Park and Smethwick South (single figures).

Number of LAC by school age and Core Offer Partnership Area School Age Pre- Grand CoOP School Primary Secondary 16+ Total Cradley CoOP 5 2 7 1 15 Friar Park CoOP 2 1 2 5 Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 2 1 3 6 Oldbury North CoOP 5 10 5 6 26 Oldbury South CoOP 1 1 6 5 13 Rowley CoOP 17 14 14 6 51 Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 5 5 3 13 Smethwick North CoOP 3 3 5 11 Smethwick South 1 2 2 4 9 Tipton North CoOP 6 9 6 2 23 Tipton South CoOP 4 4 7 2 17 Tividale CoOP 4 1 6 1 12 Wednesbury North CoOP 3 9 6 4 22 West Bromwich Central CoOP 8 11 4 4 27 West Bromwich North CoOP 9 6 10 1 26 Grand Total 75 71 86 44 276 % of all LACs in Sandwell 16% 27% 26% 31% Table 6 Source: Children Social Care

Most LACs are White British (63%). This rate is close to the estimated percentage of White British population under 19 in Sandwell. However, 14% of all LACs are of mixed ethnic heritage. This rate doubles the percentage of children of mixed ethnic groups in Sandwell (approximately 7%).10 Conversely, the percentage of LAC children of Asian origin (8%) is far less than the representation of these ethnic groups in the Sandwell cohort (28%)

Number of LAC by broad ethnic group and Core Offer Partnership Area

Broad Ethnic Group CoOP White Asian Mixed Black Other Grand Total Cradley CoOP 10 0 3 1 1 15 Friar Park CoOP 2 0 1 2 0 5 Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 3 2 0 0 1 6 Oldbury North CoOP 13 6 5 2 0 26 Oldbury South CoOP 7 0 5 1 0 13 Rowley CoOP 39 0 7 5 0 51 Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 8 3 2 0 0 13 Smethwick North CoOP 2 5 2 1 1 11

10 Data from Sandwell School Census Spring 2010.

18 Smethwick South CoOP 4 2 0 1 1 9 Tipton North CoOP 18 1 2 2 0 23 Tipton South CoOP 15 0 1 1 0 17 Tividale CoOP 6 2 1 1 1 12 Wednesbury North CoOP 16 2 4 0 0 22 West Bromwich Central CoOP 19 2 2 3 1 27 West Bromwich North CoOP 17 1 5 3 0 26 Grand Total 179 26 40 23 6 276 % of all LACs in Sandwell 64.9% 9.4% 14.5% 8.3% 2.2% Table 7 Source: Children Social Care

Families and Childcare

HMRC provides a detailed breakdown of families in receipt of child benefit (CB) and child tax credits (CTC) every summer11. This includes the level of tax credit and the take up of the childcare element.

The latest data set is a snapshot of HMRC database at August 2008. The table below (table 8) presents a profile of families in Sandwell by CoOP area based on this information:

Number of Families (Please note figures may not add up due to rounding) Benefiting Receiving from Child Receiving Out of Childcare CoOP Benefit CTC In Work Work Element NI 118 * Cradley CoOP 2,635 2,350 1,740 600 140 13.91% Friar Park CoOP 1,875 1,760 1,150 610 80 11.58% Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 2,155 2,110 1,540 570 130 12.92% Oldbury North CoOP 3,335 1,650 1,340 310 150 19.92% Oldbury South CoOP 1,535 2,990 2,220 770 210 15.06% Rowley CoOP 4,755 4,660 3,400 1,260 250 12.66% Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 2,390 3,070 2,290 790 190 14.18% Smethwick North CoOP 1,950 2,300 1,400 900 180 16.64% Smethwick South CoOP 2,485 2,390 1,810 580 230 20.42% Tipton North CoOP 2,320 2,380 1,570 820 100 10.82% Tipton South CoOP 3,055 1,770 1,230 540 90 10.01% Tividale CoOP 1,695 1,400 1,010 390 110 16.29% Wednesbury North 1,665 1,660 1,210 450 70 8.96% West Bromwich Central 3,750 3,710 2,710 1,000 160 8.85% West Bromwich North 4,980 4,540 3,620 920 410 21.17% Grand Total 40,580 38,740 28,240 10,510 2,500 Average Percent 100% 73% 27% 14.35% Table 8 Source: HMRC * NI 118: % of take up of childcare element of CTC by low income families

11 Table 1.1 Number of families benefiting from WTC, CTC and families with children receiving out of work benefits by Local Authority: August 2008; Personal Tax Credits, Small Area and Data Zone, HMRC. Please note that figures may not add up due to rounding (to the nearest 5).

The table above shows that in 2008 there were 40,580 families with children in Sandwell, of which 38,760 were in receipt of child tax credits (CTC). Of those families receiving CTC, approximately 7 in 10 are in work and 3 in 10 are out of work.

Regarding the National Indicator 118 (% Take –up of the childcare element of the CTC amongst low income working families), the latest approved figure is 14%, although recent released quarterly figures show that this rate increased in the last financial year by approximately 1%. Families in Wednesbury North and West Bromwich Central have the lowest rates of childcare tax credits take up, whereas Smethwick South, West Bromwich North and Oldbury South show take-up rates well above the Sandwell average.

Lone Parents The HMRC statistics provide the most accurate figures to know the number of lone parent families in the borough, since they include both in work and out of work parent households irrespective of the level of tax credit received12. Based on the same data set, the table below (table 9) shows the counts and percentages of lone parent families in 2008 by CoOP area and employment status (please note that figures may not add up due to rounding).

Lone Parent Families COUNT Lone Parent Fam. % Receiving In Childcare Out of Out of CoOP Work Element Work Total In Work Work Cradley CoOP 390 90 430 820 48.81% 51.19% Friar Park CoOP 280 60 420 700 39.29% 60.71% Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 450 90 390 840 55.69% 44.31% Oldbury North CoOP 350 90 230 580 51.48% 48.52% Oldbury South CoOP 570 150 560 1,130 59.00% 41.00% Rowley CoOP 830 170 960 1,790 45.92% 54.08% Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 510 130 540 1,050 38.81% 61.19% Smethwick North CoOP 400 140 650 1,050 45.11% 54.89% Smethwick South CoOP 520 140 410 930 57.71% 42.29% Tipton North CoOP 360 60 600 960 37.10% 62.90% Tipton South CoOP 270 60 350 620 47.62% 52.38% Tividale CoOP 270 80 280 550 49.60% 50.40% Wednesbury North CoOP 250 40 300 550 44.23% 55.77% West Bromwich Central CoOP 700 110 690 1,390 51.09% 48.91% West Bromwich North CoOP 920 280 650 1,570 57.10% 42.90% Grand Total 7,070 1,690 7,460 14,530 48.71% 51.29% Table 9 Source: HMRC, snapshot August 2008

12 Source as in footnote 10, before.

20 The table above shows that the proportion between lone parents in work and out of work in Sandwell is quite balanced (49% - 51% split), compared with the national picture that estimates a 1:2 ratio. The CoOPs with the highest rates of lone parents out of work are Tipton North, Smethwick Capehill and Friar Park.

Teenage Mothers

According to the latest information from Sandwell PCT13, there were 4,710 live births in Sandwell during the academic year 2009/10. Of these, 216 (5.18%) were born of teenage mothers, with ages ranging 10 to 18. Please see breakdown by age band and CoOP below (see Table 10).

Although these figures may be a cause for concern, the latest statistics from ONS show that the number and rates of teenage pregnancies in Sandwell are decreasing. For instance, the rate of teenage pregnancies decreased from a peak of 65.4 in 2003 to 56.4 in 2008, the lowest rate recorded in the past 8 years (see Figure 7).

Number of mothers under-19 (Sept 2009- Aug 2010) CoOP 10-14 15-16 17-18 TOTAL % Cradley CoOP 1 0 15 16 7% Friar Park CoOP 0 2 11 13 6% Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 0 0 12 12 6% Oldbury North CoOP 0 1 19 20 9% Oldbury CoOP 0123 1% Rowley CoOP 0 5 40 45 21% Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 2237 3% Smethwick North CoOP 1416 3% Smethwick South CoOP 0 2 12 14 6% Tipton North CoOP 0 0 15 15 7% Tipton South CoOP 0 3 12 15 7% Tividale CoOP 1146 3% Wednesbury North CoOP 0 1 10 11 5% West Bromwich Central CoOP 0 2 15 17 8% West Bromwich North CoOP 1 0 15 16 7% Grand Total 6 24 186 216 100% Table 10 Source: ONS

13 Monthly Birth Statistics, Sept 2009 to August 2010, ONS

21 Rates of Teenage Pregnancies

65.4 65 64.0 63 62.7 62.0 61.9 61

59 58.2 57 Rate perRate 1,000 women15-17 56.5 56.4

55 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Figure 7 Source: ONS

Economic factors

Employment • Levels of employment

Sandw ell West Midlands Great Britain 75

55 Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr Jul Oct Jan Apr 04- 04- 04- 04- 05- 05- 05- 05- 06- 06- 06- 06- 07- 07- 07- 07- 08- 08- 08- 08- 09- 09- Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar 04 05 05 05 05 06 06 06 06 07 07 07 07 08 08 08 08 09 09 09 09 10

22 Employment Levels of employment in Sandwell have traditionally been lower than those in the West Midlands region and Great Britain; however, although the economic downturn has had an impact on employment levels across the country, its effects have been felt even more strongly in Sandwell (see figure 8, below).

In 2006-7, the employment rate in the borough was 65.2%, only 5.5% below the region’s average. However, 1 year later that rate had decreased to 62%, a gap of over 8% with the West Midlands, hitting its lowest point between July 08 and Jun 09 at 58.6% and widening the gap with the region by more than 10%.

The figures for the last 3 calendar quarters, however, show a slow recovery of the employment rate in Sandwell, which has been steadily increasing since October 2008 to 59.9%, narrowing the gap with the West Midlands to 8.6%.

Employment rates in Sandwell 2004-2010 (by calendar quarters)

Sandw ell West Midlands Great Britain 75

Figure 8 Source: Annual Population Survey, NOMIS (ONS)

The latest figures (April 2009- March 2010) from the Annual Population Survey show that last year 71% of the working age population in Sandwell was economically active. Of these, 110,400 people were in employment and approximately 11, 400 were unemployed.

Worklessness and Unemployment

In the national indicator set of 198 indicators for Local Authorities, the indicator on worklessness (NI 152) looks at the proportion of the working age population who are claiming an out-of-work benefit—either Jobseekers

23 Allowance, Incapacity Benefits, Income Support for lone parents or other income related benefits.

Worklessness’ is about much more than unemployment; there are far greater numbers of people who are workless than unemployed. To be defined as unemployed, people need to be actively looking for work and available to start work, which practically defines the unemployed as those in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA). The table below shows the latest figures of JSA and out of work benefits in Sandwell and their proportions according to the latest estimates for working age population14

Out of Work Benefit Recipients – May 2010

JSA Total Working Workless CoOP Count Workless Age JSA % % Cradley CoOP 745 2230 11771 6.3% 18.9% Friar Park CoOP 500 1730 7534 6.6% 23.0% Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 665 2030 9282 7.2% 21.9% Oldbury North CoOP 1050 2845 14624 7.2% 19.5% Oldbury South CoOP 345 980 6946 5.0% 14.1% Rowley CoOP 1315 3815 20154 6.5% 18.9% Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 965 2615 9198 10.5% 28.4% Smethwick North CoOP 575 1580 8074 7.1% 19.6% Smethwick South CoOP 655 1820 12230 5.4% 14.9% Tipton North CoOP 840 2390 9515 8.8% 25.1% Tipton South CoOP 890 2755 13439 6.6% 20.5% Tividale CoOP 520 1365 7744 6.7% 17.6% Wednesbury North CoOP 535 1555 7165 7.5% 21.7% West Bromwich Central CoOP 1370 3975 16765 8.2% 23.7% West Bromwich North CoOP 1135 3150 21666 5.2% 14.5% Grand Total 12,105 34,835 176,107 6.9% 19.8% Table 10 Source: ONS

The table above shows how the rate of worklessness in Sandwell practically trebles the rate of unemployment. Half of the CoOPs in Sandwell have rates of both worklessness and unemployment above the borough average. The highest rates are in Smethwick Cape Hill, Tipton North and West Bromwich Central.

14 Benefit Recipients by Small Area, May 2010 – NOMIS (ONS)

24 Deprivation & Income Overall Sandwell is ranked 14th most deprived out of 354 Authorities with 53% of its population living in wards designated as ‘very deprived’15.

The median earnings in pounds for employees in Sandwell are below the average for the rest of the region by 11% and below the average for Great Britain by 19% (see table 11 below)16. Gross pay for women workers is always lower than for men workers both in full time employment.

West Great Gross Weekly Pay * Sandwell Midlands Britain Full-time workers £412.3 £457.4 £491

Male full-time workers £450.7 £492.4 £534.4 Female full-time workers £368.8 £394.2 £426.6 Table 11 Source: ONS * Median earnings in pounds for employees living in the area

At sub-district level, CACI Ltd provides gross income data modelled at postcode level using information on over 4 million households from lifestyle surveys and Census and Market Research data17. Based on the CACI model, we have calculated the mean gross income per year and CoOP area (this is based on the earnings of people who are in employment). See table 12 below:

MEAN GROSS INCOME CoOP In working households Cradley CoOP £29,531 Friar Park CoOP £26,476 Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP £27,084 Oldbury North CoOP £29,505 Oldbury South CoOP £32,207 Rowley CoOP £28,617 Smethwick Capehill CoOP £23,854 Smethwick North CoOP £27,041 Smethwick South CoOP £31,455 Tipton North CoOP £27,412 Tipton South CoOP £28,740 Tividale CoOP £30,363 Wednesbury North CoOP £27,936 West Bromwich Central CoOP £25,488 West Bromwich North CoOP £32,388 SANDWELL AVERAGE £28,773 Table 12 Source: CACI Ltd.

15 English Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2007 16 Source: ONS annual survey of hours and earnings - resident analysis 17 CACI Ltd, Paycheck Data: http://www.caci.co.uk/

25 The mean is calculated by adding up the numbers in a sample and dividing that answer by the sample size. It is worth noting that at small area level, the median salary is always lower than the mean. This means that the majority of households in an area have an income that is lower than the mean average for the area.

Child Poverty According to HMRC figures18, in August of 2008 Sandwell had 30.8% of their children population living in what is considered “relative” poverty19. This means approximately 22,500 children. The 2008 score represents a modest decrease of 0.8% from the 2007 figure (31.6%), which is good news. However, this comes after a significant rise of the indicator between 2006 and 2007 of 1.2%. As a result, the proportion of children in poverty in Sandwell has increased by 0.4% between 2006 and 2008 (see Figure 9 below).

Birmingham NI 116: % of Children in Poverty Coventry 40% Dudley Sandwell Solihull

35% Walsall Wolverhampton Sandwell England 30% West Midlands

25% West Midlands Percentage England 20%

15%

10% 2006 2007 2008 Figure 9 Source: Child Poverty Statistics, HMRC

Sandwell ranks 26th nationally in the list of authorities with the highest rates of child poverty, this is within the worst decile (10%) of all authorities. Of the 24 Sandwell wards, 5 have child poverty rates of less than 20%, whereas another 10 have rates equal or below the Sandwell average.

This means that half of the wards in Sandwell have poverty rates over 30.8% (3 in every 10 children), with the worst rates being in Soho and Victoria, where almost half the children live in relative poverty.

18 Child Poverty Statistics, snapshot at August 2008, HMRC. 19 NI 116 definition (2009): Number of children living in families in receipt of Child Tax Credits whose reported income is less than 60 per cent of the median income or in receipt of IS or (Income- Based) JSA, divided by the total number of children in the area (children= dependants 0-19 determined by Child Benefit data).

26 When looking at the data at CoOP level, we can see that there are quite significant variations from the Sandwell average (see table 13 below)

Children living in % Children in CoOP relative poverty Poverty Cradley CoOP 1,285 26.10% Friar Park CoOP 1,310 37.42% Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 1,135 29.29% Oldbury North CoOP 1,710 27.77% Oldbury South CoOP 520 19.36% Rowley CoOP 2,565 28.79% Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 2,370 46.16% Smethwick North CoOP 1,585 37.58% Smethwick South 1,090 23.81% Tipton North CoOP 1,595 35.91% Tipton South CoOP 1,605 30.31% Tividale CoOP 900 29.83% Wednesbury North CoOP 970 31.36% West Bromwich Central CoOP 2,325 32.36% West Bromwich North CoOP 1,690 18.86% SANDWELL 22,655 30.8% Table 13 Source: HMRC

The CoOPs with the highest rates of child poverty are Smethwick Cape Hill, Friar Park and Smethwick North, with percentages well above the borough average. However, West Bromwich North and Oldbury South have rates of child poverty even below the national average

27 Comparative Childcare Data

The information below compares Sandwell volume of childcare against other areas in the West Midlands, it also compares the volume of childcare places against the volume in September 2007 when data was gathered for the previous CSA.

It is important to bear in mind that within the West Midland area there are several counties i.e. Herefordshire, Shropshire Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire as well as a large city Birmingham.

The September 2007, data identified childcare providers as childminders, full daycare, and sessional daycare out of school care and crèche day care.

Since 2008, Ofsted register providers as: Childminders Childcare on Domestic Premises (Day Nurseries, Out of school Clubs, Playschemes, Pre-School Playgroups and Crèches) Childcare on Non Domestic Premises (four or more people providing care on domestic premises) Home Childcarer (person cares for the child/ren in the child/ren own home)

Therefore, it is difficult to compare the volume of places for each type of childcare provisions against the data that was used in September 2007 as the data is not available in the same way.

It is worth bearing mind that the way Ofsted register provisions have also changed since 2008, i.e schools which offer childcare for children over the age of 3 do not have to be registered but are inspected as part of the schools inspections and that this is likely to impact on the volume of childcare places.

Based on Ofsted data as of 30th June 2010 (appendix 1) and data used in the September 2007 data (appendix 2) there are some finding which are worth noting:

¾ There are 9.9% less childminder places in England and 16.5% reduction in overall childcare places since the September 2007 data. ¾ Ofsted data of 30th June 2010 shows the volume of childcare in the West Midlands as133, 095 and Sandwell Childcare volume as 5,532 places. This represents just over 20% less childcare in the West Midlands and just over 16% less in Sandwell since September 2007. ¾ In September 2007 the West Midlands region had 29,100 childminders by June 2010 there were 24,813 (with a further 172 places as childcare on domestic premises) this represents 14.7% less childminders; Sandwell had a similar reduction in childminder places (14.1%). ¾ The West Midlands region had 138,100 non childminder places in September 2007; the figure for childcare places on non domestic premises in June 2010 is 108,111 a reduction of 21.7%. Sandwell had a much lower reduction in non childminder places at 16.5 %.

28 ¾ Sandwell is ranked 11th out of the 14 West Midland local authorities for volume in childminders, this shows an improvement on the September 2007 ranking when Sandwell was 13th out of 14. ¾ For volume of overall childcare places Sandwell is ranked 8th out of the 14 West Midlands local authorities, this shows an improvement on the September 2007 ranking when Sandwell were 10th out of 14. ¾ Based on June 2010 data Sandwell is ranked 7th out of the 14 West Midlands Local Authorities for volume in childcare on non domestic premises.

It is reasonable to compare our current volume of registered childcare places against our statistical neighbours (appendix 3) as well what Sandwell childcare places volume were in September 2007 (appendix 4) .

Sandwell’s 10 statistical neighbours are, Barking & Dagenham, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Middlesborough, Nottingham City, Peterborough, and Stoke on Trent, Wolverhampton and Walsall.

¾ Sandwell is ranked 9th out of 11 for volume of childminder places, this shows an improvement on our September 2007 ranking when we were 10th ¾ For volume of overall childcare places Sandwell is ranked 6th out of 11, which shows an improvement on our September 2007 ranking when we were 7th. ¾ Based on June 2010 data Sandwell is ranked 4th out of 11 for childcare on non domestic premises.

Key Findings: These findings indicate that at England, West Midlands and Sandwell level there have been a decrease in the number of childminder places as well as overall childcare places.

That Sandwell has managed to retain more childcare places both for childminders and overall places when compared to the West Midlands as a whole and that Sandwell has improved on its ranking in volume of both childminder and overall childcare places within the West Midlands and against statistical neighbours.

29 Quality of Childcare Sandwell Early Years and Childcare Unit provide information, advice, support and training (The Retained Function) to the Early Years and Childcare workforce.

Information, Advice and Support includes the following: ¾ Early Years & Childcare sector career options ¾ Setting up childcare provision ¾ Sustainability of childcare provision ¾ Funding opportunities ¾ Child Protection concerns ¾ Ofsted registration and inspection

In order to develop or create high quality childcare it is essential that there are highly trained professional staff that is able to provide high quality childcare in a range of childcare settings.

The early years and childcare workforce in Sandwell consists of a number of different professions and includes qualified and unqualified staff. Childcare career pathways have traditionally attracted a predominantly female workforce.

In September 2009, there were179 childminders and 829 group care practitioners working in the Early Years and Childcare Sector in Sandwell. This is a 9% increase in the workforce from 2006/07, when the workforce was 917.

A Qualification Audit was conducted in September 2009, of which 65% of providers from group care responded, this identified the number of staff qualified at or working towards the following:

Achieved Working Towards Level 3 525 40 Level 4 49 40 Level 5 + 48 4

This indicates that at least 622 practitioners currently have a level 3 or above qualification (75% of group care workforce).

Training

Training is provided covering the following: ¾ Childminding ¾ Progression routes ¾ Mandatory training ¾ Continuing Professional Development short courses. ¾ Equality & Diversity ¾ Inclusive practices

Since September 2010, newly registered Childminders have been accessing a module of a new Level 3 Diploma as part of their introduction to

30 Childminding Practice Course. This module will provide credits towards a full Level 3 Diploma.

Graduate Leader Fund has provided opportunities for full day care settings to up skill employees in order for them to achieve Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications. 80 practitioners including Childminders have accessed the Graduate Leader initiative; they are currently progressing through Foundation Degrees, BA Honours and Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

Partnership working with the Regional Lifelong Learning Network, Aiming High Coordinator and Further/ Higher Education establishments has enabled the pilot of progression modules at Level 4 focusing on Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Business and Finance, with 42 practitioners accessing the SEN module. . Transitional modules were developed to support Early Years & Childcare Level 3 practitioners in accessing playwork qualifications at Level 3.

Childcare Choices sessions and Childminder Briefing sessions continue to be well attended as people assess their career options. According to Sandwell Childcare Choices Recruitment Database there are 1479 people registered under the Early Years and Childcare recruitment programme and 135 people are sent the email job bulletin as they are actively seeking employment within the sector. The following sessions have been delivered from January 2010 – October 2010:

3 Childcare choices sessions = 29 attendees 9 Childminding Briefings = 112 attendees 4 Introductory to Childminding Practice = 68 attendees

Delivery of the new Children’s Workforce qualification started in September 2010. The new Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma can be accessed by people wishing to enter Early Years & Childcare careers, Health and Social Care and Learning Support positions within Schools. The progression routes will differ dependent upon career choices but the qualification will remain as one.

Grant Funding In 2008, Capital Grant was allocated from the then Department for Children, Schools & Families now known as the Department for Education.

The grant had three aims:

1. To improve the quality of the learning environment in early years settings to support delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a particular emphasis on improving play and physical activities; and ICT resources 2. To ensure all children, including disabled children, are able to access provision 3. To enable Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI providers to deliver

31 the extension to the free offer for 3 and 4 year olds and to do so flexibly

In order to qualify for the grant settings had to demonstrate their commitment to quality and show how the resources would contribute to improving the quality of their learning environment for the children. Settings worked with staff from the Early Years & Childcare Unit to develop projects that would contribute to providing a high quality learning environment for children. Settings within the maintained and private and voluntary sector, which included nurseries, childminders and pre-schools applied for and accessed funding for a variety of purposes. The grant was utilised by settings in the following manner:

• To purchase resources that supported the EYFS, including ICT resources. • Improve the outdoor play area, to create a stimulating outdoor learning environment • To extend and reconfigure the layout of existing premises to provide a more flexible environment to support higher quality experiences for young children. • To develop and build a new nursery which will meet the needs of teenage parents and parents within the community. This new nursery will ensure that that the children benefit from high quality care.

35 settings were allocated funding with over 50 childcare providers being provided with ICT resources. By September 2010, 25 setting had accessed the funding which has enhanced the provision. ‘We know the children will benefit greatly from the opportunities available and both children and staff are very proud of their new outdoor area’. Local Childcare Provider

It is anticipated that all settings will have utilised their funding by 31st March 2011, this should make a significant positive contribution to the quality of childcare.

Equality & Inclusion Childcare settings have accessed a wide arrange of training and one to one support to improve equality and inclusion.

Equalities in the Early Years and Childcare Sector are audited through OFSTED reports, Early Childhood Environment Rating (ECERS) and the Local Authority Rag ratings. These audits have highlighted that a significant amount of settings will continue to require support and appropriate training to embed equality and inclusion in all aspect of their childcare settings.

Quality Improvement Strategy Sandwell Quality Improvement Strategy has been implemented over the past year. It provided a staged process designed to offer a clear measureable support package based on the individual needs of settings. Involved in this process are:

32 • Early Childhood Environment and Infant and Toddler Rating scales (ECERS/ITERS) which provides data around the environment and learning and development requirements • The Quality Audit Toolkit, designed in house to identify, support and guide with the Welfare Requirements legally required through the Early Years Foundation Stage. • Quality in Play assurance scheme for Out of School provision. 8 settings have been working through the process designed to support and enhance provision being offered in the Out of School Sector • Me2 quality assurance inclusion scheme, assessed by young people. 7 settings have been assessed under this scheme with positive impact.

This information is used to categorise settings at three levels: Low level support - where all areas are met Medium level support - where identified actions are highlighted High level support - where settings are allocated intensive support from the Early Years and Childcare Unit and Foundation Stage Team, including teachers linked to Children’s Centres.

Initial indications as of September 10, are as follows:

High

Medium Low

The categorisation process involves partnership working with Early Years Development Officers, Foundation Stage Team, Early Years Integrated Support Service, Equality Officer, Workforce Development Officer and Children’s Centre teachers.

Additional projects are available to support these outcomes, ‘Tunes for Toddlers, Creative Arts and Communication Projects such as Creative Story Telling and Interactions with Babies.

A small scale piece of research was undertaken to assess the impact of the Quality Audit Toolkit between September 2009 and April 2010. During this time, 9 of the settings received an Ofsted inspection. 3 had improved on previous Ofsted grade, 3 maintained and 3 were having first inspections. 8 were rated as Good by Ofsted and 1had a satisfactory outcome.

33 From September 2008 to September 2010, Ofsted undertook 57 Early Years Inspections, of these 28 are for childcare providers delivering Free Early Learning & Care (Nursery Education) and 29 were for other providers.

The pie chart below shows the outcomes for providers registered to offer Free Early Learning & Care places - Ofsted Early Years Inspection

28%

53%

11%

4% 4%

Good Inadequate 1 Inadequate 2 Outstanding Satisfactory (Source FIS database)

The pie chart below shows the outcome for other childcare Providers - Early Years Ofsted Inspections

31%

53%

10%

Good Inadequate 1 Inadequate 2 Outstanding Satisfactory

(Source FIS Database)

Ofsted inspection judgements are evidencing higher levels of good quality provisions.

Safeguarding practices are becoming more embedded into the sector as a result of producing effective guidance tools and delivering 12 training workshops. Ofsted have praised the knowledge of managers and practitioners when conducting inspections.

Case Study In September 2009 an Ofsted inspection was carried out in a specialist unit providing daycare to children 0-5 years, the outcome of which was an overall grade of inadequate. Ofsted identified several actions for improvement within a given time scale.

As a result of the inspection outcome a Team Around the Setting meeting was convened to coordinate a package of support for the setting and the specialist unit. This support was to be offered through the School Improvement Service, Governance Support and the Early Years and Childcare Unit.

Governance Support and the Secondary School Improvement partner addressed issues specific to the specialist unit. The Early Years and Childcare Unit were responsible for a package of support for EYFS.

This support involved reviewing safeguarding policy and practice, ensuring all nursery staff have received module 1 safeguarding training, delivering an EYFS overview session for the management committee, carrying out welfare requirements audit with nursery manager, support with monitoring and review cycle for nursery provision, support with observation and assessment and ensuring Self Assessment Form is completed in time for next inspection in September.

Intensive support began in November after an action plan had been agreed by the key support agencies involved. At the monitoring visit in February, Ofsted found that satisfactory progress was being made in addressing the issues for improvement.

ECERS and ITERS audit was carried out to assess progress made and establish what further support was needed. Action plans were drawn up and support was targeted accordingly.

In September 2010 Ofsted re-inspected the setting and rated it as good overall with elements of outstanding for the specialist unit. The nursery was recognised for their excellent safeguarding and also that ‘all adults within the setting have well developed knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage because of the effective training and support they have received’ (Ofsted 2010).

35 Extended Services Quality Assurance Sandwell is the only local authority that has developed a borough-wide approach for embedding quality into each of the 15 CoOPs. By using the nationally recognised Quality Assurance Framework, ‘Quality in Extended Services’ (QES) developed in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University each of the CoOPs is able to answer the following questions: • What impact do the services / activities have on children, young people and the community - ‘So what?’ • Is the CoOP offering a quality service? • Are they making a difference? • How do we know? • Does the CoOP offer value for money?

The Quality Assurance Framework has 3 stages of progressive assessment criteria- Emerged, Established and Advanced. In Sandwell, we have achieved the following: Emerged – all 15 CoOPs have achieved this level Established – 13 CoOPs have achieved this level

All CoOPs have developed a portfolio of evidence that includes testimonials from parents, pupils and head teachers, data on attendance, behaviour and case studies. Demonstrating the impact of extended services offered locally through CoOPs is at the heart of quality assurance.

This approach has meant that Sandwell leads the way in Quality Assurance of their Extended Services.

Childcare Providers view on Quality The below question was extracted from the questionnaires which were completed by childcare providers:

Thinking about the range of childcare that is available in your area how would you rate the quality of provisions?

The below pie chart shows the response to the question from childcare providers (excluding holiday playschemes)

Childcare Providers View of Quality (excluding holiday playscheme provider)

17.7% 18.7% Very Good 0.5% Good Neither good nor poor 2.5% Poor Very poor 12.1% No response

48.5%

36 The below pie chart shows the responses of holiday playscheme providers

Holiday Playscheme Providers View of Quality

18% 13% Very Good Good 8% Neither good nor poor Poor No response

18% 43%

Both pie charts indicates that more than 60 % of all childcare providers who responded rated childcare provisions as either very good or good.

Parents Views on Quality The below statement was extracted from the questionnaires which were completed by parents.

Please tell us how much you agree or disagree with the following statement, ‘the childcare is of good quality’.

Of the 1161 parents that responded to the questionnaire, 668 answered the question on quality, of those 90% either strongly agree or fairly agree (56% and 34% respectively) that ‘the childcare is of good quality’

1% 1% Strongly Agree 8% Fairly Agree

Neither agree nor 34% 56% disagree Fairly disgree

Strongly disagree

37 Key Findings:

¾ The Early Years and Childcare Unit provides a wide range of information, advice, support and training to the early years and childcare sector, which has supported the improvement of quality in the sector. ¾ Extended services have embedded quality in the services that they provide. ¾ The early years and childcare workforce is highly qualified with a significant number of practitioners with a Level 3 or above qualification. ¾ Equality and inclusion need to be further embedded in childcare provisions. ¾ The overall view of childcare is that it is of ‘good’ quality.

38 Analysis of Employers Questionnaire/Focus Group

Employers were consulted via a questionnaire (see appendix 5) as well as through focus groups (appendix 6)

500 questionnaires were mailed out to businesses in Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, West Bromwich and the Wednesbury area.

In total 64 completed questionnaires were returned and a further 8 were returned uncompleted as the companies had recently ceased trading due to the current economic climate.

A sample of 10 employers taken at random who did not respond to the questionnaire was contacted by telephone to identify why they had not responded. The reasons for this varied from “I did not have time to complete it”, “Childcare is not an issue for us”, “We have a predominantly male workforce” and “The workforce’s children are now grown up”.

The following are the main findings:

How many employees do you have? Number of employees Number of responses 0-10 12 11-50 26 51-100 11 101-199 10 200-499 2 500+ 3

Sandwell has one of the highest proportions of employees in medium sized workplaces (25-199) compared to other areas. This is reflected in the response rate of 26 completed questionnaires from businesses employing 11- 50 employees

From the responses received 26 employers have between 0 and 20% of female employees working for them. 17 have 21-40% of female staff, 5 have 41-60%, 6 have 61-80% and 10 have 81-100% working for them. However, 26 employers stated that their workforce consists of between 81% and 100% males.

With regards to having staff who worked less than 16 hour per week, just over 50% (31) of the employers who answered the question said that none of their staff worked less than 16 hours per week. 40% of employers have staff working less than 16 hours with one employer stating up to 14% of the workforce was doing this.

36% of employers operate shift pattern and 41% require staff to work weekends.

Q12a. Do you offer staff any form of childcare?

60 52 50 None

40 Childcare Vouchers 30 Childcare Information 20 8 Childcare Vouchers & 10 1 3 Childcare Information 0 None Childcare Childcare Childcare Vouchers Information Vouchers & Childcare Information

81% of employers who responded do not provide any form of childcare support.

(Q13a) Does a lack of childcare cause diificulties in recruiting staff?

60 55 50 40

30 Series1 20

10 5 4 0 Yes No Unsure

86% of employers in Sandwell do not feel that a lack of childcare causes difficulties in recruiting staff.

With the exception of one employer all the others indicated that their staff turnover is not affected by factors relating to childcare.

Just over 20% of employers indicated that employees needed either significant or small proportion of support with childcare during holidays and family emergencies.

Only 3 employers indicated that they had staff who did not return work after maternity leave, however 1 employer indicated that up to 90% of women who went on maternity leave did not return to work.

Also only 3 employers indicated that they had between 1-10 staff leaving due to difficulties associated with childcare.

(Q19) Are you aware of the FIS?

22%

Yes No

78%

A high percentage of Sandwell employers are not aware of the FIS (78%).

Only 23% of employers knew where to go to get information on childcare provision as opposed to 77% who did not. 75% of employers did not have a staff member with responsibility for supporting staff with childcare information.

With regards to work- life balance 63% of the employers who responded provided part time working; Almost 50% provided parental leave; adoption leave and paternity leave. Only a very small proportion of employers offered annualised hours; career break and sabbaticals. 22% would consider job- share and only 5% would consider term time working.

Feedback from Employer Focus Group The focus group sessions enabled employers to expand on questions asked in the questionnaire.

A total of sixty-six businesses were contacted via telephone, email and letter inviting them to attend the consultation meeting. Out of these three employers attended the session. Five requested face to face visits at their company; preferring to discuss the consultation process individually. Nine employers also opted for discussion via telephone interviews.

Ten questions were asked at all three consultation and the main findings are below:

Some of the challenges that business mentioned were, school holidays that these causes absenteeism as well as authorising annual leave to cover school holidays; parents being off work due to their child being sick, they also felt from April 2011 the sharing of maternity/paternity leave could be a challenge.

Employer’s views on the challenges that parents face were mainly around school holiday playschemes the availability of these; cost of childcare and finding childcare; childcare difficulty when children start secondary school; teacher training day and school closures as they have to use annual leave.

41 With regards to supporting staff with childcare arrangements, employers provided a range of support which included flexible working; childcare information; help with completing tax credit forms and family friendly policies.

When asked what type of childcare providers do staff uses, employers views were family members, childminders, day nurseries and out of school clubs.

When asked if staff had a choice of what type of childcare would they use, some felt that they used family because they don’t have to pay but would probably like to use childcare providers whilst others felt that parents were happy with their current arrangements.

When asked their views and perception on childcare, employers felt that childcare was expensive and not flexible enough.

With regards to recruitment and retention employers felt that their strengths were being flexible and having family friendly policies, on the other hand some employers felt that their weakness was not being flexible enough; shift pattern and only paying statutory sick pay.

Employer’s knowledge of local services was mainly of Jobcentre Plus; Family Information Service and local Children Centres.

When asked what extra support/ information they would find useful a wide range was mentioned which included FIS information; Employment Law information; childcare voucher information and maternity/paternity information.

Key findings:

¾ 36% of employers operate shift pattern and 41% require staff to work weekends. ¾ 81% of employers does not provide any form of childcare support ¾ 86% of employers do not feel that a lack of childcare causes difficulties in recruiting staff. ¾ 78% of employers are not aware of the FIS ¾ Employer’s views on childcare are that it is expensive, not very flexible and that school holidays can be challenging. ¾ Employers would benefit from a wide range of information and support with regards to childcare issues and family friendly policies

42 Feedback from Focus Groups (Parents/Carers and Children & Young People)

MEL Research Consultants undertook ten focus groups with Parents/Carers and also 10 focus groups with children and young people.

Parent Carer Focus Group

The parent carer focus groups were:

• Teenage Parents • Parents with Children with Disability • BME • Lone Parents • Economically Inactive Parent • Parents of Pre-School Children • Parents or Primary School Children • Parents of Secondary School Children • Fathers Group • Foster Carers

The groups discussed availability, cost, quality, accessibility and barriers to using childcare, the following are the main findings of the focus group (the full report is included as (Appendix 7)

Teenage Parents Teenage parents had issues around trust of using formal childcare; had a good knowledge of local services although were not aware of the FIS; felt the cost of childcare to be prohibitive and described feelings of discrimination, negative attitudes and stereotyping.

“They think we are all state scroungers, getting shed-loads of benefits and our pick of the best housing. That’s crap frankly. I love my child and I would love to get a job but it is not worth it financially to me – especially as I’ve got two now.”

Parents with Children with Disability This group of parents relies heavily on family members; have feelings of isolation; felt that things get more difficult as children get older and would like access to better information.

BME BME parents had a huge reliance on extended families for religious and cultural reasons; “It’s a cultural thing – the community expects the family to provide the care, to look after children so that parents can go to work or run a business”. They had a good understanding of availability of services but felt that the cost of childcare was an issue and that the financial support available was complex, they also had reservations about the quality of childcare.

43 Lone Parents This was a very small group of parents but expressed concerns of quality and the importance of good staff in the settings; was aware of local services but had concerns on the affordability and locations of provisions.

Economically Inactive Parent Some parents were very happy to stay at home as they had partners who worked; they felt childcare was available but that there were not enough affordable childcare; “I feel penalised when trying to get back to work – I’m no better off than looking after the children myself at home”. They also felt that the opening hours did not fit with working hours. Some parents expressed concerns around quality and trust some of which was based on media reports.

Parents of Pre-School Children This group of parents had good knowledge of availability of childcare and liked the flexibility of childminders in particular. They however felt that they need better quality of information from FIS and express concerns of quality with age of staff and staff turnover rate. They also expressed concerns around the availability of childcare for older children.

Parents of Primary School Children Parents took the view that they should look after their children and expressed concerns of children safety when being cared for by others; they had limited understanding as to what was available; although they did not use childcare they held the view that childcare was expensive and had limited knowledge of tax credits and in work benefits.

Parents of Secondary School Children Parents recognised that there has been improvement in the availability of childcare “there were few childcare options’ around here before Sure Start in the area – things have improved in the last 10 years in terms of availability”. They also felt that that childcare was of good quality but this could be at the expense of childcare being accessible; they had concerns around the cost of childcare and felt that there was a lack of financial support.

Fathers Group These fathers felt supported by children centres and had a good understanding of availability; they preferred childcare attached to schools and felt that the continuity of care is important in respect of quality; they felt that marketing materials could be improved. There was mixed awareness of financial support available.

Carers of Looked After Children Group The foster carer group was unique in that they are already carers; however they raised some pertinent issues such as: They felt that the majority of childcare was down to themselves to provide and that they were made to feel that they should not rely on external sources.

44 Checks and paperwork are required for leaving a child with someone else, this made access to services difficult for them and therefore childcare is provided within the family or other foster carer.

Children from school age upwards had some fantastic childcare opportunities such as holiday play schemes. However, there is little choice available for those children who are not of school age. The group also stated that there is a lack of provision of activities/groups to provide respite for carers of disabled children.

Cost of childcare is the other major barrier prohibiting carers from using childcare in the area. Foster carers do not get any monetary support to put towards childcare of the foster children. Unlike other parents and guardians, they do not get childcare grants or childcare tax credits.

Unlike the other groups consulted, the main issue on quality is that there is a lack of providers that meet the accreditation standards for fostered children.

Even if carers have access to childcare options and the finance to cover it, most are reluctant to use it because they worry too much when they leave them with others. “You are always on edge and wondering if they are behaving or being looked after properly.”

Key Findings: ¾ Parents require better quality of information ¾ Parents perceived that childcare was not always good quality ¾ Family Information Service to be better publicised ¾ Financial support towards childcare costs to be better publicised ¾ Working patterns - more flexible approach by employers and childcare providers opening hours extended

Children and Young People Focus Group The children and young people focus groups were: Children aged 2-4 years x 3 groups Children aged 5 -10 years x 3 groups Children and Young People aged 11- 14 x 2 groups Looked After Children and Young people x 1 group Children and Young people with disabilities x1 group

The groups discussed the following: How safe do they feel at their childcare provision? How happy are they to attend their childcare provision? Do they enjoy what they do at their childcare provision? Are there a wide range of activities that they can choose from? Are they attending because their parent/carer work/study or because of other reasons?

45 The full report is included as (Appendix 8)

Children aged 2 to 4 years The children in this age range were happy to attend their nursery or playgroup; the children from the day nursery attended mainly because parents worked, those from the playgroup attended mainly to get them prepared for school. The children enjoyed a wide range of activities including inside and outside play, singing and having snacks. The children had choice in what they had to eat and the activities that they did.

Children aged 5-10 years Most children attended the before and after school clubs because their parent/carer worked. Children attending both clubs were generally happy to attend their club and enjoyed the range of activities that was available and also the effort that staff went to prepare some of the activities. The children had a choice in what they eat and what activities they took part in.

“It’s brilliant. I can jump around and play games with my mates. We chase each other with swords when we play pirates. We can also make tents.”

There were mixed messages on being consulted as the children felt that they didn’t always get what they requested.

Children and Young People aged 11 to 14 years

Most children and young people attended because their parents worked. Both groups enjoyed the activities that were provided although they would like more choice. “I’d like to see the opportunity made available for learning how to cook- it doesn’t happen in school anymore. An art club would be good too”. Whilst one group felt that they were consulted and had a say the other group felt that although consultation took place communication was an issue. For one group it was important that they had separate activities for boys and girls because of their religion/culture. The young people in both group indicated that they felt safe in the school but the young people from one school in particular felt very vulnerable when they were out and about.

Looked After Children and Young People Some of the children had experience of after school care when they were younger and some still had involvement in summer playschemes. This group of children and young people felt that the activities were ok but would like some sort of informal learning -first aid or food hygiene as this might help them to get a job others placed an emphasis on leisure activities i.e. theme park, zoos, museums. The children and young people mentioned that they were used to being consulted but felt that they were not consulted about the summer playscheme.

This group of children identified that there was the possibility of funding cuts and felt that they should be consulted on what were their priorities.

46 Children and Young people with Disabilities All of the participants insisted that their disability did not prevent them from taking part in a range of provisions currently available. “I really believe that we should have the same right as other kids to take part in things, even though we might need some help.”

Generally the young people in the group were satisfied with they type of provisions that was available to them in school. They were well informed of what activities were taking place.

The young people in the group indicated that they had very little pre-school care; the view was that their families – particular mum – were sometimes reluctant to let anyone else ‘do the caring.’

The young people were aware of being consulted but it was difficult to evidence if any suggestions were acted on.

Key Findings: ¾ Most children are happy with the choice and range of activities and food/snack provided ¾ Most children attend childcare because their parent work ¾ Although all groups mentioned that they were consulted, some groups felt there were issues with communicating the outcome of the consultations.

Analysis of Childcare Providers Questionnaire

There are 519 providers on the FIS database of these 236 completed the provider questionnaires (Appendix 9 and10). Not all providers who completed the questionnaire responded to all of the questions and they could tick more than one answer to some questions.

Please note that questions pertaining to Free Early Education & Care (Nursery Education) and Childcare for Children with Disability/Special Educational Needs (SEN) are covered in their own sections.

The main findings are detailed below:

Childcare Providers by type who responded:

1% 16% 23% Childminder Day Nursery Playgroup 16% Out of School - Before Out of School - After Holiday Playschemes 26% Creche 10% 8%

The most responses were received from day nursery providers (26%), followed by childminders (23%) a similar amount of after school providers and holiday playscheme providers responded. The least amount of questionnaires was completed by crèches.

Average weeks opened by providers:

Provider type Average no. of weeks opened Childminder 48 Day Nursery 50 Playgroup 39 Out of school -Before 38 Out of School - After 38 Holiday Playscheme 10 Crèche No answer

48 The above table indicates that day nurseries tend to offer more weeks of childcare than childminders. On average holiday playscheme providers offer childcare 10 of the 13 weeks that schools are closed.

Of the providers who responded to the questionnaire only 2 providers were not registered with Ofsted as they are not required to do so.

Places Available Working to a lower number Provider type % working to lower no. Childminder 45% Day Nursery 32% Playgroup 45% Out of school -Before 43% Out of School - After 35% Holiday Playscheme 21% Crèche 100%

The above table indicates that over two fifths of the childminders, playgroups and before schools clubs work to a lower number, whilst only one fifth of playschemes did so. However, approximately one third of the day nurseries and after school club indicated that they also work to lower numbers. All of the crèche providers indicated that they work to a lower number.

Place allocated by age range From the information provided we have been able identify what percentages of places are allocated by age range.

1% 100% 3% 3% 5% 6%

90% 15%

80% 40% 31% 42% 46% 47% 70% 27% 65% 14 to 17 60% 11 to 14 8 to 10 50% 5 to 7 30% 3 to 4 40% 32% 43% 2 or less 46% 30% 40% 51% 20% 35% 30% 25% 10% 18% 9% 9% 0% Childminder Day Nursery Playgroup Out of School - Out of School - Holiday Creche Before After Playschemes

49 The above graph shows that Childminders allocate a quarter of their places to children age 2 or under, whilst day nursery allocates half of their places and playgroups approximately one third.

On the other hand, playgroups allocate approximately two thirds of their places to 3 to 4 years old, whilst day nursery allocate just under a half, with childminders allocating just under a third.

Before school clubs, after school clubs and holiday playschemes allocate approximately two fifths of their places to age 5 to 7, whilst childminders allocate just over a quarter of places.

Both before school clubs and after school clubs allocate just over two fifths of places to children aged 8 to 10 years whilst holiday playschemes allocate just under one third.

Plans to increase places The majority of childcare providers indicated that they do not intend to increase their childcare places, however playgroups and the out of school sector are the ones most likely to increase places if extra resources were available.

Vacancies The survey seems to indicate that holiday playschemes (68%) and day nurseries (60%) are the providers with the most vacancies. A quarter of childminders indicated that they had vacancies.

When asked to describe their vacancies by age:

Of those providers who offer care to 2 and under, they indicated that they either have vacancies on occasions (35%) or fill them straight away (33%) with nearly 54% of playgroups filling there places straight away.

With regards to 3-4 year old, playgroups (61%) fill them straight way. However childminders (40%) and day nursery (48%) have vacancies on occasions. The providers who either always have or usually have vacancies are before school clubs (70%) holiday playschemes (69%) and after school clubs (55%).

Two thirds of childminders who cares for children aged 5-7 years indicate that they either have vacancies on occasion or fill them straight away. On the other hand, 63% of before school clubs and approximately 50% of after school clubs and holiday playscheme either always have or usually have vacancies.

With regards to vacancies for children 8-10 years 59% of childminders and 51% of after school clubs indicated that they have on occasion or usually fill them. Whilst 60% of before school clubs and 55% of holiday playscheme indicated that they always have or usually have vacancies.

50 Nearly two thirds of playschemes indicated that for the 11-14 age group they have vacancies on occasion or fill them straight way, however all other providers who answered this question indicated that they tend to always have or usually have vacancies for this age range.

With regards to children age 11-14 (disabled children) 70% of all providers who responded to the question indicated that they always or usually have vacancies.

Availability and Flexibility Over 90% of childminders indicated that they offer childcare for more than 7 hours per day. As much as 78% of day nursery and 63% of holiday playschemes open for 8-10 hours per day. 40% of Playgroup opens between 2-3 hours with a further 50% opening for longer hours. As to be expected majority of breakfast club open for less than 2 hours whilst over 50% of after school clubs opening for 2-3 hours and all the others are opened for longer hours.

However, over 92% of providers indicated that they did not have plans to increase their hours.

In general childminders and day nurseries provide a wide range of flexibility to book sessions ranging from all day; early/or late sessions; mornings or afternoon and half days am or pm. Majority of playgroups provide either a morning or afternoon session however 25% also offer lunchtime sessions. Just over 78% of Holiday playschemes offer all day sessions and over a third offer half day sessions.

Although, over three quarters of holiday playschemes indicated that they could book irregular pattern of usage across the day and the week only 45% indicating that they could book across the year. However, over two thirds of childminders and before school clubs and over half of day nurseries and after school clubs indicated that they could book irregular patterns of usage across the day, week and year.

Significantly, childminders are the only type of childcare provider who can provide care for parents who work shift pattern or night shift with just over 52% providing care from 6am to 2pm although this falls to just over 29% for 2pm to 10pm and to just over 14% for night shift.

51 Fees CHILDCARE CHARGES BY PROVIDER AND AGE GROUP (MEAN AVERAGE BASED ON RESPONSES)

PROVISION RATE 2 or less 3 to 4 5 to 7 8 to 10 11 to 14 14 to 17 Hourly £3.21 £3.19 £3.19 £3.19 £3.18 £3.22 Session £22.00 £22.00 £17.67 £17.67 £20.50 £16.00 Daily £26.05 £26.13 £25.00 £25.00 £24.56 £27.20 Weekly £133.33 £133.33 £133.33 £133.33 £137.50 £137.50 Unsociable £4.47 £4.47 £4.47 £4.64 £4.46 £4.46 Child Minder (55) Overnight £33.33 £33.33 £33.33 £33.33 £33.33 £30.00 Hourly £6.23 £6.04 £5.37 NR NR NR Session £23.16 £22.67 £18.75 NR NR NR Daily £38.56 £36.65 £23.20 £8.50 NR NR Weekly £149.16 £144.34 £125.63 NR NR NR Monthly £595.67 £554.00 NR NR NR NR Day Nursery (60) Unsociable £7.63 £7.63 £5.00 NR NR NR Hourly £0.50 £2.61 NR NR NR NR Session £2.95 £3.71 NR NR NR NR Daily £16.50 £16.50 NR NR NR NR Playgroup (20) Weekly £82.50 £82.50 NR NR NR NR Hourly NR £3.00 £2.79 £2.79 £2.83 NR Session NR £4.06 £5.15 £5.15 £4.13 NR Daily NR £4.05 £4.05 £4.05 £12.50 NR OOS- Before (23) Weekly NR £17.50 £17.50 £17.50 £17.50 NR Hourly NR £4.75 £3.91 £4.00 £2.00 NR Session £6.00 £7.77 £7.60 £6.37 £7.70 NR Daily NR £5.83 £5.83 £5.83 NR NR OOS- After (37) Weekly NR £34.00 £41.67 £41.67 £41.67 NR Hourly £5.58 £5.41 £4.32 £2.00 NR Session £16.23 £14.08 £12.95 £8.50 £3.50 Daily £5.58 £5.41 £4.32 £2.00 NR Weekly £82.85 £87.81 £74.92 £63.60 NR

Holiday Daily £28.00 £28.00 £28.00 NR NR NR Playschemes (38) Weekly £130.00 NR £125.00 NR NR NR

The above table shows that in general childminders charge less for under 5’s than day nurseries. The average weekly cost of childcare for under 5 childminder is £ 133.33 and the average weekly cost at a day nursery is £149.15 for an under 2 and £144.34 for 3 to 4 year olds.

The average weekly cost for playgroups is £82.50.

With regards to before and after school the average weekly cost for before school is £17.50 and for after school this ranges from £34 to £41.67 depending on the age of the child. The average weekly cost for a 5 to 7 year old at a holiday playscheme is £125.00

Plans to increase fees in next 12 months

200

15 0 Yes 10 0 No 50

0 Yes No

Only 19% of childcare provider intends to increase fees in the next 12 months.

80% of parents provide information to parents on the childcare element of Working tax Credits.

Approximately 90% of childcare providers indicated that they have places which the childcare element of the working tax credit or other government initiatives could be used. Of these, 71% indicated that all places could be used for the childcare element of the working tax credit or other government initiatives. A further 16% claim that more than half of their places could be use for the childcare element of working tax credit or other government initiatives.

45% of childcare providers experience difficulties with fee payment because of parent’s inability to pay.

Views on the Childcare Market Two thirds of all childcare providers who responded rate childcare provisions as either of very good or good quality.

Childcare providers also rated as very good or good the location and accessibility of childcare provisions (71%) range of or choice in providers (61%) suitability of opening times (60%). However, less than half of childcare providers rated the number of places (49%) and flexibility of provision (47%) as good or very good.

Over two thirds of childcare providers indicated that provisions were very good or good for working families and over 46% felt it was very good or good for low income families and families seeking work. However only 32% felt that childcare provision were very good or good for disabled children.

Future Plans Support required In order to meet future plans over 50% of the providers who responded indicated that they needed support. Most providers indicated that they needed some support with staff training (72%) and advice on needs of specific group of children (70%). When asked to indicated what other types of

53 support they would require the most common support mentioned were funding and general information, advice and guidance.

Plans to continue to provide childcare

For how long do you expect to continue to provide childcare?

4.66% No reply 1.27% Less than 12 months 8.05% Next 2 years 3 to 5 years

More than 5 years 22.46%

63.56%

The above pie chart indicates that over 63% of providers intend to continue to provide childcare for more than 5 years with a further 22% intending to continue for at least the next 3 to 5 years.

Key Finding: ¾ Childcare providers may work to a lower number than they are registered to care for. ¾ Childcare providers do not intend to increase their places. ¾ The out of school sector i.e. before school, after school and holiday playschemes are more likely to have vacancies. ¾ There are limitations with provisions to meet the needs of parents who work shift patterns. ¾ In general, childcare providers views of the childcare market is very good or good. However just under a third of respondents felt it was very good or good for disabled children, 31% did not give a response to this questions and a further 20% felt it was neither good nor poor. ¾ Childcare providers need support with training, advice on specific groups of children, general information, advice and guidance as well as funding advice. ¾ A high proportion of childcare providers will continue to offer provisions in the long term.

54 Sandwell’s Supply and Demand of Childcare

Demographic Data

Total Population 291000 Population of 0-14 57400 Families in receipt of 40580 child benefit Lone Parents 14,530 Ethnicity White 74.61% (adult) BME 25.39% Ethnicity by White 53.17% school age BME 46.83% children Out of work benefit 34835 recipient

Sandwell population has risen from 282,884 to 291,000 since the previous CSA was completed in 2007; nearly 20% of the population is 0-14 years of age.

Approximately 5% of the population are lone parents who have a dependent child.

Sandwell is a multi-cultural and diverse borough with just over 25% (1 in 4) of the population from an ethnic minority background.

Nearly 12% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits.

Supply of Childcare The data below is taken from the FIS database, places by age is not always known therefore the places are allocated according to how providers indicated that they allocated places from the childcare provider questionnaire. (Appendix 11)

Sandwell Places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 206 264 223 124 8 825 Day Nurseries 1363 1230 80 0 0 2673 Playgroups 225 417 0 0 0 642 Before School 0 102 457 536 58 1153 After School 0 174 889 811 58 1932 Holiday Play 0 277 662 477 92 1508 scheme Crèche 46 46 61 0 0 153 TOTAL 1840 2510 2372 1948 216 8886 (Source: Sandwell Family Information Service: October 2010) Childcare places differ from Ofsted Data in the Comparative Section due to the different dates- June 2010, and also not all places have to be registered with Ofsted.

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Place: Children range places (approx) 0-2 13600 1840 1:7 3-4 8100 2510 1:3 5-7 11100 2372 1:5 8-10 10300 1948 1:5 11-14 14300 210 1:68

Vacancies Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire. Sandwell Providers views Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 227 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 370 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 96 away away Before School 161 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 374 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 898 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 20 86

Main findings from Childcare Provider Questionnaires ¾ Most providers indicated that they work to a lower number than registered for. ¾ Majority of providers indicated that they do not intend to increase their childcare places. ¾ The out of school club sector is most likely to have vacancies – the over 5 year olds. Childcare places for under 2 are usually filled or only have vacancies on occasions. ¾ Majority of childcare providers would not be able to support parents who work shift patterns or nights.

Extended Services Feedback All of the Coops’ work with key partners in their locality to provide an extensive range of activities for the families in their area.

Breakfast clubs and after school clubs are very popular and are delivered in across the CoOP’s. Most CoOps ensures that outside of term times children access holiday provisions. A wide range of after school activities are provided such as music; gymnastics; football; dance; homework clubs art and drama.

Parents and children are consulted to ensure that the services that are delivered meet their needs.

Demand for Childcare The demand for childcare is based on the responses from the questionnaire that was distributed to parents (appendix 11) and from the parents focus groups (appendix 7) as well as unmet demand recorded on the FIS Database. The number of returned questionnaires was 1161; the respondents did not answer all of the questions and could tick more than one answer for some questions.

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15

The demography of the respondents is as follows:

Gender: Aged Disability Lone parents Ethnicity between 30-39 years 92% female 48% 4% 23% 65% white 8% male background and 35% BME Employed/self Unemployed Standard Work outside In the employed working day – standard Armed 8am to 6pm working day Forces and weekends 60% 14% 42% 26% 6 The following was identified about their partners: 81% had a partner who was employed or self employed and 12% had an unemployed partner. 22% had a partner who worked outside of a standard working day and a further 18% had partners who work weekends. 11 have a partner in the armed forces.

Finding of parents questionnaire:

Age of child Parents were asked to indicate their child’s age, the children age range from under 1 year to 14 years, no parent indicated that they had a child that was older than 14. The majority of children were 12+ (13%), and the next highest age range was 5 years (10%) and 2 years (10%).

57 Do you currently use childcare? Of the 1158 respondents who answered this question 731 (63%) currently use childcare and 427 (37%) do not use childcare.

Use of Childcare Options The respondents were able to indicate more than one answer; More than half (57%) indicated that they had one or more children using family or friends as their childcare option. Most respondents who use family and friends indicated that their main reasons for doing so is childcare costs are high and because of trust.

However, 25% indicated that they had one or more children using after school activities and 23% had one or more children using day nursery. The type of provision which respondents indicated that they use least were nanny/home childcarer 3% and childminders 8%.

What are your main reasons for using childcare? 71% of respondents (683) indicated employment, 7% are studying and 27% uses childcare for other reasons.

Where is your childcare located? Of the 690 respondents 85% uses childcare in Sandwell, 5% outside of Sandwell and 10% uses a mixture of both

Help with Childcare Cost

Childcare Tax Credit 1% 14 % Childcare Vouchers 1%

Employer 18 % Cont ribut ion

66% Care t o Learn

Other

The above chart shows that 66% of parents who responded get help with childcare cost from the childcare element of the working tax credit.

However, of the 85% who indicated that they access childcare in Sandwell nearly 60% are receiving childcare element of the working tax credit.

Level of Satisfaction 679 respondents answered the following on level of satisfaction:

66% or more of the respondents indicated that they either strongly agree or fairly agree that they are satisfied with current childcare arrangements; that the childcare is of good quality; childcare is well located; childcare caters for child’s needs; travel or transport to childcare is not a problem; childcare arrangements are reasonable.

58 However, 25% or more indicated that they either strongly disagree or fairly disagree that there is a good choice of local childcare, childcare is good value for money and that childcare cost is reasonable.

Reason for not using Childcare Of the 778 respondents to this question 44% indicated that there reason for not using childcare is because they are not working and 19% indicated that they choose not to use childcare.

Have any of the following reasons prevented you or your partner from working/training? 56% of the 580 respondents cited the cost of childcare as their reason with 28% citing no suitable employment available that fits in with childcare provision and a further 26% mentioned childcare unable to cover work/training hours.

Childcare usage over the next 3 years: The below table shows that of the 1109 respondents just under a half (46%) will use childcare for 3 years or less, whilst a further 20% expect to use childcare in the next 3 years. Just over a third does not use childcare and not expected to do so.

Use childcare now and w ill use for 3 years or less 34% Not us ing 46% childcare but w il do w ithin 3 years

not using 20% childcareand don’t expect to w ithin 3 years

22% of respondents with a 5 year old child use childcare now and expect to do so over the next 3 years; 22 % of parents with a child who is 2 year old expect to use childcare for less than 3 years and 27% of respondents with a child under 1 years old and not currently not using childcare would expect to use childcare in the next 3 years.

The below table shows that: Of those who are employed 61% currently use childcare and will do so for up to 3 years and would require after school club and family/friends. Of those who are unemployed 43% expect to use childcare in the next 3 years And would require after school clubs and family/friends

59 Of those who are in training/education 49% will continue to use childcare for up to 3 years and will require after school clubs and after school activities. 52% who are retired or looking after the home and 47% of others do not expect to use childcare for at least the next 3 years. However, of those who are retired/looking after the home and require childcare in the next 3 years they would require pre-school playgroup.

Use Do not use Do not use Type of childcare childcare childcare and Childcare and will do but will do do not expect they would for up to 3 in next 3 to use in the require years years next 3 years Employed (659) 61% 13% 26% After school club; family friend Unemployed (151) 28% 43% 29% After school club/family friends Training/Education 49% 37% 14% After school (35) club and after school activities Retired/looking after 21% 25% 52% Pre-school the home (263) playgroup Other (34) 31% 21% 47% After school activities

Type of childcare likely to use over the next 3 years The respondents (721) were able to indicate more than one answer; the types of childcare which most respondents indicated are family and friend (50%), after school activities (37%) after school club (36%) and breakfast club (32%).

Where would you go to find out about childcare? Respondents are able to indicate more than one answer. However, the most ticked answers were schools (49%) followed by Internet (45%) friend/relative (40%) and FIS (34%).

Adequate Information made Available When asked if you think that adequate information is made available about the type of childcare provision/other services /activities for children and families, the below pie chart shows that more than one third (37%) indicated that adequate information was not available, with one third indicating that it was whilst 30% responded that they did not know.

60 30% 33% Yes No Don’t know

37%

Preference to Access Information Respondents were able to indicate more than one answer; the most popular methods were post (65%) face to face 36% and Internet 33%.

Main Findings of Parent Questionnaire: ¾ High usage of family/friends to meet childcare needs. ¾ Main reason for using childcare is employment ¾ Majority of parents childcare is in Sandwell ¾ Indications are that there is a good take up of the childcare element of the working tax credit. ¾ More than two third are satisfied with childcare although there is some level of dissatisfaction with choice and cost of childcare ¾ Cost of childcare and employment that fits in with childcare provisions is cited as reasons for not returning to work/training. ¾ Only a third of respondents indicated that they do not currently use childcare and will not be doing so in the next 3years. ¾ Indications are that family/friends; after school activities and before and after school clubs are the types of childcare that will be required over the next 3 years. ¾ Most respondents find out about childcare through schools. ¾ Respondents were unsure about receiving adequate information on childcare and other services/activities with similar proportion indicating yes, no and don’t know.

Main finding of Parents/carers Focus Group: ¾ Parents require better quality of information ¾ Family Information Service to be better publicised ¾ Financial support to be better publicised ¾ Childcare providers does not always meet working hours

Main Findings of children & Young People Focus Group: ¾ Most children are happy with the choice and range of activities and food/snack provided ¾ Most children attend childcare because their parent work ¾ Although all groups mentioned that they were consulted, some groups felt there were issues with communicating the outcome of consultations.

61 Unmet demand – FIS database

CoOP No of unmet Reasons Unmet School demand Pick up West Bromwich 5 No childminders Grove Vale North with vacancies Cradley Heath 4 No childminders Rowley 1 No crèche for baby whilst studying Smethwick Cape 2 Holiday schemes Hill for young children Oldbury South 4 School collection St Phillip West Bromwich 3 No childcare Newtown Primary Central whilst studying and cost of childcare Harvills Hateley 4 Not suitable times Heath Tipton North 2 Holiday playschemes Wednesbury 3 Holiday North playschemes

Overall Key Findings: ¾ Some level of dissatisfaction with choice of childcare ¾ Cost of childcare is seen as a barrier to returning to work/training. ¾ The times that childcare is available does not meet with working patterns. ¾ Family/friends; after school activities and before and after school clubs are the types of childcare that will be required over the next 3 years. ¾ However, there is a 11% and 19% vacancy level in the before school and after school clubs respectively. ¾ High usage of schools for childcare information. ¾ FIS to focus on how they engage with families and how families can access the FIS.

Gaps identified Time Gap – childcare to meet the needs of working/training times

Information Gap- Raise awareness of FIS so that parents can access childcare information to ensure that they receive comprehensive, accurate and up to date information.

To provide parents with information on help with childcare cost as childcare cost is seen as a barrier

62 Supply and Demand for Free Early Learning & Care (Nursery Education)

Free Early Learning & Care is a free entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds. Since September 2010, there have been some significant changes in the way free early learning and care can be accessed:

¾ An increase in the number of hours from 12.5 hrs to 15 hrs ¾ More flexibility in the delivery, providing parents with a greater choice in the number of days and length of time that their child access nursery education.

Demographic Data The graph below shows that there has been a sharp increase in the birth rate in Sandwell from 2005 to 2008. Since 2008, there have been no significant increased with the birth rate levelling off. The overall birth rate increase since 2005 has been 12%.

Bir th r ate

4800

4600

4400

4200

4000

3800 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

The below table shows when children are born and when they are entitled to nursery education:

Birth Data Year Entitled to Nursery Education 2007/8 2010/11 2008/9 2011/12 2009/10 2012/13

It is worth noting that the following CoOP’s have had 17% or more increase in the birth rate in the period 2005 to 2010 (Appendix 12) : Friar Park 45%; Oldbury North 22%; Tividale 44%; Smethwick South25%; South Tipton 24% ; Smethwick Capehill 17% and West Bromwich North.

However the following CoOp’s have had 3% or less increase in the birth rate in the period 2005 to 2010 (Appendix12): Cradley 2%; Oldbury South; Rowley 3%; Tipton North -12%; Wednesbury North 3% and West Bromwich Central 2%.

Supply of Free Early Learning (Nursery Education) There is a good mix of free early learning providers in Sandwell, September 10 data shows that there are 86 schools in the maintained sector and 72 providers in the private and voluntary sector which includes day nurseries, pre-school playgroups and childminders. FREE 42

Places Provided by Maintained Providers (schools) by Core-Offer Partnership – January 2010

Nursery Capacity Sep-09 Jan-10 Birth Data (2005/06 & CoOP AM PM P.T.E F.T.E 2006/07) NOR Surplus NOR Surplus Cradley Heath 180 180 360 180 565 178 50.56% 218 39.44% Friar Park 151 151 302 151 338 133 55.96% 180 40.40% Harvills & Hateley Heath 98 98 196 98 405 124 36.73% 167 14.80% Oldbury North 184 184 367 184 650 232 36.78% 312 14.99% Oldbury South 65 65 130 66 235 80 38.46% 70 46.15% Rowley Regis 249 249 498 249 963 379 23.90% 405 18.67% Smethwick Cape Hill 266 257 523 266 668 258 50.67% 323 38.24% Smethwick North 135 135 270 135 518 141 47.78% 238 11.85% Smethwick South 163 154 308 163 546 264 14.29% 288 6.49% Tipton North Core 173 173 346 173 496 151 56.36% 210 39.31% Tipton South Core 228 228 456 228 663 276 39.47% 342 25.00% Tividale Core 86 99 185 93 377 110 40.54% 151 18.38% Wednesbury North 122 135 257 129 317 204 20.62% 216 15.95% West Bromwich Central 337 337 674 337 891 329 51.19% 429 36.35% West Bromwich North 233 233 475 233 897 330 30.53% 414 12.84% Total 2670 2678 5347 2685 8529 3189 35.59 3963 25.88% PTE= part time Equivalent FTE= Full time equivalent

When the data was gathered for the 2007 CSA, there were 5314 part time places in the maintained sector with number on roll at 3427 a surplus of 35.5%. The 2010 data shows there is less than 1% increase in places available, the number on roll has increased by 13% and the surplus places have decreased to 25.88%.

Feedback from Schools Information gathered by the Early Years Foundation Stage Team in September /October 10, indicates that all schools who deliver free early learning offered this for at least 38 weeks of the year. Most schools indicated that they offer 15 hours per week, however, most schools are rated as low flexibility because they tend to offer 3 hours x am or pm sessions x 5 days per week.

64 Places Provided by Private and Voluntary Providers by Core-Offer Partnership – January 2010

CoOP Total Cradley Heath CoOP 64 Friar Park CoOP 30 Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP 40 Oldbury North CoOP 101 Oldbury South CoOP 138 Rowley CoOP 74 Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP 62 North Smethwick CoOP 60 Smethwick South CoOP 78 Tipton North CoOP 24 Tipton South CoOP 54 Tividale CoOP 21 Wednesbury North CoOP 90 West Bromwich Central CoOP 95 West Bromwich North CoOP 88 Grand Total 1019 (Source EMS database Jan10)

When the data was gathered for the 2007 CSA there were 503 places in the Private and Voluntary sector the above data shows an increase of over 100% in the places provided in the private and voluntary sector.

The following are the main finding from the childcare providers (private and voluntary) questionnaire which was completed in April/May 2010, regarding Free Early Learning:

¾ From those who responded to the questionnaire only 3 childminders, 52 day nurseries and 11 playgroups answered yes to offering free early learning.

¾ 1 childminder and 2 day nurseries indicated that parents cannot access just the free early learning.

¾ With regards to the delivery of the free early learning flexibility by September 2010: As well as the previous 3 childminders a further 2 childminders intend to offer free early learning for 15 hours flexibly. 26 of the day nurseries were currently offering the free early learning flexibly and the other 26 would be doing so from September 2010. With regards to pre-school playgroup 11 were offering free early learning, 5 of which was already offering 15 hours flexibly a further 5 intended to do so by September 2010.

65 Demand for Free Early Learning (Nursery Education)

The following findings are based on the parent questionnaire (appendix11).

Main Finding:

Are you likely to access nursery education for a child in the next 3 years? Of the 1126 parents who responded to this question 46% indicated that they would be likely to access nursery education in the next 3 years.

Over a half of the parents in South Tipton and Smethwick South CoOP’s and over two thirds of parents in Smethwick North and Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP’s indicated that they would require nursery education for their child/children in the next 3 years. On the other hand the lowest demand seems to be from respondents in Tipton North and Wednesbury North CoOP’s.

How many days per week would your like your child to receive free nursery education?

5% 14%

2days 6% 3 days 4 days 5 days 75%

Of the 499 parents who answered the questions, 75% of parents indicated that they would like their child to access nursery education over 5 days.

With the exception of Smethwick South and Friar Park CoOP’s all other CoOP’s had more than 75% of parents indicating they would access nursery education over 5 days. Parents in Smethwick South and Friar Park CoOP’s would access over 3 days 33% and 29% respectively.

Of the 483 respondents, 65% of parents indicated that they would prefer to access nursery education term time only for 15 hours per week as oppose to 35% who would like to access all year round at reduced weekly hours.

Friar Park CoOP is the only area where more than 50% of parents would like to access nursery education all year round at reduced weekly hours.

When asked what times would best meet theirs or their child’s need for the delivery of nursery education 46% preferred 8am to 6pm whilst 54% preferred between 9am and 4pm.

Over 60% of parents in West Bromwich North, Smethwick South and Tividale CoOP’s have indicated they preferred 8am to 6pm. Over three quarters of parents in Harvills and Hateley Heath CoOP (89%) and Friar Park CoOP (79%) indicated they would prefer 9am to 4pm.

Preference for use When asked where they would like their child to access nursery education, respondents were able to give more than one response; the most ticked responses were for: 3 years olds - Nursery (92%) Pre-school Playgroup (90%) 4 years old – School (66%) Accredited childminder (42%)

Overall Key Findings: ¾ There has been a significant increase in the birth rate since 2005, although since 2008 this seems to have levelled off. ¾ The surplus in the maintained sector has decreased by approximately 10% and the take up in the private and voluntary sector have increase by over 100%, this is most likely due to the increase in birth rate since 2005. Sandwell has been delivering the Free for 2 project since 2006 and this has impacted on the transition of 2 year old children into free early learning & care. The number of places available for nursery education and the birth rate needs to be regularly monitored to ensure that there is sufficiency of places. ¾ The parent questionnaire indicated that most parents would use day nursery and pre-school playgroup for 3 year olds and schools for 4 year olds. ¾ Data shows that Tividale CoOP has had a birth rate increase of 44% and the surplus in the maintained sector is just over 18%, in 2007 the surplus was just over 38%. The number of places in the private and voluntary sector has gone up to from 12 places in 2007 to 21 places in 2010. This CoOP will need to be monitored to ensure sufficiency of nursery education places. ¾ Also, the surplus in the Smethwick South CoOP in January 2010 was just under 6.50 % whilst in 2007 the surplus was just under 16.5%. The number of places in the private and voluntary sector has gone up from 37 places in 2007 to 78 in 2010. In this CoOp there was a birth rate increase of 25% since 2005. Over 50% of parents in this CoOP who responded to the questionnaire indicated that they would need nursery education in the next 3 years. This is also another CoOP that will need to be monitored to ensure there is sufficient Nursery Education Places. ¾ With regards to Friar Park, the surplus places in the maintained sector are just over 40% and the birth rate has increased by 45%. Places in the private and voluntary sector have increased from 12 in 2007 to 30 in 2010. Also, over 50% of parents in this CoOP have indicated that they would like nursery education all year round, 29% would like to use nursery education 3 days per week and 79% would like nursery education between 9am and 4pm. Within this CoOP their maybe a

67 demand in the private and voluntary sector to meet the needs of parents who wish to access nursery education all year round. ¾ The data also shows that Oldbury North has had a birth rate increase of 22% and the surplus in the maintained sector is just under 15%. The number of places in the private and voluntary sector has increased from 49 in 2007 to 101 places in 2010. ¾ The data also shows that West Bromwich North has had a birth rate increase of 17% and the surplus in the maintained sector is just under 13%. The number of places in the private and voluntary sector has increased from 68 in 2007 to 88 places in 2010. ¾ The maintained sector needs to be encouraged and supported to offer nursery education more flexibly to meet the needs of parents.

Gaps Identified

Geographical Gap - Friar Park, Tividale, Oldbury North, Smethwick South and West Bromwich North may not have sufficient places to meet demand. Time Gap- Friar Park may require nursery education all year round.

Childcare Needs of Specific Groups

Families with Children who have Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Demography As detailed in the Children and Families Section of the document the following is best estimate of children with SEND:

¾ The Early Years SEND Register shows there are 171 children under the age of 5. Rowley CoOP had the majority of children with just over 14.5%.

¾ The EMS database showed there are 1022 children school age children.

¾ Information gathered indicated that there are 1719 children in receipt of disability living allowance with just over 10.5% in the Rowley CoOP.

Supply of Childcare The supply of childcare for children with SEND is based on the findings of the Childcare provider questionnaire (appendices 9 and 10), the data held on FIS database and information from extended services.

Main findings of Childcare Provider questionnaire: ¾ Of the childcare providers who responded they indicated that they had over 1000 places for children with SEND. ¾ Over 50% of the places are for the under 5’s. ¾ Of the 236 who responded to the questionnaire nearly 50% of childcare providers indicated that they have plans over the next 12 months to improve provision for children who need special care due to SEND,

Information held on FIS database: ¾ The FIS database shows that there are 146 childcare providers who states that they are or could care for a child with SEND. ¾ However, only a small amount of before and after school clubs and holiday playschemes have told the FIS that they can care for children with SEND.

Extended Services Feedback: In general, extended services co-ordinator indicated that the services provided are inclusive of all children.

Sandwell Extended Services in partnership with Sandwell Special Schools appointed an inclusion manager in 2009 to ensure that children with SEND and their families are able to access activities and services, before / after school and during holidays.

69 This appointment has resulted in more children with SEND taking part in services and activities over the last year; this has been through a variety of ways including:

• Ongoing disability awareness training for staff. • Identifying and accessing funding for additional support. • Consulting with children, parents and carers about their interests and needs. • Collecting data on how many children with SEND access services, identifying good practice and identifying barriers / issues. • Promotion of services through information targeted at children with SEN and their families. • Presentation and information sessions to other professionals including SENCOs, school staff and parent support workers. • Awards evening for children who gained qualifications during the summer scheme provided an opportunity to consult with a parents and children on Extended Services.

Summer 2010 has been very successful and there have been more activities for children with SEND than before, these included

• Joint summer scheme between special schools and mainstream schools, over 80 children, many with complex and profound needs, took part in a wide variety of activities including swimming, golf, art and cookery for 3 weeks. Parent comment “It was the best Summer school/scheme my son has been to.” • Reports from CoOPs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities taking part (some for the first time) in a variety of activities across Sandwell. • The use of support organisations Sandwell Multi-care, Kids West Midlands and Core Disability services in a number of Sandwell CoOPs to support children into mainstream activities.

Case Study A SENCO from Tipton contacted South Tipton CoOP (STEP) to see if there was a holiday scheme for a 10 year old pupil who needed support as he had cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

The coordinator managed to secure support from KIDS WM to support the child at the summer provision at Alexandra High School, the child took part in all of the activities and felt very included, the SENCO was delighted and thanked STEP for the quick response and positive outcome.

Extended Services have also produced a leaflet for all parents/carers of children with statements, this can be used in annual reviews to inform them of Extended Services and to give them the contact details of their local Coordinator, this is being sent out to SENCO’s in all Sandwell schools.

70 Future plan are that the Inclusion Manager will be working with Pupil Referral Units and focus provision schools to ensure they are also aware of Extended Services.

Demand for Childcare The demand for childcare is based on the responses from the questionnaire that was distributed to parents (appendix 11) and from the parents focus groups (appendix 7). The number of returned questionnaires was 1161 of which 137 indicated that they have at least one child with SEND. The respondents did not answer all of the questions and could tick more than one answer for some questions.

Data tables for information on demand are included in Appendix 13. Main findings of parent questionnaire: ¾ The highest number of children with SEND is from Harvills Hawthorn (20%) followed by Oldbury North (15%). The lowest number of children is from Cradley 6%. ¾ 58% of Respondents who indicated that they have a child with SEND uses childcare. The most common types of childcare are family/friends (59%); after school activities (38%) and after school clubs (24%). The main reason cited for using family/friends is trust (59%); convenience with times (55%) and costs (45%). ¾ Significantly the main reason for childcare is not employment (41%) but other reasons (55%) ¾ Only 46% of respondents access the childcare element of working tax credit which is below Sandwell average 68%. ¾ The respondents are least satisfied with choice of childcare, cost of childcare and that childcare is good value. ¾ The main reason for not using childcare is because they are not working/training. ¾ The cost of childcare is the main reason cited that has prevented returning to work. ¾ Indications are that the types of childcare need in the future is after school activities; family friends; after school and holiday playschemes. ¾ Over 50% would go to the school for childcare information which is higher than Sandwell average; however, only 29% would use the FIS which is lower than Sandwell average. ¾ Only 25% think that adequate information is made available on type of childcare /other services /activities which lower than Sandwell average which is 33%. ¾ In the last 12 months a significantly higher proportion of respondents with children with SEND have used other types of services when compared to the Sandwell average.

Main findings of children with SEND parent/carer focus group: ¾ This group of parents relies heavily on family members; ¾ Have feelings of isolation ¾ Felt that things get more difficult as children get older

71 ¾ Would like access to better information. ¾ Childcare is widely used for other purposes than employment.

Main findings of children with SEND focus group: ¾ The participants insisted that their disability did not prevent them from taking part in a range of provisions currently available. ¾ The young people in the group were satisfied with they type of provisions that was available to them in school. They were well informed of what activities were taking place. ¾ The young people in the group indicated that they had very little pre- school care; the view was that their families – particular mum – were sometimes reluctant to let anyone else ‘do the caring.’ ¾ The young people were aware of being consulted but it was difficult to evidence if any suggestions were acted on.

Key Findings: ¾ Families with children with SEND rely heavily on family members for childcare; most common type of formal childcare that is required is for children of school age. ¾ The data shows that for school age children there appears to be less opportunity for children with SEND to access before and after school clubs, however indications are that providers have plans to improve provisions and that the Capital Grant should support this. ¾ Indications are that the types of childcare need in the future is after school activities; family friends; after school clubs and holiday playschemes. ¾ After school activities needs to be monitored to ensure that they meet the need of children with SEND. ¾ However, extended services have placed a focus on inclusive provisions ¾ Childcare providers have indicated that they intend to improve services for children with SEND, this need to be monitored to see if changes occur as well as the impact of the Capital Grant allocations. ¾ Cost of childcare is a barrier ¾ The usage of FIS for childcare information is very low

Childcare Needs of Lone Parents Demography:

¾ There are 14,530 lone parents in Sandwell. 48.71% is in work and 51.29% is out of work, this is quite balanced when compared to the national picture which estimates 1:2 ratio. ¾ The CoOP with the highest rate of lone parent who are out of work is Tipton North, Smethwick Capehill and Friar Park. ¾ The CoOPs with the highest number of lone parent are Rowley and West Bromwich CoOP. ¾ According to JCP the Change in Lone Parent Obligations will have an impact on approximately 833 Lone parents across Sandwell.

72 Demand: The demand for childcare is based on the responses from the questionnaire that was distributed to parents (appendix11) and from the parent’s focus groups (appendix7). The number of returned questionnaires was 1161 of which 261 are lone parents; the respondents did not answer all of the questions.

Data tables for information on demand are included in Appendix 15. Main findings of parent questionnaire: ¾ 64% of lone parents currently use childcare ¾ 57% of lone parents use family or friends as childcare which is line with Sandwell average; there main reason for doing so are childcare costs and trust. ¾ 66% of lone parents use childcare because of employment ¾ 78% of lone parents receive help from the childcare element of the working tax credit towards their childcare costs, which is higher than Sandwell average 68% ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, in general lone parents are satisfied with childcare. ¾ However, lone parents were unsure about the choice of childcare locally; that childcare is value for money and that childcare cost is reasonable ¾ 57% of lone parents don’t use childcare because they are not working/training which is higher than Sandwell average (44%) ¾ Only 29% of lone parents indicated that they do not use childcare because it is too expensive which is lower than Sandwell average 34%. ¾ 51% of lone parents have been unable to work because of the cost of childcare, a third also indicated that no suitable employment available that fits in with childcare provision have prevented them from working/training. ¾ 47% of lone parents who use childcare now will do so for 3 years or less. ¾ Lone parents demand for childcare in the future will be family friends; before and after school and holiday playschemes. ¾ Lone parents are more likely to access childcare information from: school; friend or relative and children centre.

Main findings of lone parents focus group: ¾ This was a very small group of parents but expressed concerns of quality and the importance of good staff in the settings ¾ Was aware of local services but had concerns on the affordability and locations of provisions

Key Findings: ¾ A high proportion of lone parents 71% receive the childcare element of working tax credit. However, there are some indications that childcare cost is a barrier to work/training. ¾ The times childcare is availability and working patterns also seems to be a barrier. ¾ Change in lone Parent obligations may have an impact on childcare

Childcare Needs of Armed Forces Families

Demography: No sources were identified which could gives estimates of number of armed forces families living in Sandwell.

Demand: The demand for childcare is based on the responses from the questionnaire that was distributed to parents (appendix 11). The number of returned questionnaires was 1161 the respondents did not answer all of the questions and could tick more than one answer for some questions.

The number of respondents who are identified as armed forces families are 5 who are in the armed forces and 11 who has a partner in the armed forces. It is worth bearing in mind that this maybe a very small sample to reflect the views of armed forces families.

Data tables for information on demand are included in Appendix 15. Main Finding of parent questionnaire: ¾ 7 of the armed forces families’ uses childcare ¾ The main form of childcare for armed forces families are family and friends or childminders. The main reason for using families and friends are trust; childcare costs and no other suitable childcare available. ¾ The main reason for using childcare is employment ¾ Majority of the respondents indicated that their childcare is within Sandwell. ¾ The childcare element of the working tax credit is the only type of help towards childcare costs that armed forces families indicated that they receive. ¾ Armed forces families cited childcare cost as the main reason for not using childcare ¾ 8 armed forces family indicated that they would continue to use childcare for 3 years or less. ¾ Armed forces families tend to go to family/relatives or the Internet to find out about childcare and they mostly prefer to access information through the post.

Key Findings: ¾ Cost is a barrier to using childcare ¾ The FIS needs to engage with armed forces families. ¾ Help with childcare cost needs to be promoted to the families.

Childcare for Older Children (11 to 14 Years)

Demography There are approximately 14, 300 children age 11-14 years in the borough. The highest number of 11-14 appears to be in the West Bromwich Central CoOP, with the lowest number in the Tividale CoOP.

Supply The childcare provider indicated that they provide limited amount of places for children aged 11- 14, based on their indications the FIS was able to determine that there are approximately 216 childcare places across the borough for children aged 11- 14, this equates to 1 childcare place for every 68 children.

The CoOP which has the most childcare places for this age range is West Bromwich Central approximately 30 places. The lowest number is the Cradley CoOP approximately 3 places.

Most childcare provider type indicted that they always have vacancies for this age range with the exception of holiday playschemes who stated that they only have on occasions.

Extended Services indicated that for secondary school children there is a good supply of after school activities such as music; gymnastics; football; dance; art; homework clubs and drama.

Demand

The demand for childcare is based on following focus groups: Parents of Secondary School Children and the Children & Young People age 11 to 14 years

Parents recognised that there has been improvement in the availability of childcare “there were few childcare options’ around here before Sure Start in the area – things have improved in the last 10 years in terms of availability”. They also felt that that childcare was of good quality but this could be at the expense of childcare being accessible; they had concerns around the cost of childcare and felt that there was a lack of financial support.

Key findings:

¾ Although there is a low place: child ratio it is reasonable to assume that not many children in this age range would access informal childcare such as after school activities.

75 ¾ Extended services indicated that there is a good supply of after school activities across the CoOP.

Childcare needs of BME

Demography Just over 25% of the population is of BME background. In the age group 0-15 years this rises to almost a third (31%). Smethwick North and Smethwick Capehill have the highest number of BME children.

Demand The demand for childcare is based on the responses from the questionnaire that was distributed to parents (appendix 11) and from the parent’s focus groups (appendix7). The number of returned questionnaires was 1161. The number of respondents who are BME is 403. The respondents did not answer all of the questions and could tick more than one answer for some questions.

Data tables for information on demand are included in Appendix 14. Main findings of parent questionnaire: ¾ 60% uses childcare. ¾ The highest childcare usage is family/friends; day nursery and pre- school playgroup. The reason for using family/friends is cited as childcare costs and trust. ¾ The main reason for using childcare is employment 64% which is lower than Sandwell average 71%. ¾ 88% uses childcare in Sandwell ¾ 70% receive the childcare element of the working tax credit which is slightly higher than Sandwell average. ¾ The cost of childcare appears to be a barrier ¾ 44%of parents will continue to use childcare for 3 years or less. ¾ The future demand for childcare is family/friends; day nursery; after school clubs and after school activities. ¾ Schools and the Internet are the most likely place where BME families would go to find out about childcare.

Main findings of BME parent/carer focus Group: ¾ BME parents had a huge reliance on extended families for religious and cultural reasons. ¾ They had a good understanding of availability of services but felt that the cost of childcare was an issue and that the financial support available was complex. ¾ They also had reservations about the quality of childcare

Key Findings: ¾ Mainly used family/friends for childcare ¾ Childcare cost is a barrier to using childcare ¾ The FIS needs to be more widely promoted to BME families, as well information on help with childcare costs.

Looked after Children (LAC)

Demography As detailed in the Children & Families section of the document, latest figures, shows:

¾ There were 276 children being looked after in Sandwell in September 2010.

¾ Almost a third (31%) of LAC’s are over 16 years of age, whereas just over half of them (53%) are of school age and only 16% of LAC’s are under 5 years of age.

¾ Rowley CoOP has the highest number of LAC’s (51), followed by West Bromwich CoOPs (53 in total) and Oldbury North (26). On the other hand, LAC’s are less in Harvills Hawthorn CoOP, Friar Park CoOP and Smethwick South CoOP (single figures).

Demand Main findings of Looked After Children Focus Group (appendix 8) : ¾ Some of the children had experience of after school care when they were younger and some still had involvement in summer playschemes. ¾ This group of children and young people felt that the activities were ok but would like some sort of informal learning –first aid or food hygiene as this might help them to get a job; others placed an emphasis on leisure activities i.e. theme park, zoos, museums. ¾ The children and young people mentioned that they were used to being consulted but felt that they were not consulted about summer playschemes. ¾ This group of children identified that there was the possibility of funding cuts and felt that they should be consulted on what were their priorities.

Main Findings of Carers of Looked After Children Focus Group (appendix 7): ¾ They felt that the majority of childcare was down to themselves to provide and that they were made to feel that they should not rely on external sources. ¾ Checks and paperwork are required for leaving a child with someone else, this made availability low and therefore childcare is provided within the family or other foster carer. ¾ Children from school age upwards had some fantastic childcare opportunities such as holiday playschemes. However, there is little choice available for those children who are not of school age. The group also stated that there is a lack of provision of activities/groups to provide respite for carers of disabled children.

77 ¾ Cost of childcare is the other major barrier prohibiting carers from using childcare in the area. Foster carers do not get any monetary support to put towards childcare of the foster children. Unlike other parents and guardians, they do not get childcare grants or childcare tax credits. ¾ Unlike the other groups consulted, the main issue on quality is that there is a lack of providers that meet the accreditation standards for fostered children. ¾ Even if carers have access to childcare options and the finance to cover it, most are reluctant to use it because they worry too much when they leave them with others. “You are always on edge and wondering if they are behaving or being looked after properly.”

Key Findings: ¾ Rowley CoOP has nearly one fifth of LAC ¾ Limited experience of after school clubs and holiday playschemes, however very little experience of pre-school childcare. ¾ Foster carers feel isolated and they perceive that formal childcare is not appropriate for their foster children.

Gap Identified

Specific Gap – although there is no apparent childcare places gap, the following would be particularly beneficial to these groups:

¾ Raise the profile of the FIS.

¾ High quality, tailored information made available on childcare including comprehensive information on help with childcare cost.

¾ To make aware of access to better off calculations from the appropriate agencies as well as details of other services that support families.

¾ Childcare Brokers to support families to find suitable childcare provisions.

78 Analysis by Core Offer Partnership (CoOP)

The analysis of each CoOP will look at the supply of childcare in the CoOP including any relevant feedback from childcare providers.

The demand for childcare has been determined from information from the parent focus group (appendix 7) and analysis of the parent questionnaires (appendix 11) of which 1021 were matched to CoOP’s the other questionnaires were unmatched.

Demographic information will be used where appropriate to support with analysing gaps.

Cradley Heath Core Offer Partnership

The Cradley Heath Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods:

Cradley Heath Old Hill

Demographic Data

Total Population 19633 Population of 0-14 2991 Families receiving child 2635 benefit Lone Parents 820 Ethnicity school White 70.34% age children BME 29.66% Out of work Benefit 2230 recipient

¾ 15% of the population is in the 0-14 age range which is lower than Sandwell average

¾ Approx 4% of the population is lone parents which is lower than Sandwell average

¾ Just over 11% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is lower than Sandwell average.

79 Supply of Childcare Cradley Heath CoOp places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 5 7 6 3 0 21 Day Nurseries 65 59 4 0 0 128 Pre-school 25 46 0 0 0 71 Playgroups Before School 0 1 4 4 1 10 After School 0 3 13 12 1 29 Holiday Play scheme 0 4 9 6 1 20 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 95 120 36 25 3 279

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Places: Children range Places (approx) 0-2 693 95 1:7 3-4 404 120 1:3 5-7 597 36 1:16 8-10 558 25 1:35 11-14 739 3 1:246

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire. Cradley CoOP Providers views Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 0 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 23 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 0 away away Before School 5 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 16 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 20 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 64

80 Extended Services Feedback This CoOP consists of six primary schools and one secondary school. The Partnership has established an activity programme for Primary school pupils. The programme offers pupils in KS2 the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities throughout the school year. Once a week either partner organisations or the secondary school staff deliver an after school programme across the entire partnership of schools.

Through wider partnership working with The Albion Foundation, the police, the Youth Service and others the CoOP provides evening activities also a summer programmes focused on young people aged 14 – 19. Over 100 youngsters have accessed this provision over the summer period

Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ Cradley respondents are the highest users of family/friends as a form of childcare 77%, which is higher than Sandwell average 57%. Childcare costs and convenience with times are the main reasons given for using family and friends. ¾ With regards to help with childcare costs although the sample from this CoOP was very small, the majority of respondents indicated that they receive the childcare element of the working tax credit ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements and that childcare is of good quality. However, this CoOP has the lowest respondents that are satisfied with the time that childcare is available. ¾ Over one third of the respondents in this CoOP cited that childcare is unable to cover work or training hours and this has prevented them or their partner from retuning to work. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends, before clubs and after school activities. This CoOP indicates that in the future the lowest demand would be for after school clubs.

Key Findings:

¾ This CoOP indicates that there is an issue with the times childcare is available and that this is one of the reasons for the heavy reliance on family/friends. It is important to bear in mind that childcare providers indicated that there are limitations with provisions to meet the needs of parents who work shift patterns. ¾ Data shows that in this CoOP the place: children ratio is significantly lower for school age children than the Sandwell average.

81 ¾ Future demand for childcare is indicated as family/friends, before clubs and after school activities. ¾ Data shows that there are only 10 before school places and although vacancies exist this provider may not offer to all local schools. Furthermore information held by the FIS also shows that there is an unmet demand for childminders as a form of childcare. ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to ensure that these meet the need of families. ¾ It is worth noting that the data shows no pre-school playgroup vacancies, as this CoOP only had 2% birth rate growth this may not necessarily become an issue.

Gaps Identified Type Gap - Before school and childminders Time Gap – to meet the needs of people wishing to return to work or training

82 Friar Park Core Offer Partnership

The Friar Park Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Friar Park Woods and Mesty Croft

Demographic Data

Total Population 12645 Population of 0-14 2625 Families receiving child 1875 benefit Lone Parents 700 Ethnicity school White 81.17% age children BME 18.83% Out of work benefit 1730 recipients

¾ 20% of the population is 0-14 which is in line with Sandwell average ¾ Just over 5% of the population is lone parents which is similar to Sandwell average. ¾ Nearly 14% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is slightly higher than Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is lower than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Friar Park CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 8 11 9 5 0 33 Day Nurseries 43 39 3 0 0 85 Playgroups 9 16 0 0 0 25 Before School 0 9 43 50 6 108 After School 0 2 12 11 1 26 Holiday Play scheme 0 5 13 10 2 30 Crèche 12 12 16 0 0 40 TOTAL 72 94 96 76 9 346

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 622 72 1:9 3-4 353 94 1:4 5-7 510 96 1:5 8-10 472 75 1:6 11-14 668 9 1:74

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Friar Park CoOP Providers Views Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 4 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 5 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 0 away away Before School 40 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 24 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 30 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 103

Extended Services Feedback This CoOP provides a wide range of activities across the 4 primary schools and 2 secondary schools and the children centre. All primary schools in the group offer high quality wrap-around breakfast provision. The secondary schools have canteen facilities and activities providing a safe place for young people to be before the start of the school day.

Each school offers several after-school enrichment activities including drama, dance, art, cookery, martial arts, music, gymnastics, football, Duke of Edinburgh Award, homework clubs and much more.

During holidays 1 primary school offered regular holiday activities including clubs and family gardening projects. The two secondary schools offer summer schools and activities including sports sessions, hair and beauty, art and cookery.

Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have every opportunity to participate in extended services activities and receive specialist support where this is required.

Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ After family/friends (71%) the most popular type of current childcare is breakfast clubs (23%). ¾ Overall, respondents in this CoOP are dissatisfied with their current childcare arrangements. However, they did indicate that they are satisfied with quality of childcare; where childcare is located and that the childcare caters for their child’s needs. ¾ 68% of respondents indicated that the cost of childcare has prevented them or their partner from working; this is higher than the Sandwell average (56%) ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends, before and after school club and after school activities.

Key Finding: ¾ Respondents are dissatisfied with childcare arrangements ¾ Heavy users of family/friends for childcare ¾ Cost of childcare is seen as a barrier ¾ The data shows that with the exception of the 5-7 age range, the place: child ratio is lower than Sandwell average. ¾ Demand in the future will be for before school, after school and after school activities. Currently there is before schools at local school; after school provisions have a high vacancy rate and there is a wide range of after school activities being delivered. ¾ It is worth noting that the data shows no pre-school playgroup vacancies, as this CoOP has a 45% birth rate growth this may become an issue. ¾ Higher than the Sandwell average of families in receipt of out of work benefit.

Gaps Identified No gap identified

85 Harvills & Hateley Heath Core Offer Partnership

Harvills and Hateley Heath Core Offer Partnership consist of the following neighbourhoods: Harvills Hawthorn Hateley Heath Hill Top Millfields Stone Cross

Demographic Data

Total Population 15221 Population of 0-14 2990 Families receiving child 2155 benefit Lone Parents 840 Ethnicity school White 50.64% age children BME 49.36% Out of work benefit 2030 recipients

¾ Nearly 20% of the population is 0-14 years which is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ Over 5% of the population is lone parents which is similar to Sandwell average. ¾ Over 13% of the population are in receipt of out of work benefits which is slightly higher than Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is lower than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Harvills & Hateley Heath Co-OP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 4 5 5 3 0 17 Day Nurseries 42 38 2 0 0 82 Playgroups 7 13 0 0 0 20 Before School 0 7 32 38 4 81 After School 0 5 26 24 2 57 Holiday Play scheme 0 3 7 5 1 16 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 53 71 72 70 7 273

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

86 Age Population Childcare Place: Children range Places (approx) 0-2 693 53 1:13 3-4 404 71 1:6 5-7 597 72 1:8 8-10 558 70 1:8 11-14 738 7 1:105

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Harvills and Providers Views Hateley Heath CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 6 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 2 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 0 away away Before School 11 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 22 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 16 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 57

Extended Services Feedback The CoOP is made up of 5 primary schools, 2 secondary schools (one of which is a Special School) and a Children’s Centre. Each school provides wraparound care during term time which includes sports, arts, homework clubs and breakfast clubs. The CoOP also offers holiday provision in all school holidays (apart from Christmas) and Saturday morning clubs for children and young people aged 4 -14 years old.

The summer holiday provision is run on a secondary school site and caters for all who wish to attend from across the CoOP and the wider community, including children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The holiday scheme has proven to be extremely successful and well attended with over 100 pupils at any one time during the four weeks in

87 which it is held. Parents pay approximately £3 per day for activities including sports, art and drama.

Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ This CoOP along with Wednesbury North CoOP has the lowest respondents to the question on use of childcare, the most commonly used types of childcare are family friends 74%; after school club 22% and pre-school playgroup 22%. ¾ Harvills and Hateley respondents are the lowest user of childcare and are the second highest users of family and friends as childcare provider. Childcare costs and trusts are the main reasons given for using family and friends. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements and that childcare is of good quality. However, over a third of the respondents are dissatisfied with the choice of local childcare and this CoOP has the highest respondents who are dissatisfied with where their childcare is located and childcare costs. ¾ This CoOP has the highest respondents that do not use childcare as they are not working or training. ¾ This CoOp had the second highest respondents (45%) who indicated that childcare is too expensive as a reason for not using childcare. ¾ Over one third (38%) of respondents in this CoOP indicated that they currently not using childcare but expect to use in the next 3 years, this is significantly higher than the Sandwell average of 20%. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends, after school club and after school activities. This CoOP has the highest demand for after school club and after school activities but the lowest demand for holiday playscheme. ¾ Less than a third (29%) of respondents in this CoOP uses the FIS for childcare information but is the highest users of Children Centres (45%) for childcare information.

Key findings: ¾ This CoOP identifies cost as an issue and therefore has a heavy reliance on family/friends. This CoOP also has the highest respondents that do not use childcare as they are not working ¾ This CoOP is most dissatisfied with childcare location and this maybe due to the lack of childcare on the Harvills Hawthorn neighbourhood. There are no childminders or day nursery in the neighbourhood. FIS data also shows that there is an unmet demand as childcare not available at suitable times.

88 ¾ The data shows that across the age range , the place : child ratio is significantly lower than Sandwell average ¾ Although this CoOP has a high demand for after school club vacancies exists across the CoOP. ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to ensure this meet the need of parents. ¾ It is worth noting that the data shows no pre-school playgroup vacancies, as this CoOP had 12% birth rate growth this may become an issue. ¾ Lower than average use of FIS for childcare information. ¾ Slightly higher than the Sandwell average of families in receipt of out of work benefit

Gaps Identified Geographical Gap – to explore the need for childminders and or day nurseries places in the Harvills Hawthorn neighbourhood. Information Gap- To promote FIS and help with childcare costs

89 Oldbury North Core Offer Partnership

The Oldbury North Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Bristnall Langley Oldbury Rood End

Demographic Data

Total Population 24279 Population of 0-14 4713 Families receiving child 3335 benefit Lone Parents 580 Ethnicity school White 49.16% age children BME 50.84% Out of work benefit 2845 recipients

¾ Just over 19% of the population is 0-14 which is just below the Sandwell average. ¾ Just over 2% of the population is lone parent which is significantly lower than Sandwell average. ¾ 11% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is below the Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is higher than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Oldbury North CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 19 24 21 11 1 76 Day Nurseries 184 166 11 0 0 361 Playgroups 23 44 0 0 0 67 Before School 0 3 13 15 2 33 After School 0 6 30 27 2 65 Holiday Playscheme 0 31 74 54 10 169 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 226 274 149 107 15 771

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

90 Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 1,075 226 1:5 3-4 629 274 1:2 5-7 896 149 1:6 8-10 852 107 1:8 11-14 1,261 15 1:84

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Oldbury North Providers Views CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 29 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 16 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 28 away away Before School 7 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 15 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 85 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 180

Extended Services Feedback

Oldbury North CoOP is made up of seven primary schools, 2 secondary and a Special School providing a wide range of after /before school childcare and ‘things to do’ for children and young people. Each of the schools provides afterschool opportunities, including sports, art and study support.

The Special School provides a wide range of afterschool activities for children with profound and multiple disabilities, these include relaxation, swimming, craft and cookery classes. In partnership with Aiming High for Disabled Children Short Breaks, the school was also able to offer 4 weeks of summer holiday provision.

The two secondary schools provide a range of afterschool and holiday activities including IT, sport and arts.

91 Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ The childcare most used in Oldbury CoOP is family/friends (45%) followed by before school clubs (24%) ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare this CoOP along with Smethwick South has the highest proportion of respondents who are satisfied that childcare is good value for money. Oldbury North also has the highest proportion of respondents that are satisfied that childcare caters for their child’s needs and that childcare costs are reasonable. ¾ Overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements, that childcare is of good quality and where there childcare is located. Although approximately a half of the respondents in this CoOP are satisfied with choice of local childcare, over a third of respondents are also dissatisfied with the choice of local childcare. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends and before and after school clubs. ¾ This CoOP (43%) has the highest respondents who think that adequate information is made available about the type of childcare provision/other services/activities for children and families in the area. ¾ Respondents were able to indicate more than answer , however more than 50% of respondents uses the school to receive childcare information, followed by 40% using FIS

Key Findings: ¾ In general Oldbury North is satisfied with childcare and the information that they access. ¾ This CoOp indicated that they would require family/friends and before and after school clubs in the next 3 years. ¾ The data shows that for school age children, the place : child ratio is lower than Sandwell average ¾ There are limited amount of before and after school places, however there are some vacancies in both before school and after school these will need to be monitored to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of families.

Gaps Identified No gap identified

92 Oldbury South Core Offer Partnership

The Oldbury South Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods:

Brandhall Cakemore Causeway Green Warley

Demographic Data

Total Population 11976 Population of 0-14 2104 Families receiving child 1535 benefit Lone Parents 1130 Ethnicity school White 65.94% age children BME 34.06% Out of work benefit 980 recipients

¾ Just over 17% of the population is 0-14 which is lower than the Sandwell average. ¾ 9% of the population is lone parents which is significantly higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ 8% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is one of the lowest in Sandwell. This is similar to West Bromwich North. ¾ This CoOP has one of the highest take up of the childcare element of working tax credit, which is similar to Smethwick south and West Bromwich North. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is significantly higher than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Oldbury South CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 18 23 20 11 1 73 Day Nurseries 42 38 2 0 0 82 Playgroups 36 66 0 0 0 102 Before School 0 15 66 77 8 166 After School 0 15 75 69 5 164 Holiday Play scheme 0 13 30 22 4 69 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 96 170 193 179 18 656

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 424 96 1:4 3-4 296 170 1:2 5-7 409 193 1:2 8-10 412 179 1:2 11-14 563 18 1:31

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Oldbury South Providers Views CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 11 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 16 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 0 away away Before School 10 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 10 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 40 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 87

Extended Services Feedback This CoOP provides a range of activities across the 6 primary schools and 1 secondary school and a children centre. All of the schools offer before and after school activities, including breakfast clubs, sports, languages, music and art. Children with special educational needs and disabilities are catered for.

During Easter and summer holidays childcare provision is available at the Children’s Centre and at a local primary schools for children aged 4 to 11. Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are catered for.

Questionnaires to parents reveal that the majority send their children to childcare provision to enable them to go to work.

Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ Oldbury South respondents are the highest users of childcare in general (79%) which was higher than Sandwell (63%). This CoOP is also the highest users of breakfast and after school activities. ¾ The main reason for using childcare is cited as employment (85%) which is also higher than Sandwell (71%) ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements; that childcare is of good quality; that childcare caters for their child’s needs and that they are satisfied with travel or transport to childcare. ¾ 77 % respondents in this CoOP indicated that childcare costs have prevented them or their partner from retuning to work this is significantly higher than the Sandwell average (56%) ¾ 62% of respondents in Oldbury South indicated that they currently use childcare and will continue to require this for 3 years or less, this is significantly higher than the Sandwell average (46%). ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; before and after school clubs and after school activities

Key Finding: ¾ Highest users of childcare and the main reason are for employment. ¾ In general childcare users are satisfied with childcare. ¾ Indications are that they will continue to use childcare ¾ Childcare cost is seen as a barrier to return to work/training ¾ The data shows that across all age range, the place : child ratio is significantly higher than Sandwell average ¾ Highest users of breakfast club and after school activities and indications are that they will continue to require this type of childcare as well as after school clubs. FIS noted that there is an unmet demand for childcare pick up from a local school (St Phillips). ¾ Although there are before school clubs (166 places) and after school clubs (164 places) the vacancy levels are very low 6% and 6% respectively this may not meet the need of families in the future ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to ensure it meets the needs of families. ¾ It is worth noting that the data shows no pre-school playgroup vacancies, as this CoOP only had 2% birth rate growth this may not necessarily become an issue

Gaps Identified Type Gap - Before School Club and After School Club

95 Rowley Regis Core Offer Partnership

The Rowley Regis Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Blackheath Brickhouse Lion farm Portway Rowley Springfield Whiteheath

Demographic Data

Total Population 34127 Population of 0-14 6710 Families receiving child 4755 benefit Lone Parents 1790 Ethnicity school White 78.45 age children BME 21.55 Out of work benefit 3815 recipients

¾ This CoOp has the second largest overall population. ¾ Nearly 20% of the population is 0-14 which is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ Just over 5% of the population is lone parents; this CoOP has the highest number of lone parents. ¾ Just over 11% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits; this CoOp has the 2nd highest number of people in receipt of out of work benefits. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ As mentioned before this CoOP has the highest number of Looked after children and children with disability. ¾ As mentioned before this CoOP has the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Sandwell.

Supply of Childcare Rowley Regis CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 26 33 28 15 1 103 Day Nurseries 106 96 6 0 0 208 Playgroups 30 56 0 0 0 86 Before School 0 13 58 68 7 146 After School 0 15 75 68 5 163 Holiday Play scheme 0 12 28 20 4 64 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 162 225 195 171 17 770

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 1,601 162 1:10 3-4 899 225 1:4 5-7 1,264 195 1:6 8-10 1,247 171 1:7 11-14 1,699 17 1:100

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Rowley CoOP Providers Views Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 35 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 18 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 13 away away Before School 1 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 65 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 47 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 179

This CoOP consists of 8 Primary Schools and 1 Secondary School. Within the area, there is 2 Children’s Centre based on a school site.

Through wider partnership working, the CoOP has established a Primary Extended Schools Activity Programme. The programme offers students in KS2 the opportunity to participate in a variety of extended school activities throughout the school year. Once a week either partners or the local secondary school staff deliver an after school programme at all of the Rowley CoOP schools. This is a rolling 6 week programme that includes both activity and academic sessions.

97 The secondary school offer a wide range of inclusive activities beyond the school day and during the holidays. This includes study support opportunities during the Easter holidays and a wide range of sports and arts activities

Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ In this CoOP the most used type of childcare after family/friends (61%) is pre-school playgroup 22%. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements; that childcare is of good quality; where childcare is located and that childcare caters for their child’s needs. ¾ Over one third of respondents indicated that no suitable employment was available that fits in with childcare provision, this is higher than the Sandwell average (28%) ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; after school clubs and after school activities ¾ Less than a third (29%) of respondents in this CoOP uses the FIS for childcare Information; however, they are the highest users of the Internet (54%), which is higher than Sandwell average (50%).

Key Finding: ¾ In general respondents are satisfied with childcare. ¾ The times when childcare is available does not meet working pattern, it is important to bear in mind that childcare providers indicated that there are limitations with provisions to meet the needs of parents who work shift patterns. ¾ The data shows that across all age range , the place : child ratio is lower than Sandwell average ¾ Indications are that families/friends; after school clubs and after school activities are they type of childcare families will need in the future. The FIS have also noted that there was an unmet demand for crèche for parents to study. ¾ There is high vacancy level (40%) in the after school clubs. ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to meet the needs of families. ¾ With regards to crèche for training, vacancies exists within the 0-5 years old providers and parents may need to be encouraged to look at this type of childcare options before crèches are developed. ¾ Lower than average usage of FIS for childcare information. ¾ Highest number of Look After Children and children with disability

98 Gaps Identified Information Gap – to promote the FIS to this CoOP Time Gap – to meet the needs of working parents

99 Smethwick Cape Hill Core Offer Partnership

The Smethwick Cape Hill Core Offer Partnerships consists of the following neighbourhoods: BlackPatch Capehill Windmill Lane

Demographic Data

Total Population 15061 Population of 0-14 3750 Families receiving child 2390 benefit Lone Parents 1050 Ethnicity school White 11.30% age children BME 88.70% Out of work benefits 2615 recipients

¾ Nearly a quarter (24.8%) of the population is 0-14 which is significantly higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ Nearly 7% of the population is lone parents which are higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ This CoOP has the second highest proportion of BME children. ¾ Just over 17% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is the highest proportion per population. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is lowest in Sandwell.

Supply of Childcare Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 10 12 11 6 0 39 Day Nurseries 63 57 4 0 0 124 Playgroups 0 0 0 0 0 0 Before School 0 3 15 18 2 38 After School 0 11 54 50 4 119 Holiday Play scheme 0 37 89 64 12 202 Crèche 4 4 5 0 0 13 TOTAL 77 124 178 138 18 535

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

100

Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 910 77 1:12 3-4 544 124 1:4 5-7 766 178 1:4 8-10 654 138 1:5 11-14 876 18 1:49

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Smethwick Cape Providers Views Hill CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 15 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 5 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup - away away Before School 0 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 18 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 126 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 164

Extended Services Feedback This CoOP is a collaboration between six primary schools, a secondary school and local agencies to provide a range of core offer services and activities, often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of children, their families and the wider community.

Throughout the CoOP there are is a wide range of before/ after school clubs, with breakfast clubs established across the CoOP. Each of the schools offer study support classes for pupils and there is a range of holiday play schemes organised across the cluster including Booster classes for KS2 children during the Easter break.

A wide range of activities are in place for children across the cluster; including a cluster choir, Smethwick football league, cheerleading sessions, guitar, Bhangra classes, and Saturday karate classes

101 Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ Smethwick Capehill respondents are the highest users of pre-school playgroups (37%) and holiday playschemes (22%) ¾ This CoOP has the second lowest respondents who use childcare because of employment. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, this CoOP has the highest proportion of respondents who were satisfied with choice of local childcare and where the childcare is located. Also the majority of respondents are satisfied with their childcare arrangements and the quality of childcare. ¾ It is worth noting that, although over two thirds of respondents in this CoOP are satisfied that childcare caters for their child’s needs, over a quarter of respondents also indicated that they are dissatisfied and also that they have the lowest respondents that are satisfied with the reliability of childcare arrangements. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; after school clubs and day nurseries. Although overall the demand for childminders to cater for children 0-4 years is not particularly high, this CoOP has a high indication that childminders are preferred for 0-4 year olds.

Key Findings: ¾ High users of pre-school playgroup and holiday playschemes. ¾ Low usage because of employment ¾ Level of dissatisfaction with childcare catering for their child’s needs and also with reliability of childcare arrangements. ¾ The data shows that with regards to the 0-2 year age range , the place : child ratio is significantly lower than Sandwell average ¾ The type of childcare that this CoOP have indicated that they would require in the future is family/friends; after school clubs and day nurseries. Data shows that the level of vacancies in after school club is 15% and in day nurseries 4%. The vacancy levels in after school clubs will need to be monitored before any new places were created. ¾ The FIS also noted unmet demand for holiday playschemes for younger children (3-7years), the data shows that there are approximately 126 places and playschemes indicated that they had vacancies. ¾ It is worth noting that the data shows no before school club vacancies, this may need to be monitored to meet the needs of parents.

Gaps Identified Type Gap- day nursery and childminders

102 Smethwick North Core Offer Partnership

Smethwick North Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Albion Estate Galton Village North Smethwick West Smethwick

Demographic Data

Total Population 12879

Population of 0-14 2977 Families receiving child 1950

benefit

Lone Parents 1050 Ethnicity school White 10.49% age children BME 89.51% Out of work benefit 1580 recipients

¾ 23% of the population is 0-14 which is higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ 8% of the population is lone parents which is higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ This CoOP has the highest proportion of BME children. ¾ 12% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is lower than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Smethwick North CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 2 2 2 0 0 6 Day Nurseries 62 56 4 0 0 122 Playgroups 15 29 0 0 0 44 Before School 0 3 13 15 2 33 After School 0 13 68 62 4 147 Holiday Play scheme 0 12 28 20 4 64 Crèche 7 7 9 0 0 23 TOTAL 86 122 124 97 10 439

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

103 Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 652 86 1:7 3-4 425 122 1:3 5-7 603 124 1:5 8-10 550 97 1:6 11-14 747 10 1:75

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Smethwick North Providers Views CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 0 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 36 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 10 away away Before School 16 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 62 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 40 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 164

Extended Services Feedback The Smethwick North CoOP is made up of four primary schools and one secondary school. All schools within the partnership provide before and after school activities and clubs, including a film club which increases pupils confidence and strengthens their social skills and self esteem, football, dance and before school ‘wake and shake’, which give children a chance to develop skills and have equal access to opportunities that enable them to stay healthy. Homework club support helps pupils and further enhances the support provided in the classroom.

A Saturday school is provided at the secondary school and provides opportunities for children and young people to engage in study support and develop and learn a community language.

104 Demand for Childcare

Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parents questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ Smethwick North respondents are the highest users of childcare because of studying and are also the second lowest user of childcare for employment. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements; that childcare is of good quality; where the childcare is located and that childcare caters for their child’s needs. ¾ Over one third of respondents indicated that no suitable employment was available that fits in with childcare provision, this is higher than the Sandwell average ( 28%) ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; pre-school playgroup; before and after school clubs; day nursery; holiday playschemes and after school activities. This CoOP indicates the highest demand for pre-school playgroup and afterschool activities. They also indicated the lowest demand for family and friends.

Key Findings ¾ High users of childcare for studying and low users for employment ¾ In general satisfied with childcare ¾ Time childcare is available does not meet working patterns. It is important to bear in mind that childcare providers indicated that there are limitations with provisions to meet the needs of parents who work shift patterns ¾ The data shows that for the 8 + age range, the place: child ratio is slightly lower than Sandwell average. ¾ The type of childcare that this CoOP indicate that they will require in the future is family/friends; pre-school playgroup; before and after school clubs; day nursery; holiday playschemes and after school activities. ¾ Currently there are nearly 23% vacancies in the pre-school playgroup; nearly 50% in before school and 42% in after school clubs. ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to meet the needs of families.

Gaps Identified Time Gap – childcare does not meet working patterns

105 Smethwick South Core Offer Partnership

The Smethwick South Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Bearwood Londonderry Uplands

Demographic Data

Total Population 19256 Population of 0-14 3573 Families receiving child 2485 benefit Lone Parents 930 Ethnicity school White 53.46% age children BME 46.54% Out of work benefit 1820 recipients

¾ Just over 18% of the population is 0-14 years which is lower than Sandwell average. ¾ Just under 5% of the population is lone parents which is similar to Sandwell. ¾ 9% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is lower than the Sandwell Average. ¾ As previously noted this CoOP has one of the highest take of the childcare element of the working tax credit, which is similar to Oldbury south and West Bromwich North. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is significantly higer than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Smethwick South CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 40 51 43 24 2 160 Day Nurseries 148 134 9 0 0 291 Playgroups 8 14 0 0 0 22 Before School 0 5 22 26 3 56 After School 0 22 111 102 7 242 Holiday Play scheme 0 10 24 17 3 54 Crèche 8 8 11 0 0 27 TOTAL 204 244 220 169 15 852

106 Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 938 204 1:4 3-4 477 244 1:2 5-7 655 220 1:3 8-10 639 169 1:4 11-14 864 15 1:58

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Smethwick South Providers Views CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 35 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 32 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 2 away away Before School 0 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 10 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 85 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 164 Extended Services Feedback This CoOP is made up of six primary schools, two Children’s Centres and a local library. This CoOP provides a range of activities across the schools which include breakfast clubs, home work club; cooking; sports; drama; music; dance and art. The local library is also used to provide after school activities such as craft club, reading club and homework clubs. During school holidays one of the local schools is used to offer a wide range of activities. The Children’s Centre has supported the cluster with crèches enabling parents to return to their learning as well as easing the transition for parents from children centre to school.

107

Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ Smethwick South respondents are the highest users of childminders and after school clubs and the highest users of childcare because of employment. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, this CoOP along with Oldbury North has the highest proportion of respondents who are satisfied that childcare is good value for money. ¾ Overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements and that childcare is of good quality. However, this CoOP has the highest proportion of respondents who are dissatisfied with choice of local childcare and over a quarter of respondents are also dissatisfied that childcare caters for their child’s needs. ¾ 72 % respondents in this CoOP indicated that childcare costs have prevented them or their partner from retuning to work this is significantly higher than the Sandwell average (56%) ¾ 62% of respondents in Smethwick South indicated that they currently use childcare and will continue to require this for 3 years or less, this is significantly higher than the Sandwell average (46%). ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends and day nurseries. South Smethwick and South Tipton have the highest demand for day nurseries. This CoOP indicates that they would have the lowest demand for breakfast clubs.

Key findings ¾ High users of childcare for employment ¾ Dissatisfaction with choice of local childcare and that childcare caters for child’s needs. ¾ A high proportion of respondents have indicated that childcare costs have prevented them or their partner from returning to work ¾ High proportion of respondents will continue to use childcare ¾ The data shows that across all age range , the place : child ratio is higher than Sandwell average ¾ The types of childcare that will be required in the next 3 years are family/friends and day nursery. ¾ There is approximately 11% vacancy in the day nurseries; however, this has had CoOP 25% birth rate increase.

Gaps Identified

Type Gap – day nursery Information Gap- to promote help with childcare costs

108 Tipton North Core Offer Partnership

The Tipton North Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Glebefields Gospel Oak Lea Brook Ockerhill Princes End Tibbington

Demographic Data

Total Population 15786 Population of 0-14 3271 Families receiving child 2320 benefit Lone Parents 960 Ethnicity school White 87.20% age children BME 12.80% Out of work benefit 2390 recipients

¾ Just over 20% of the population is 0-14 which is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ 6% of the population is lone parents which is slightly higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ 15% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is lower than the Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare

Tipton North CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 7 9 7 4 0 27 Day Nurseries 67 61 4 0 0 132 Playgroups 0 0 0 0 0 0 Before School 0 10 45 53 6 114 After School 0 20 102 93 7 222 Holiday Play scheme 0 30 71 51 10 162 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 74 130 229 201 23 657

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

109 Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 770 74 1:10 3-4 465 130 1:3 5-7 645 229 1:3 8-10 574 201 1:3 11-14 817 23 1:35

Vacancies Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire Tipton North Providers Views CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 8 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 31 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup - away away Before School 10 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 19 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 10 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 78

Extended Services Feedback This CoOP is made up of 5 primary schools, one Secondary, a Children’s Centre and the local leisure centre.

Each school provides a wide choice of activities including joint breakfast clubs, a range of out-of-hours activities in each school (including Saturdays) and also wrap around childcare until 6pm with additional provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

A successful holiday programme is run in partnership with the leisure centre throughout the school holidays for children aged from 8-14 at a cost of £8 per day, with a 50% discount for households with a low income, who are eligible for the Sandwell Leisure Trust Concessionary Leisure Pass. Activities include a range of sports, arts and crafts, Dance mat sessions and activities which utilise the excellent facilities available.

“As a working parent it has really helps me as we do not have many family members to ask. I believe the camp enables the children to gain more confidence, acquire new skills and be more sociable.’’ (Tipton Parent)

110 “Allowed me to continue to work and keep my son occupied during the holidays, he made new friends and carried out lots of new activities.’’ (Parent)

A need to expand the camp to accommodate 5-8yrs has been identified and the partnership has plans to investigate this avenue further.

Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ With regard to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements; that childcare is of good quality; where the childcare is located and that childcare caters for their child’s needs. ¾ Tipton North and Wednesbury North have the highest respondents that are satisfied to use family/friends to care for their children. Similarly, Tipton North and Wednesbury North are also the highest respondents who indicated that they do not use childcare and do not expect to do so in the next 3 years. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; before and after school clubs and after school activities. This CoOP indicates that in the future they would be highest users of family/friends and the lowest users of pre-school playgroup and day nursery. ¾ Only 30% of respondents use the FIS for childcare information which is lower than Sandwell’s average.

Key Findings: ¾ Respondents are generally satisfied with their childcare. ¾ The data shows that for the 0-2 age range , the place : child ratio is significantly lower than Sandwell average ¾ The data also indicates that there is high vacancy level in the childminding and day nursery provisions and although there are no pre-school playgroup parents does not cite this as preference. ¾ On the other hand the vacancy levels in the school age provisions are low and parents have indicated that this is the type of provision they would require. The FIS database have recorded unmet demand for holiday playschemes, current usage of holiday playschemes although quite low (15%) the vacancy level is only 6.5% and the indications are that future demand will increase to 27%. ¾ As with most CoOPs’ there is a strong demand for family/friends and after school activities as a preference for childcare. ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to ensure they met the needs of families. ¾ Lower than average usage of FIS for childcare information.

111 Gaps Identified Type Gap - Before school and holiday playschemes. Information Gap – to promote the FIS

112 Tipton South Core Offer Partnership

Tipton South Core Offer Partnerships consists of the following neighbourhoods: Great Bridge Horseley Heath Park Estate Tipton Toll End

Demographic Data

Total Population 21928 Population of 0-14 4402 Families receiving child 3055 benefit Lone Parents 620 Ethnicity school White 56.16% age children BME 43.84% Out of work benefit 2755 recipients

¾ 20% of the population is 0-14 which is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ Nearly 3% of the population is lone parents which are lower than the Sandwell average. ¾ Just over 12% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is in line with Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is in line with Sandwell average.

Supply of Childcare Tipton South CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 5 6 5 3 0 19 Day Nurseries 108 97 6 0 0 211 Playgroups 0 0 0 0 0 0 Before School 0 4 19 23 2 48 After School 0 1 7 7 0 15 Holiday Play scheme 0 32 76 55 11 174 Crèche 4 4 5 0 0 13 TOTAL 117 144 118 88 13 480

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

113 Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 1,132 117 1:10 3-4 666 144 1:5 5-7 837 118 1:7 8-10 733 88 1:8 11-14 1,034 13 1:80

Vacancies Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire

Tipton South Providers Views CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 13 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 56 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup - away away Before School 6 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 6 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 132 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 213

Extended Services Feedback This CoOp provides a wide range of school activities such as athletics, art, dance, football, cricket, swimming clubs across the 8 primary schools and 1 secondary school.

Holiday provision is provided from the secondary school and is available all of the school holidays. The provision covers from 8yrs to 14yrs and is fully inclusive for children with special educational needs and disabilities. There are also plans to deliver a youth club from the secondary school.

Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

114

¾ Tipton South respondents are the second highest users of childcare and also the second highest users of day nurseries. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements and that childcare is of good quality. However, over a third of the respondents are dissatisfied with the choice of local childcare. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; after school clubs and day nurseries. Tipton South and South Smethwick have the highest demand for day nurseries. ¾ This CoOP (45%) has the highest respondents who do not think that adequate information is made available about the type of childcare provision/other services/activities for children and families in the area.

Key Findings ¾ High users of childcare and day nurseries ¾ Some dissatisfaction with choice of local childcare. ¾ The data shows that across all age range , the place : child ratio is lower than Sandwell average ¾ Indications are that future demand will be for family/friends; after school clubs and day nurseries. Currently there is 26% vacancies in day nurseries, there are only 15 after school club places having 6 vacancies. ¾ As parents have indicated that they are dissatisfied with choice childcare, there may be a need to develop further after school places to give more choice ¾ It is worth noting that there is no pre-school in this CoOP and parents have not indicated this as a future demand. However, there has been a 15% birth rate growth in, so this may become an issue. ¾ High proportion of respondents do not think that Information on childcare/other services/activities is made available.

Gaps Identified Type Gap- After school clubs Information Gap - to promote FIS

115

Tividale Core Offer Partnership

Tividale Core Offer Partnerships consists of the following neighbourhoods: Brades Village Burnt Tree Grace Mary Oakham Temple Way Tividale

Demographic Data

Total Population 11778 Population of 0-14 2294 Families receiving child 1695 benefit Lone Parents 550 Ethnicity school White 36.91% age children BME 63.09% Out of work benefit 1365 recipients

¾ This CoOP has the smallest overall population. ¾ Just over 19% of the population is 0-14 years which is slightly lower than the Sandwell average. ¾ Just under 5% of the population is lone parents and has the lowest number of lone parents. ¾ Nearly 12 % of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is similar to Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is higher than the Sandwell average

Supply of Childcare Tividale CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 8 10 8 5 0 31 Day Nurseries 34 30 2 0 0 66 Playgroups 4 8 0 0 0 12 Before School 0 5 22 25 3 55 After School 0 4 22 20 1 47 Holiday Play scheme 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crèche 6 6 8 0 0 20 TOTAL 52 63 62 50 4 231

116

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 593 52 1:11 3-4 337 63 1:5 5-7 419 62 1:7 8-10 400 50 1:8 11-14 545 4 1:136

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire

Tividale CoOP Providers Views Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 6 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 14 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 0 away away Before School 30 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 0 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme - Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 50

Extended Services Feedback This CoOP made up of three primary schools, one secondary school, one Special School and a Children’s Centre. Working together, the CoOP has developed a shared vision of a wider local community, which reflects the broad and rich cultural diversity of the area. Throughout the CoOP, activities take place including holiday schemes, afterschool activities and breakfast clubs. Comments from the parents and pupils for the summer scheme include:

117 “Coming to the scheme has helped with the transition by making new friends and meeting the staff” (pupil)

“Very well organised, my son loved the activities (parent) The Special School provides a key role within the partnership, giving advice and guidance on making extended services activities fully inclusive. The secondary school hosts a range of activities beyond the school day and during the Easter and Summer holidays. This includes study support activities, transition programmes and summer holiday programmes. The CoOP has proactive pupil council who provide innovative ideas about the type of extended services that they want to access

Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ With regards to help with childcare costs, although the sample from this CoOP was very small, this CoOP had the lowest help towards childcare cost through the childcare element of the working tax credit. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, respondents in this CoOP are the least satisfied with their current childcare arrangements and are second highest respondents who are dissatisfied with where their childcare is located. ¾ This CoOP has the highest number of respondents (85%) that indicated that childcare costs have prevented them or their partner from retuning to work this is significantly higher than the Sandwell average (56%) ¾ Furthermore, 50% of respondents indicated that they do not use childcare as it is too expensive. ¾ Over one third of the respondents in this CoOP cited that childcare is unable to cover work or training hours and have prevented them or their partner from retuning to work. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; before and after school clubs; holiday playschemes and after school activities. This CoOP has the highest demand for Holiday Playschemes. Although overall the demand for nanny/home childcarer is very low this CoOP has the highest demand. ¾ Over 50% of Tividale respondents indicate that they use the FIS for childcare Information.

Key Findings ¾ Low take up of childcare element of Working Tax credit ¾ Least satisfied with childcare arrangements and childcare location ¾ High proportion not returning to work because of childcare costs ¾ With regards to childcare meeting the needs of working pattern this need to be further investigated to try and encourage childcare

118 providers to meet families need, as well as informing employers of the issues families are experiencing. ¾ The data shows that across all age range , the place : child ratio is significantly lower than Sandwell average ¾ Future demand for childcare is family/friends; before and after school clubs; holiday playschemes and after school activities. ¾ Data shows that there is over 50% vacancy in before school clubs, after school clubs have no vacancies and there are no holiday playschemes.

Gaps Identified

Type Gap – After school clubs and holiday playschemes Information Gap - To promote help with childcare costs.

119 Wednesbury North Core Offer Partnership

The Wednesbury North Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Golf Links Wednesbury Central Wood Green and Old Park

Demographic Data

Total Population 11967 Population of 0-14 2279 Families receiving child 1665 benefit Lone Parents 550 Ethnicity school White 69.05% age children BME 30.95% Out of work benefit 1555 recipients

¾ This CoOP has the second smallest population. ¾ 13% of the population is 0-14 which is significantly lower than the Sandwell average. This CoOP has the lowest 0-14 proportion to the population. ¾ Just over 4% of the population is lone parents; however this CoOP has the lowest number of lone parents. ¾ 13% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is slightly higher than the Sandwell average. This CoOP has the highest number of people receiving out of work benefits. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ As previously mentioned this CoOp has a low take up of childcare element of tax credit

Supply of Childcare Wednesbury North CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 3 4 3 2 0 12 Day Nurseries 162 146 10 0 0 318 Playgroups 6 10 0 0 0 16 Before School 0 7 32 38 4 81 After School 0 7 35 32 2 76 Holiday Play scheme 0 20 48 34 7 109 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 171 194 128 106 13 612

120 Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 507 171 1:3 3-4 315 194 1:2 5-7 466 128 1:4 8-10 396 106 1:4 11-14 595 13 1:46

Vacancies Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire

Wednesbury Providers Views North CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 8 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 57 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 0 away away Before School 8 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 7 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 18 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 98

Extended Services Feedback Wednesbury North CoOP provides a range of activities and services for 6 primary schools and 2 secondary schools. The CoOP has developed a joint agenda for both Extended Services and Children's Centres Services to ensure a consistency of experience for all families in Wednesbury North. Schools have a wide and diverse range of extended provision ranging from wraparound provision at two primary schools , to thriving sports and drama programmes at two secondary schools.

121 Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ This CoOP along with Harvills and Hateley CoOP had the lowest respondents to the question on use of childcare options, the most commonly used type for childcare are family friends 57%; after school activities 39% and before school clubs 26% ¾ Wednesbury North and Tipton North have the highest respondents that are satisfied to use family/friends to care for their children. Similarly, Tipton North and Wednesbury North are the highest respondents who indicated that they do not use childcare and do not expect to do so in the next 3 years. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements; that childcare is of good quality and satisfied with where childcare is located. However, over a third of the respondents are dissatisfied with the choice of local childcare ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; before and after school clubs and after school activities. This CoOp has the highest demand for before school clubs. Although overall the demand for childminders to cater for children 5-11 years is not particularly high this CoOP has the highest demand. ¾ This CoOP has the lowest usage of FIS for childcare information (21%)

Key findings ¾ High usage of family and friends for childcare and also satisfied with these arrangements. ¾ Some dissatisfaction with choice of childcare but also have low usage of FIS. ¾ Future demand is family/friends; before and after school clubs and after school activities, with the highest proportion of respondents indicating before school clubs. ¾ The data shows that in this CoOP that the places: children ratio is higher than Sandwell average across all age ranges. ¾ The data shows there is a less than 10% vacancy level in before school clubs and after school club respectively. FIS noted that there was an unmet demand in this CoOP for holiday playschemes. However, data shows over 15% vacancy. ¾ As indicated there is a heavy reliance on family/friends, and dissatisfaction with choice, after school activities; before school and after school clubs will need to be monitored to ensure that they met the needs of families.

Gaps Identified Information Gap – To promote FIS

122 West Bromwich Central Core Offer Partnership

The West Bromwich Central Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods: Beeches Road Black Lake South Europa Estate Greets Green Hallam Hambletts South Kenrick Estate Lodge Road and West Bromwich Lyndon Lyng Oak House North Oak House South Swan Village and Carters Green Tantany

Demographic Data

Total Population 27866 Population of 0-14 6499 Families receiving child 3750 benefit Lone Parents 1390 Ethnicity school White 31.58% age children BME 68.42% Out of work benefit 3975 recipients

¾ Just over 23% of the population is 0-14 which is higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ Nearly 5% of the population is lone parents; this CoOP has the second highest number of lone parents. ¾ Just over 14% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits, which is higher than the Sandwell average. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is significantly lower than the Sandwell average. ¾ As previously mentioned this CoOP has one of the lowest take up of the childcare element of the working tax credit.

123 Supply of Childcare West Bromwich Central CoOP places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 18 22 19 11 1 71 Day Nurseries 148 134 9 0 0 291 Playgroups 0 0 0 0 0 0 Before School 0 7 31 37 4 79 After School 0 25 126 115 8 274 Holiday Play scheme 0 50 119 86 17 272 Crèche 5 5 7 0 0 17 TOTAL 171 243 311 249 30 1004

Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified: Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 1442 171 1:8 3-4 896 243 1:4 5-7 1221 311 1:5 8-10 1240 249 1:5 11-14 1700 30 1:57

Vacancies

Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire

West Bromwich Providers Views Central CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 30 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 38 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup - away away Before School 5 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 69 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 170 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 312

124 Extended Services Feedback West Bromwich Central CoOP is made up of nine primary schools, one secondary school, three children’s centres and a variety of voluntary and community organisations.

The CoOP works together to ensure that there are wraparound childcare in schools and community settings. During term time these include formal breakfast and afterschool provision as well as extended services clubs such as football, sports, arts and music. During school holidays provision is provided through community organisations and activities at a secondary school which runs a variety of themed camps and transition weeks during the summer holiday.

West Bromwich Central CoOP has been involved in the organisation and delivery of a wide variety of events including Family Sports Day, Family Learning Festival activities, CoOP football league, CoOP Community Choir, Art Exhibition and West Bromwich World Cup Community Carnival, which helps to support the community cohesion agenda across the wider community.

Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area:

¾ This CoOP indicates that their current usage of childcare is mainly family/friend and pre-school playgroup ¾ This CoOP has the lowest respondents who use childcare because of employment. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, overall respondents in this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements and that childcare is of good quality. ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; day nurseries; pre-school playgroups and after school activities. This CoOP has the second highest demand for pre-school playgroup and would have the lowest demand for after school club and holiday playscheme. ¾ Only 25% of respondents use FIS for childcare information.

Key Findings ¾ High usage of pre-school playgroup, however no pre-school playgroup in the CoOP. ¾ Low usage of childcare for employment reasons. ¾ The data shows that in this CoOP the places: children ratio is lower than Sandwell average across the 0-2 year age range. ¾ Respondents indicated that in the future they would require family/friends; day nurseries; pre-school playgroup and after school

125 activities for childcare. However there is over 13% vacancy in day nurseries and as mentioned before there is no pre-school playgroup. ¾ After school activities will need to be monitored to ensure that they meet the needs of families. The FIS noted unmet demand for school aged provisions for parents who are studying; this CoOP indicates a very low demand for after school club and data shows over 25% vacancy level. However, there is a low vacancy level in before school just over 6%, this will need to be monitored to ensure this continues to meet the needs of parents. ¾ Lower than average use of FIS for childcare information.

Gaps Identified

Type gap – Pre-School Playgroup Information Gap – To promote FIS

126 West Bromwich North Core Offer Partnership The West Bromwich North Core Offer Partnership consists of the following neighbourhoods:

Yew Tree and Tamebridge Charlemont Farm and Bustlehome Wigmore Hall End Great Barr East Great Barr West Hamstead Newton Hamstead Newton

Demographic Data

Total Population 36599 Population of 0-14 6479 Families receiving child 4980 benefit Lone Parents 1570 Ethnicity school White 47.88% age children BME 52.12% Out of work benefit 3150 recipients

¾ This CoOP has the largest population ¾ Over 17% of the population is 0-14 which is lower than the Sandwell average. ¾ Just over 4% of the population is lone parents which is lower than the Sandwell average. ¾ 8% of the population is in receipt of out of work benefits which is one of the lowest in Sandwell. This is similar to Oldbury South. ¾ Data also showed that this CoOP income level is the highest in Sandwell ¾ As previously mentioned this CoOP has one of the highest take up of the childcare element of the working tax credit, which is similar to Oldbury South and Smethwick South

Supply of Childcare West Bromwich North Core Offer Partnership places TYPE 0 – 2 3 – 4 5 – 7 8 – 10 11 - 14 TOTAL Childminders 35 45 38 21 1 140 Day Nurseries 88 79 5 0 0 172 Playgroups 62 116 0 0 0 178 Before School 0 10 42 50 5 107 After School 0 26 132 121 9 288 Holiday Play scheme 0 20 48 35 7 110 Crèche 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 185 296 265 227 22 995

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Based on the demographic data and the supply of childcare places the following can be identified:

Age Population Childcare Places Place: Children range (approx) 0-2 1422 185 1:8 3-4 896 296 1:3 5-7 1221 265 1:5 8-10 1240 227 1:5 11-14 1700 22 1:77

Vacancies Vacancy levels were extracted from the FIS database (October 10). Provider’s views on vacancies are based on responses from the childcare provider questionnaire

West Bromwich Providers Views North CoOP Vacancies Max No. 0-2yrs 3-4 yrs 5-7 8-10 11-14 Provider Type Vacancies yrs yrs yrs Fill Fill them them straight On straight Childminder 27 away occasion away Always Always On On Day nursery 21 occasion occasion Fill them Fill them straight straight Pre-School Playgroup 43 away away Before School 12 Usually Usually Always Always Fill Fill them them straight straight After School Care 31 Usually away away Always On Holiday Scheme 79 Always Always Usually occasion Crèche n/a Total 213

Extended Services Feedback This CoOP comprises of 11 Junior and Infants Schools (including two faith schools), one Academy and one Residential School located outside of the borough.

Schools provide a range of formal and informal childcare opportunities before and after the school day and during the holidays. There is a strong focus on providing additional support for parents and families through a network of parent support advisors.

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Demand for Childcare Data tables for information on demand are included in appendix 15.

From the parent questionnaire the following has been highlighted as pertinent to this CoOP area: ¾ West Bromwich North has the highest number of respondents using day nurseries. ¾ With regards to satisfaction with childcare, the respondent from this CoOP indicated that they are satisfied with their childcare arrangements; that childcare is of good quality; that childcare caters for their child’s needs and that they are satisfied with travel or transport to childcare. However, over a third of the respondents are dissatisfied with the choice of local childcare ¾ Over one third of respondents indicated that no suitable employment was available that fits in with childcare provision, this is higher than the Sandwell average (28%) ¾ The childcare that most respondents indicated that they would require in the next 3 years is family/friends; day nurseries and after school club. This CoOP indicates that they would have the lowest demand for after school activities. ¾ 30% of respondents use the FIS for childcare information which is lower than the Sandwell average (34%)

Key Findings ¾ High usage of day nurseries. ¾ The times when childcare is available does not meet working patterns. It is important to bear in mind that childcare providers indicated that there are limitations with provisions to meet the needs of parents who work shift patterns ¾ In general the respondents are satisfied with childcare although there is some dissatisfaction with choice. ¾ With regards to childcare meeting the needs of working pattern this need to be further investigated to try and encourage childcare providers to meet families needs, as well as informing employers of the issues families are experiencing ¾ Data shows that in this CoOP places: children ratio is lower for the 0-2 age range and the 11-14 age range than the Sandwell average. . ¾ The future demand for childcare is indicated as family/friends; day nurseries and after school club. The vacancy level for day nursery and after school clubs are 12% and 11% respectively. The FIS noted unmet demand for childminder to do school pick up, however vacancy level with childminders is over 19%. ¾ Lower than average usage of FIS for childcare information

Gaps Identified Type Gap – Day nursery and after school club Time Gap – to meet working patterns Information Gap – To promote FIS

129 Consultation

The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment was widely distributed for consultation; the draft document was sent to schools, libraries, children centres, job centres, childcare providers and strategic partners, the consultation was also made available on the Internet. There were only 4 respondents, not all respondents answered all of the questions.

The consultation response forms (Appendix 16) was analysed and the following was noted:

¾ That the findings for the Friar Park CoOP should be revisited to ensure that this is reflective of the area. ¾ Parents would benefit from more information online ¾ A childminder indicated that she is available for shift pattern but has not received any enquiries from parents, also mentioned that school pick up can impact on full time places.

Of those respondents who identified their gender 4 are females and 1 male. All respondents are White British.

The document was also sent to the Chair of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel and no issues were raised.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Sandwell is a multicultural and diverse borough with many of the socio-economic indicators of deprivation. Sufficient high quality childcare is a key factor in the Government Anti-poverty Strategy to support parents back into work or training to reduce child poverty.

The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the supply and demand of childcare across the borough. The assessment was undertaken at a local level through ‘Core Offer Partnerships’ and for Sandwell as a whole.

Sandwell has over 5500 childcare places with the highest volume in childcare on domestic premises. Over the last 3 years there has been a reduction in the number of childcare places nationally. However when compared to our West Midland neighbours and our statistical neighbour Sandwell has managed to retain more childcare places both for childminders and overall places.

Information, advice, support and training are provided to Sandwell childcare providers by the Local Authority, which supports them in delivering high quality childcare to the parents of the borough. In general, parents, childcare providers, Ofsted and the Early Years Childcare Development team rated childcare provisions as of good quality.

As part of the assessment process employers across Sandwell were surveyed and in general employers do not feel that childcare is a barrier to recruitment or retention of staff, however they do not provide much childcare support. Employer’s views on childcare are that it is expensive, not flexible enough and that school holiday’s can be challenging. Over 40% of employers who responded operate a shift pattern and over 41% expected employees to work weekends. Employers would benefit from information and support on childcare issues, family friendly policies and increased awareness of the FIS.

Ten parents focus groups were held across the borough from a wide range of parents, they indicated that the cost of childcare was a barrier to them using childcare. Another issue was that childcare was not available to meet working patterns. Lack of trust was also a major issue for parents who were reticent about leaving their children with someone who was not a family member or friend. Parents would benefit from better quality of information and increased awareness of the work of the FIS.

There were also ten children and young people focus groups; they indicated that the main reason for them attending childcare provision was that their parents work, that they were happy with the choice and range of activities and food/snack provided. Some children felt that although they were consulted there were issues with communicating the outcome of the consultations.

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Childcare providers were surveyed as part of the assessment process and they indicated that they do not intend to increase the number of places they provide, however, a high proportion indicated that they would continue to offer childcare provision in the long term. Vacancy levels were highest amongst the out of school sector i.e. before and after school clubs and holiday playschemes. The majority of providers would not be able to accommodate parents who work shift patterns.

The provision of Free Early Learning & Care (Nursery Education) was assessed and Sandwell has a good mix of providers across the maintained, private and voluntary sector. Currently there are 5347 places in the maintained sector and 1019 in the Private and Voluntary Sector. There was a steep increase in the borough’s birth rate from 2005 to 2008, which has levelled off since then, the free for 2 project has supported the transition of 2 year old children into Free Early Learning & Care. The implications of this is that the surplus place in the maintained sector has decreased by 10% while the private and voluntary sector has grown by over 100% over the past 3 years. Parents indicated that they would use day nursery and pre-school playgroup for 3 year olds and schools for 4 year olds.

Information gathered also showed that the maintained sector needs to be encouraged and supported to offer nursery education more flexibly.

For Nursery Education the following gaps have been identified: Geographical Gap: Tividale CoOP; Smethwick South CoOP; Friar Park CoOP; Oldbury North and West Bromwich North.

Time Gap – Friar Park

The childcare needs of specific groups i.e. children with disability; lone parents; children aged 11-14; armed forces families; BME families and Looked After Children were also assessed and although no specific need gap was identified these groups would benefit from better awareness of the FIS and greater input of childcare brokers ; high quality specific tailored information including help with childcare costs; increase awareness of access to better off calculations from the appropriate agencies as well as details of other services which support families.

The borough as a whole was assessed for supply to demand and the most pertinent findings were that parents in general relied heavily on family and friends as part of their childcare mix; that future demand would be for after school activities and before and after school clubs.

However as vacancies currently exists in before and after school type of provisions it would be advisable that this was not seen as a gap across the borough but to address where this has been identified in specific CoOPs; that the times that childcare is available does not meet working patterns, childcare providers indicated limited availability for shift workers and night workers, this

132 is one area where a lot of support to both parents and childcare providers will be needed to address this issue; that childcare costs is a barrier this is an area where information with help with childcare costs will need to become a priority for the Local authority and key partners.

The gaps identified are:

Time Gap – parents have not found it easy to find childcare to meet their working pattern.

Information Gap- FIS may not be the first place parent’s contact to find out childcare information. As a result parents may not receive the most comprehensive, accurate and up to date information which FIS provide.

Individual CoOPs were also assessed for the demand to supply of childcare and the following gaps were identified:

Time gap- parents have identified that the times childcare are available are not meeting their needs in the following CoOPs: Cradley Heath; Rowley; Smethwick North and West Bromwich North

Geographical Gap – parents have not found it easy to find childcare locally in the following CoOP: Harvills and Hateley Heath – to explore the need for childminders and day nurseries in the Harvills Hawthorn neighbourhood

Type Gap/Age Gap – parents have not found it easy to find the type of childcare to suit the age of their child for which they have expressed a preference in the following CoOPs:

Cradley Heath - Before school clubs and childminders Oldbury South – Before school and after school clubs Smethwick Cape Hill – Day nurseries and childminders Smethwick South – Day nurseries Tipton North – Before school and after school clubs Tipton South – After school clubs Tividale – After school clubs and holiday playschemes West Bromwich Central – Pre-school playgroup West Bromwich North – After School Clubs and Day Nurseries

Several other key factors were identified from the assessment:

Cost of childcare- was identified as a barrier to returning to work or training as a borough wide issue but also in the following CoOPs: Smethwick South; Tividale; Wednesbury North

Information Gap- parents do not use FIS as a first choice to find out about childcare, particularly in the following CoOPs: Harvills and Hateley Heath, Rowley; Smethwick South; Tipton North; Tipton South; West Bromwich Central; West Bromwich North.

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Recommendation

1. In order to secure sufficient childcare a detailed and comprehensive action plan is to be developed to address the following gaps, however it is important to review the current economic climate regularly to ensure that demographic changes has not impacted on these

2. To closely monitor the number of Nursery Education places available in Tividale CoOP; Smethwick South CoOP; Friar Park CoOP; Oldbury North CoOP and West Bromwich North CoOP to ensure that sufficient places are available to meet the needs of parents/carers.

3. To explore ways of addressing the times Nursery Education places is available in Friar Park CoOP.

4. To explore ways of supporting the maintain sector to deliver nursery education more flexible.

5. To explore ways of addressing the times that childcare is available as this does not meet the working patterns of parents. This issue exists across the borough as whole but in particular in Cradley Heath; Rowley; Smethwick North and West Bromwich North. Childcare providers have indicated that they would not be able to accommodate shift worker. It will be important for childcare brokers to work closely with parents to look at all options that are available to them.

6. To engage with employers to raise the profile of the FIS and to offer support on childcare issues and family friendly policies.

7. To explore the need for childminders in Cradley and Smethwick Cape Hill CoOP.

8. The Harvills Hawthorn neighbourhood of the Harvills and Hateley CoOP is very distinct and not a natural neighbour of the other neighbourhoods in the CoOP, as no day nursery/ childminders exist it maybe worth exploring either of these options for this neighbourhood.

9. In consultation with neighbouring Local Authorities, childcare providers and local communities, explore the demand and viability of providing additional day nursery provisions in Smethwick Cape Hill; Smethwick South and West Bromwich North. This has been identified as a need by parent, vacancy levels in these Coops is also very low. Current providers have indicated that they would not be willing to extend their provisions. However, before any new provisions are developed it would be advisable that a comprehensive business plan including a detailed market research is undertaken.

134 10. Extended Services and the Early Years and Childcare Unit Development Team to work in partnership to address the following out of school clubs shortages: Before School Club– Cradley; Oldbury South; Tipton North After School Club- Oldbury South, Tipton North, Tividale and West Bromwich North Holiday Playscheme- Tividale.

11. Working with the Extended Services Team ensures that all CoOPs are providing access to varied and high quality after-school activities.

12. There are no pre-school playgroups in the West Bromwich Central CoOP. This will need to be addressed as it would appear that parents have had to travel to other CoOP areas to access pre-school playgroup provisions.

13. Re-focus the marketing strategy of the Family Information Service to:. ¾ Ensure that all parents know how to find out about childcare and to specifically target Harvills and Hateley Heath, Rowley; Smethwick South; Tipton North; Tipton South; West Bromwich Central; West Bromwich North. ¾ Develop and maintain good working relationships with key partners such as schools, children centre, Job Centre Plus, health visitors and libraries so that they signpost parents back to the FIS this will ensure that parents receive comprehensive, accurate and up to date information. ¾ More and more parents are using the Internet as a means of accessing information and greater emphasis will need to be placed on raising awareness to parents of the local and national websites which contains up to date, accurate childcare information. ¾ Tailored support and up to date information to specific group’s i.e. lone parents; armed forces families; BME families and Looked after Children.

14. Evaluate the Early Years and Childcare Unit communication strategy to ensure that key partners; including Job Centre Plus promote the take up of the childcare element of Working Tax Credits and any other support available with childcare costs as childcare cost is seen as a barrier.

15. To work with JCP to support parents affected by the Change in Lone Parents obligations that sees the age reduce to 7 years and over, where a Lone Parent will no longer be able to claim Income Support solely on the grounds they are a Lone Parent.

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