Appendix a and Individually Listed in Appendix B

PROPOSAL 14 GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL

EDUCATION SERVICES

RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION

RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE EDUCATION PROVISION FOR EARLY YEARS CHILDREN AT KINNING PARK NURSERY SCHOOL AND FESTIVAL PARK DAY NURSERY

REPORT BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Establishment Ward Strategic Learning Planning Community Area Kinning Park Nursery School (5) Govan South West Bellahouston Festival Park Day Nursery (5) Govan South West Bellahouston

This document has been issued by Glasgow City Council in response to Consultation in terms of the Education (Publications and Consultations etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and amendment Regulations 1987, 1988, 1989 and 2007.

GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL

EDUCATION SERVICES

RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION

RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE EDUCATION PROVISION FOR EARLY YEARS CHILDREN AT KINNING PARK NURSERY SCHOOL AND FESTIVAL PARK DAY NURSERY

1. Introduction

1.1 On 29 January, 2009 Glasgow City Council approved consultation on 22 proposals contained within the Education Estate Strategy 2009-2012.

1.2 A core element of the consultation process was the issue of individual and detailed consultative documents.

1.3 This proposal, Proposal 14, was issued on the future education provision for early years’ children attending Kinning Park Nursery School and Festival Park Day Nursery.

1.4 Responses to the proposal contained in the document were requested from interested parties by 18 March, 2009. This allowed for a 6 week term time consultation in excess of the statutory 28 day requirement.

1.5 In relation to this proposal a public consultation meeting was held in Lorne Street Primary School. Approximately 23 people attended the meeting in Lorne Street Primary School. The questions and issues raised at these meetings are contained in Appendix C.

1.6 Meetings were also held with children and staff in the establishments potentially affected by the proposals, elected members, Area Committees and parent/carer groups whenever possible in order to facilitate the consultation process.

2. Response to the Consultation

2.1 10 responses to this proposal were received and these are summarised in Appendix A and individually listed in Appendix B.

2.2 A brief analysis of the main issues raised are summarised below and are expanded in detail in Appendix D.

i. Of the 10 responses received 2 were supportive of the proposal, 2 were unclear and 6 were against.

2.3 The main issues raised by respondents in relation to this proposal are shown below. A full breakdown of all issues raised is detailed in Appendix D.

Issues No of Respondents

i. Other 3 ii. Capacity 3 iii. Financial Issues 3

2.4 The main issues detailed above in 2.3 are explored further in Section 3 below.

2.5 As can be noted in Appendix B, responses are summarised in Appendix A.

3. Main Issues

3.1 Early years’ services within Glasgow are increasingly delivered within an integrated context where early childhood education and care are seen as interdependent and mutually supportive

3.2 Nationally, Scottish Ministers are clear within statutory guidance that local authorities should not view pre-school education in isolation but should fully link it to wider strategic goals to achieve better outcomes for all children and families. Commitment also exists to supporting parents to combine family responsibilities with work, study or training and Councils are required to consider the development of children’s daycare alongside pre-school education in order to support family prosperity and the transition from welfare to work.

3.3 It is in this context that the Early Childhood and Extended Services Strategy 2008-2013 has been agreed, with aspirations to develop flexible early years services within local communities which enable parents to access integrated education and childcare, 52 weeks a year from 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.

3.4 The education provided by Kinning Park Nursery School and Festival Park Day Nursery is valued highly by parents/carers, as is the place of the nurseries within their respective communities.

3.5 The main issues identified through the consultation are detailed below. Appendix D provides details of all issues raised.

Issue: Other

4 respondents raised concerns regarding the lack of availability of places in the area and what they saw as a lack of fairness in the admissions system. In addition a few respondents raised individual concerns.

Response

There is no plan to reduce the total number of places available on an area basis. If the proposal goes ahead, Festival Park Day Nursery would increase in size and would therefore be able to accommodate an increased number of children for longer hours, and over a 52 week period which would offer increased options for local parents.

Therefore there would be more availability for parents. A place cannot be guaranteed at any early years’ establishment. There are no statutory catchment areas and places are allocated according to the Admissions Policy and discussion at the local Admissions Panel. Information on the criteria used in allocating places is available in the nursery and on the Glasgow City Council website. Applications are banded according to Glasgow City Council's admissions policy which is in place to ensure that nobody is discriminated against and to ensure that

3 those children most in need of placement as detailed in the policy bandings are accommodated.

Officers and agencies would work together to address any individual concerns of children, parents, staff or carers related to the proposals

Issue: Capacity

A few parents are concerned that it may be more difficult for their child to cope in a larger nursery and that the good working relations between nursery staff, children and parents would be impaired.

Response

The Council’s strategy is designed to provide resourcing for full curricular provision, for support for learning and behaviour, for the pastoral care and supervision of children and for working with parents.

Although the merged nursery may be larger overall, Care Commission staffing requirements for extended day provision mean that children will operate within smaller groups within the setting: 1 adult to 8 children as opposed to 1 adult to 10 children.

Issue: Financial Issues

3 respondents expressed the view that the proposal would not incur any financial saving for the Council

Response

Given the co-location of services within the same building, an opportunity exists to streamline the operational management structure and extend the flexibility of available services by integrating the nurseries into a single early years’ service. This will result in a coherent service for current and prospective parents as well as a financial saving.

3.6 Overall, whilst a range of issues and concerns were raised concerning this proposal, there remains a strong case for a merger that will enable children and parents to access an enhanced service on one site and provide greater flexibility both in terms of staffing and learning and teaching approaches, techniques and styles.

4. Recommendations

4.1 After consultation it is recommended that Glasgow City Council agrees the following:

i. Kinning Park Nursery School be closed at the end of session 2008/2009 and that children transfer to Festival Park Day Nursery at the beginning of session 2009/2010.

ii. Children due to commence at Kinning Park Nursery School in session 2009/2010 would be offered a place at Festival Park Day Nursery at the beginning of session 2009/2010.

Appendices

A Category of Responses

B List of Respondents to Consultation Document 14

C Issues raised at the Public Meetings

D Issues and responses arising from the Consultation

E Alternative Proposals

F Graphical representations

APPENDIX D

GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL EDUCATION SERVICES

ISSUES AND RESPONSES ARISING FROM THE CONSULTATION

ISSUE ARISING FROM THE CONSULTATION RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE 1. Other 3 respondents raised concerns regarding the lack There is no plan to reduce the total number of of availability of places in the area and what they places available on an area basis. If the proposal saw as a lack of fairness in the admissions goes ahead, Festival Park Day Nursery would system. In addition a few respondents raised increase in size and would therefore be able to individual concerns. accommodate an increased number of children for longer hours, and over a 52 week period, which would offer increased options for local parents. Therefore there would be more availability for parents. A place cannot be guaranteed at any early years’ establishment.

There are no statutory catchment areas and places are allocated according to the admissions policy and discussion at the local Admissions Panel. Information on the criteria used in allocating places is available in the nursery and on the Glasgow City Council website.

Applications are banded according to Glasgow City Council's admissions policy which is in place to ensure that nobody is discriminated against and to ensure that those children most in need of placement as detailed in the policy bandings are accommodated.

Officers and agencies would work together to address any individual concerns of children, parents, staff or carers related to the proposals.

2. Capacity 3 respondents were concerned that it may be The Council’s strategy is designed to provide more difficult for their child to cope in a larger resourcing for full curricular provision, for support nursery and that the good working relations for learning and behaviour, for the pastoral care between nursery staff, children and parents and supervision of children and for working with would be impaired. parents. A careful programme of supported transition arrangements will be put in place to allow both communities to come together. Children with particular needs will have an individualised transition plan. Staff will transfer with the children wherever possible, in line with Council policy.

Appendix D 14wodmdABC 3. Financial Issues 3 respondents expressed the view that the Given the co-location of services within the same proposal would not incur any financial saving for building, an opportunity exists to streamline the the Council. operational management structure and extend the flexibility of available services by integrating the nurseries into a single early years service. This will result in a financial saving.

4. Class sizes 2 respondents were concerned of the effect the Although the merged nursery would be larger merger would have on class sizes. overall, Care Commission staffing requirements for extended day provision mean that children will operate within smaller groups within the setting – 1 adult to 8 children as opposed to 1 adult to 10 children.

5. Relationships / friendships 2 respondents had concerns over relationships A careful programme of supported transition and friendships. arrangements will be put in place. Staff will transfer with the children wherever possible, in line with Council policy.

6. Education case 1 respondent felt that the education case The children will benefit educationally from was not made. greater sharing of staff expertise and learning in more flexible and responsive peer groups. 7. Distance I respondent expressed concern regarding Both nurseries are currently in the same the distance. building.

Appendix D 14wodmdABC