Issue - meetings

To seek approval to commence the statutory process to change the age range from 4-11 to 3-11 years old at Cledford Primary School, Middlewich.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services considered a report proposing a change of age range from 4-11 to 3-11 years old at Cledford Primary School, Long Lane South, Middlewich.

The Childcare Act 2006 had imposed two key duties on local authorities regarding childcare:

·         A duty to secure sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents and those training for work.

·         A duty to secure free early years provision for all 3 and 4 year old children.

The Local Authority, therefore, had a duty to ensure that as far as was reasonably practicable, all eligible children could access a free place (the Free Education Entitlement).  Changing the age range at Cledford Primary School, to enable the admission of children from aged 3 years would enable parents to continue to access their free entitlement at this school and would improve outcomes for children. 

RESOLVED

That Officers be given approval to consult on and publish a statutory notice in respect of proposals to change the age range from 4-11 to 3-11 years old at Cledford Primary School, Long Lane South, Middlewich, Cheshire.