Directory

Access tools

News

24 Mar 99

DISTRICT AUDIT REPORT PRAISES EDUCATION FOR UNDER FIVES IN POOLE

Poole's approach to Education for Under Fives has been praised by the District Auditor under the Audit Commission's annual review of the Council's work. The following areas were highlighted:

The Early Years and Child Care Partnership brings together private, voluntary and statutory agencies in Poole to provide high quality early years and child care provision for children aged up to 14 years of age. The Partnership has developed a Plan explaining the strategy to expand the number of early education and child care places available and to make services more accessible to everyone.

The District Auditor, Linda Krywald, in reviewing Poole's work praised the Partnership's production of a widely supported strategy in a short timescale. In her report, the Auditor quotes one Partnership member who describes the Borough's approach as open door with a very positive atmosphere of collaboration.

A free early education place for every 4 year old, whose parent wishes to access this, is available under the Nursery Education Grant Scheme. Day care provision is expanding and improving its quality. Increased support is being provided by the Borough of Poole and its partners to the providers of day care to help them to achieve this essential service.

The District Auditor also made several recommendations to further improve practice, and these have already been taken forward by the Partnership. These include monitoring access and shortfall in provision, a strategy for raise standards and ensure quality provision and a long term strategy for involving parents.

Early Years and Child Care Co-ordinator, Sue Willcocks, says, "This is an exciting and challenging time. We are setting up a comprehensive Early Years and Child Care Service in Poole. In the autumn we shall launch an Information Service which will enable parents, children, employers and providers to easily access high quality information on all local services."

Sue Willcocks, Early Years and Child Care Co-ordinator