Purpose

The Childcare Expansion Capital Grant has been allocated to local authorities to:

• Support the expansion of early years provision for 2-year-olds and under 2s.
• Increase the availability of wraparound provision for primary school aged children so that parents can access childcare before and after the standard school day whilst they are at work.

The capital funding will be made available to private, voluntary, and independent childcare providers, childminders and schools to create new places or expand existing provision in priority areas across Lancashire where there is a need for additional places.

The county council has been allocated £2,519,795 of capital funding for these expansion programmes. The split is based on 80% towards the expansion of early years provision for 2-year-olds and under 2s, and 20% towards the expansion of wraparound provision.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C18 have been complied with.

Decision

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.