27 March (Part 2) - Child care and education
Monday saw another Children’s and Education Scrutiny meeting; not something I find very interesting but someone somewhere may wish to keep an eye on things.
• 92% of Bexley schools now have OFSTED ratings of Good or Outstanding.
• Only two weeks ago we were told how Bexley is
doing very well with its Education
and Health Care Plans and suddenly that is no longer the case. 90% down to only 77% being completed on time but a temporary blip
due to strikes and staff shortages so it was said.
• The cost of child care placements is astronomical with the highest nationally being
£63,000 per week and £27,000 in London. In Bexley the highest is £16,000 for one child per week.
• The Covid period additional demand for services is gradually abating.
• Recreational Courses have become too expensive so the same tutors are
operating independently at about a third of the cost. College overheads are
massively too high. (From a statement by Councillor John Davey which was not disputed.)
• The number of children registered with
Children’s Centres varies between 2 and
13% across different Council wards without any very obvious geographical pattern.
Methods for attracting more are being considered. (Social Media etc.)