Childcare-Sufficiency-Assessment-Refresh-March-2013-Final-Draft

18. Consultation with Children and Young PeopleIn most settings consultation with children occurs on a daily basis and for this purpose we have developed anddelivered a training programme based on the Mosaic approach, so that consultation with and participation ofchildren is embedded practice rather than a ‘one off ‘annual event. It should also be acknowledged that childrenattend the provisions chosen by their parents, in order to meet the parents’ childcare needs in order for them towork or train. Children and young people’s views on whether they liked their childcare setting were not sought as apart of this audit but their views are taken into account at the individual childcare setting level. There is likely to beinconsistency in the use and spread of the Mosaic approach across RCT but this will be addressed as part of theQuality Assurance Award.One of the Core Aims under the Single Plan for Children and Young People is to ensure providers working withChildren and Young People consult with and engage them. Providers are asked how they implement this task andhow they can evidence what actions they take in response. It is standard practice to ask providers how theyencourage children and young people to participate and become involved in the planning of their day, activitiesetc….CSSIW also ask for evidence as part of their inspection.19. Nursery Education Places for Three Year OldsIn Rhondda Cynon Taf, 99.5% of children at age 3 have their nursery education needs met in their local school.However, there are occasions, particularly regarding the demand for Welsh Medium nursery education placeswhere children are offered free part time education in a non maintained Registered Education setting. We are asconfident that we can be that virtually 100% of three year olds are accessing, as a minimum, part time nurseryeducation.The DART team within the Education and Lifelong Learning Division currently undertakes forecasting of schoolplaces. Responsibility for Early Years provision resides with the Children’s Services Division of Community andChildren’s Services.In assessing demand for school places, DART prepare estimates of demand for Reception and the previous 2years based on birth rate data, applying certain formulae to aid forecasting. Whilst this is invaluable at a macrolevel, more accurate information concerning future parental choices needs to be accessed at an earlier stage andwe are working with the Registrars Service so that we are informed of all births as they are registered and we are55