Public Performance Reporting

Childcare Services

• We aim to ensure that good quality, affordable childcare is available for children aged 0-14 years.
• Our Early Years Strategy Group takes a strategic role in assessing the childcare need, assuring quality of services, meeting any gaps in provision and developing new services and providing advice and guidance when required.
• Information and support for families concerning childcare across Ayrshire is available from the “Care and Recreation Information Service”, through a very informative web-site (details below) and over the telephone (0845 351 3000).
• We work with local people, voluntary agencies, private providers and other services to develop and support flexible childcare services across South Ayrshire.  We support day nurseries, childminders, out of school care groups and playgroups.
• Our out of school hours care services assist parents and carers to access education, training or employment opportunities. Our Care Club Service currently covers the villages of Coylton, Mossblown, Dundonald, Symington, and Muirhead.   Ayr is covered by “Dropzone” based at the Citadel. These offer a total of 131 after school places per day, with Coylton also offering 27 breakfast club places. 123 full time holiday places are available at Coylton, Mossblown, Dundonald and Dropzone, with places provided to children with additional support needs having increased by 6.5% on the previous year.
• All Council childcare workers are trained to ensure the delivery of quality services in line with the “National Care Standards and the Regulation of Care and the Social Services Workforce”.
• Care Commission annual inspections took place in 5 services during 2008/9. Many areas of good practice were highlighted in the reports and areas identified for service improvement have been addressed.

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