Childcare Market Management

The government wants every child to get the best possible start in life. Research shows children receiving good quality childcare and early education achieve better in later life.
In 2006 the Childcare Act was published; Government legislation devoted to services for children under 5 and childcare for all ages. The Act places a duty on each Local Authority to improve child outcomes and secure sufficient childcare for children in their area. It also extends the duty of a Local Authority to provide information to parents on choices for childcare and services for families.

Childcare Strategy Team

The role of the team is to offer support, advice and guidance relating to the provision of sufficient affordable, sustainable, quality childcare to meet the needs of those families living and working within the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees.

The team provides the following services: -

Support, advice and guidance on childcare and business issues.
Support around Ofsted statutory requirements for childcare.
Support around future sustainability of childcare.
Quality - to support in the development for better outcomes for children.
Support Private Providers and Schools in partnership work.
Support Private Providers and Schools with the development of the 15hours Free Early Education Entitlement.
Support providers in offering free care to the most disadvantaged 2 year olds.
To keep Providers and Schools up-dated with current Government agendas - Local and National.
To support Private Providers with all statutory Welfare requirements.
Sign posting to the Families Information Service and to Workforce Development.
Support with the Tendering process of childcare services.
Contract preparation between the Local Authority and/or schools with Private providers.
Consultations with the local community on childcare needs to feed into the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.

The Team

Jane Wright - Strategy Manager (Childcare) who leads the team.

Business Support and Consultation Team:-
Cheryl Azam - Childcare Business Support Manager who leads on Business Support, Funding and Consultation.
Claire Copeland - Business Support Officer
Vicky Hugill - Development Officer (Childcare Consultation)
Caroline Dooley - Development Officer (Childcare Consultation)
Laura Barlow - Administrator

Childcare Development Team:-
Janet Marriott - Principal Development Officer who leads on developing the quality of childcare and Ofsted regulations.
Kay Stewart - Childcare Development Officer
Paula Marwood - Childminder Network Co-ordinator
Lizzie Porter - Childcare Development Officer
Nicky Wilson - Childcare Development Officer
Tracy Kearton - Childcare Development Officer

If you would like to contact a member of the team please use the contact details to the left of this page.