Why is Hillside included in these proposals?
Hillside is one of the five children’s centres identified in the EY review as operating below the average 88% occupancy.
Three centres - Oldhill, Hillside and Fernbank - are in very close proximity. Making significant changes to all three centres presented a risk to having sufficient childcare places in the locality. The options were based on working towards maintaining sufficient provision to support children’s outcomes, and to enable parents to work. Reducing the childcare provision will reduce surplus places and support the remaining children’s centres to optimise occupancy.
Hillside is well located in the Stamford Hill area, in a building owned by the Council that is suitable sized to develop into an Additional Resource Provision (ARP). 66% children are of Black and global majority heritage, 24% assessed as being in need, 12% above average income. Term-time SEND and universal places would continue to be maintained to meet early education, SEND and childcare needs.
What do the proposals mean for Hillside Children's Centre?
The consultation includes the proposal to change Hillside Children’s Centre into an early years Additional Resource Provision (ARP).
Hillside Children’s Centre is well placed to be developed into an early years Additional Resource Provision for children with special educational needs. We are proposing to change it into an ARP because it is a suitable size and location to meet need in the north of the borough. The proposal to develop an ARP is part of the SEND and Early Years Strategy. Respondents to the Children and Family Hubs consultation last summer, requested more support for children with SEND; restructuring Hillside aims to meet the need for more SEND support.
Transition into an ARP would begin in September 2024 at the earliest, but will not be fully completed until September 2025. ARP’s must be managed by a school in order to draw down funding from the Dedicated Schools Grant. The ARP would therefore be attached to a school with significant experience in managing effective early years provision.
A cohort of children will leave to go to school and will be unaffected by the changes. 24 term time places would be available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds with SEND, and 17 term time universal places would remain for 2, 3 and 4 year olds without SEND. Wraparound care would be available at the start and end of the day, alongside holiday provision.
The baby room may be retained in the short term for existing children to support transition from the children’s centre into an ARP, until the children turn 2 years, to prevent disruption to the youngest children. However, we propose not to retain baby places in the long term and this will mean the loss of baby places. Children who are unable, or do not wish to retain a place at Hillside, would be supported to find a place at an alternative setting.
What is an Additional Resource Provision (ARP)?
ARPs offer additional focused and specialist support for children with SEND within a mainstream setting environment. They are designed to meet the needs of children with a higher level of need, and will often have dedicated classrooms and other facilities, as well as qualified SEND professionals. Children are allocated based on need and by the Council’s Education, Health and Care Panel.
If the proposals are approved, when would the Hillside ARP open?
Whilst work will commence towards developing the ARP from September 2024, after the scoping currently taking place, the ARP will not be fully implemented until September 2025.
Do you have a model for this provision? How will it work in practice
24 term time places will be available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds with SEND, and 16 term time places will remain for 2, 3 and 4 year olds without SEND. Wrap-around care will be available at the start and end of the day, alongside holiday provision. The ARP will be predicated on best early years practice, underpinned by a rich curriculum, teaching and learning.
Who would manage the Hillside ARP?
ARP’s must be managed by a school in order to draw down funding from the Dedicated Schools Grant. The ARP will therefore be attached to a school with significant experience managing effective early years provision. One of our nursery schools has expressed an interest in developing and managing the ARP.
Why was Hillside selected to be an ARP?
Hillside is a Council building of a suitable size and location to meet need in the north of the borough, well placed to develop into early years Approved Resource Provision for children with special educational needs or a disability. Respondents to the Children and Family Hubs consultation last Summer requested more support for children with SEND.
Is there any other ARP for children with SEND in Hackney currently?
There are 11 ARPs attached to Hackney schools, and an early years ARP is being developed in the south of the borough at Comet Nursery School and Children’s Centre.