Makeshift plan for childcare directory as delays continue

Many local authorities missed the 7 September deadline to get all the relevant data on local schools and childcare services ready for the new online Parent Know How Directory, to go live on 30 September.

With some authorities still struggling, inspectorate Ofsted has been instructed to publish any of its own new childcare data from the delayed authorities directly onto Directgov, the official website for public services, until everyone is ready.

Local authorities were informed of the plans in a letter sent out by the Department, for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) last week.

A DCSF spokeswoman told CYP Now: "To date 75 per cent of local authorities have uploaded data to the Parent Know How Directory. We are aware of some problems at a local level but this is a matter for local authorities and their own technical suppliers. We are however working hard with local authorities and their suppliers to resolve these outstanding issues."

The 30 September date will also mark the point when the old information system for parents, iCHIS, will be closed down. The DCSF is planning to promote the new directory to the general public in January next year.

The government has been criticised by the National Association of Family Information Services for asking too much of local authorities' Family Information Service teams, despite many operating on limited resources.