Call for submissions for Under 2s Interest Group
The Department for Education has established a special interest group to consider the support for children under the age of 2 and their families, building upon the work and government commitments set out in the Families in the Foundation Years policy statement. The group is composed of sector representatives and early years specialists, including 4Children.
The special interest group will consider the implications of the current raft of changes for under-2s and their families, including the revised EYFS, the Nutbrown Review, and the expansion of the two year old offer, as well as any additional steps which could improve provision during pregnancy.
To help ensure that we deliver the best for families with young children, the group are asking the question below in order to understand your views on issues relating to the under-2s:
“What are the biggest challenges, apart from any staff shortages, that face you as a practitioner/professional working to support children and families from pre-birth through to 2 years of age?”
“What change(s) in policies or practice in relation to children from pre-birth to age 2, or their families, would make the greatest difference to long-term outcomes for children’s health and wellbeing? How would the difference take place?” (Please limit your answer to 2 suggestions.)
“Have you an example of local good practice that addresses any of these challenges that you would be willing to share with us?”
For example, any feedback you can provide on existing services or policies, suggestions for how services could be improved, or areas where you feel further support is needed would be very helpful. The group is also especially keen to receive examples of where things are working well or innovative ideas to help support those who work with 0-2 years olds and their families.
Submissions to the group can be sent to the 4Children e-mail address below:
The group will be meeting until April 2012. Therefore, in order to ensure that any submissions can best inform the group’s work, responses by 10th February 2012 would be especially helpful.
Consultation on Two Year Old Entitlement
The Department for Education is gathering responses to its current consultation dealing with the two-year-old entitlement and other Foundation Years. Further details and how you can respond can be found on the Department’s website.
There are several further events planned to be held around the country starting on 22 February which aim to inform and take views from the sector particularly concerning the two-year-olds. The Department hopes to see a good mix of local authority people and early years providers applying to attend these events. They will be in a position to discuss
• the results of the consultation,
• the learning from the eighteen ‘2YO Trial’ local authorities who have tested new delivery systems
• and finally, the new eligibility criteria for the 40% of two-year-olds due to become entitled to their free places in 2014.
The Department will be publicising these events shortly and you will be able to apply in the normal way through their Early Years Mailbox.
Ofsted Consultation
Ofsted have published a new consultation which seeks views on proposals for a revised framework for the regulation of registered early years provision. The closing date for the consultation is 6th April 2012. Details on how to respond can be found on Ofsted’s website. Following this consultation Ofsted will publish a revised framework for the regulation of registered early years provision, taking full account of responses, which will also be published.
Consultation on revised Early Learning Goals
Between July and September 2011, the Government consulted on a revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework, responding to the recommendations of an independent review by Dame Clare Tickell. This consultation provides a further opportunity to comment on the Government’s proposed changes to the early learning goals. The closing date for the consultation is Thursday 19 January. Details on how to respond can be found on the Department’s website.
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