EARLY YEARS PROVISION AND PHILOSOPHY

Since the publication of the guidance "Early Years Curriculum" (Wirral 1993). There have been many developments in provision for young children and their families, both locally and nationally.

Each Local Authority has an Early Years and Childcare Development (EYDCP) and the partnerships role is to develop a plan to secure sufficient high quality early education for 3 and 4 year olds and childcare for children from 0-14 for families that require it.

The LEA in its Education Development Plan sets out its actions in support of early education and childcare. The DfES' Early Excellence programme through the provision at Ganneys Meadow Early Years Centre and Leasowe Early Years and Adult Learning Centre supports the development of integrated provision for young children, their families and the local community and are training centres for all under 5s training. The centres are models of good early years provision and should be visited as part of any induction to Wirral.

The Wirral Sure Start initiative now has three programmes, Birkenhead North and Central, and the Ferries. Wallasey area will be the next development. These programmes engage local communities and statutory bodies in a designated area to ensure support for families with children under four.

In September 2000, the Foundation Stage was introduced for children aged three to the end of reception. That stage now has a distinct national identity and relevant published curriculum. Eligible children have entitlement to that curriculum and all practitioners in maintained and non-maintained settings that are members of the EYDCP have entitlement to support and training.

Training and support is provided by the LEA through the Early Years Team based at the Wirral Education Centre, Bromborough and Early Years Specialist Teachers based in some of our Early Years settings, Early Excellent Centres and Special Educational Support Services. Future developments for the non-maintained settings include the recruitment of Area Special Needs Co-ordinators and Specialist input from a Senior Educational Psychologist.

In Wirral we appreciate that young children are born learners. Before they enter school they have learned in the company of many adults and children. The importance of this period of early learning is gaining wider recognition.

"The early years are critical in children's development. Children develop rapidly during this time - physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially".

(DfEE, QCA 2000).

Children's early learning develops through opportunities for interaction with quality environments and people around them. Their motivation and disposition, so crucial for continued learning, can be encouraged or discouraged by our responses to their natural curiosity.

High quality provision depends on practitioners having a secure understanding of the needs and characteristics of young children in their care. Many more children are experiencing learning in different settings outside the home environment as opportunities for training and employment opportunities for parents increase. The role of the Early Years Team is to support practitioners in their delivery of high quality provision.

In Wirral we are proud of the wide range of quality early education providers. At present we have 98 maintained settings and 119 non-maintained providers. Numbers will increase following the development of Neighbourhood Nurseries. As with the Government, Wirral has Early Years as high priority and we will continue to work together to provide the best education for our younger children.