Vision for Foundation Years
The Government has set out its vision for the
services that should be on offer for parents, children and families
in the foundation years. The vision confirms the Government's
intention to replace the term early years with the term foundation
years.
Details are set out in two publications.
Families in the Foundation Years outlines support for
parents and is accompanied by a new website http://foundationyears.org.uk,
which aims to provide the best advice and information to
parents.
Supporting Families in the Foundation Years, is a
document for the sector which sets out in more detail the
policy proposals for reforming early years education and the
workforce. It has been developed jointly by the Department for
Education and the Department of Health, with advice from a range of
experienced professionals, including the National Childminding
Association.
The document outlines the Government's vision
for the foundation years and explains the priority placed on child
development, family health and how parents and families should be
placed at the heart of services.
It also sets out how the Government wants to
make the most of all opportunities for early intervention in the
foundation years and the role of different services, working
together, to give help where needed.
It explains how the Government has launched a
review of foundation years qualifications, to be led by Professor
Cathy Nutbrown, and how working with the sector they will explore
ways to improve the gender balance of the early education and
childcare workforce.
NCMA helped support the development
of this publication and will continue to work closely with the
Department for Education and Department of Health to ensure the
views of registered childminders are represented.
Have your say on the EYFS this summer…
Don’t forget that you can have your say on the future of the The
Early Years Foundation Stage by responding to the Government’s
consultation which is now open to take your views. The closing date
for responding is 30 September 2011. You can read more about how to
respond to the consultation.
NCMA is working with members to put forward a strong response
from the home-based childcare sector. We are keen to hear your
views and are happy to share details of events where the revised
framework will be discussed. Please contact Tim Farrow for more
details.