THE NATIONAL CHILDCARE STRATEGY

What does it mean for parents and children in BROADSTONE?
The National Childcare Strategy was launched in May 1998 as part of the government's support for families and children. Its aim is to provide good quality, affordable childcare for children from 0-14 years in every neighbourhood. To deliver this strategy, all local authorities were required to set up Early Years Development & Childcare Partnerships to bring together representatives from statutory agencies (Health, Education and Social Services) and the private and voluntary sectors.

The Borough of Poole's Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership has defined its mission statement to ensure that all policy, planning and developments will:

• Enhance the care, play and educational experience of young children and the care and play experience of children up to the age of 14 years, including those with special educational needs and for those with disabilities up to the age of 16 years.
  
• Bring together, in a spirit of co-operation and genuine partnership, the maintained, private and voluntary sectors.
• Be directed by the diverse needs and aspirations of local children and their parents.
• Provide for family support.
• Be responsive to the needs of local employers and the requirements of the local labour market.
• Seek agreement with all partners as to how identified needs can best be met.
• Recognise the strengths of the private and voluntary sectors and that these sectors support and are supported by parents.
• Acknowledge the reality of constraints of the local authority.
• Pay due regard to issues of value for money, taking both cost and quality

In addition, we all share a common commitment to ensure that:

• All early years and childcare provision is of the highest quality.
• All services promote these standards by their work and the support they provide fot others.

Every child can benefit from equal access and opportunities.
More details about the Partnership and its work can be found on the Borough of Poole's website, under www.boroughofpoole.com (Early Years).

In October 1999, the Children's Information Service was launched. It can provide parents with information about childcare, the Nursery Education Grant for three and four year olds and recruitment and training opportunities for the childcare workforce The Children's Information Service can be contacted on 01202 261999. A national childcare website is also available at www.childcarelink.gov.uk
An Early Years Team has been set up by the Borough of Poole and is currently located at Westover House, West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1JF. Members of the team can offei a wide range of advice and support. Contact can be made by telephoning 01202 261900. Contact can also be made with support workers from the Pre-School Learning Alliance and the Dorset & Poole Childminding Association by using this number.
From January 2002, the Children's Information Service and Early Years Team will be relocating to offices above the Central Library in the Dolphin Centre where callers will always be welcome.

The government introduced a Foundation Stage Curriculum for 3-5 year olds in September 2000. This is completed at the end of the Reception Year in school when many children will achieve the Early Learning Goals. Copies of the Foundation Curriculum may be obtained from QCA Publications (01787 884444). Advice about early education in pre-schools can be obtained from the Early Years Advisory Teacher on 0 1202 633769 for schools and by contacting the Senior Advisor for Early Years on 0 1202 633773. Local provision in Broadstone includes:

So,

Are you looking for a day nursery place for your child?

Does your child qualify for the Nursery Education Grant?

Do you think that your pre-school child may have special needs?

Would you be interested in working in childcare?

Would you like to know more about training opportunities?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, or you would like any further information or advice, please do contact us; we are here to help.

CONTACT THE EARLY YEARS TEAM ON 01202261900. Sue Wilicocks

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