Ten Year Childcare strategy, Children's Centres and Funded Early Education

You are probably aware through media coverage of some of the recent initiatives designed to increase the flexibility and availability of childcare, develop Children's Centres and to increase the early education entitlement. These, together with the planned changes to the delivery of Children's Services in Norfolk will have many and far-reaching implications for our work with children.

The 10 year Childcare Strategy, published in December 2004 summarised these intentions and may be accessed through the following Website:

http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/_files/0887BB04817CE4DCD72C70F966B58C56.pdf

The DfES has recently launched a consultation on their intentions regarding changes to the funded early education entitlement for children aged three to five. The proposals included in this consultation are likely to have implications for many early education providers in both the maintained and non-maintained sectors, including schools with nursery classes. This consultation closes on 30 September and may be accessed using the following link:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1329

We anticipate that following this consultation, we will receive further guidance, in November 2005, from the DfES regarding early education provision from April 2006.

We will arrange local meetings to discuss plans to develop more children's centres, extend childcare provision and make the early education entitlement more flexible for parents during the autumn term. We very much hope that you will be part of these discussions and help us shape the future of early education and childcare provision in Norfolk.

In addition to the above consultation, the DfES is currently consulting regarding proposed changes to the childcare workforce. This consultation runs until 22 July 2005 and may be accessed using the following weblink:

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1310

We look forward to meeting with you during the autumn term and wish you a pleasant summer.