Decision - Early Years Strategic Action Plan

Update and proposal for Early Years Strategic Action Plan

RESOLVED: That the Committee – i. Agreed the Early Years Strategic Action Plan for the transition period in implementing the Brighton and Hove Start for Life Strategy in March 2024. ii. Agreed the four priority areas for the Early Years Strategic Action Plan as further detailed in section 3 of this report: 1) To ensure sufficient and appropriate support for early years children identified with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 2) To ensure clear and consistent assessments and pathways for early years children. 3) To ensure there are sufficient early years childcare places in the city so that all children can take up their early years free entitlement and parents can work. 4) To ensure early years provision is good quality and supports outcomes for disadvantaged children with the aim of closing the gap between them and their peers. iii. Requested an update on the Start for Life Strategy to come to a future meeting of the Children, Young People and Skills Committee.

The plan sets out actions to support early years children during the Family Hubs Transformation process until the Start for Life Strategy launches in March 2024. It focuses on children with SEND, consistent assessment pathways, sufficient childcare places, and improving the quality of early years provision.