Extended Free Entitlement Offer - 3 & 4 Year Olds _ Consultation with Head Teachers, PVI Providers
From September 2010, every local authority must offer 15 hours of free early education to all 3 and 4 year olds, over a minimum of 38 weeks. This offer must be made available flexibly, to meet parental demand over a minimum of three days. As a step towards this, from September 2009, all local authorities will be required to make the offer available to 25 per cent of the most disadvantaged 3 and 4 year olds.
Clear evidence shows that involvement in high quality early years education can lead to better educational and social outcomes for all children, which last through primary school. There are particular benefits for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Early Years provision can also act as an enabler for parents, allowing them time to return to work, enter training or achieve a better balance in their work and family life.
Planning for and implementation of the extended offer is being undertaken through a partnership of local authority, providers and other stakeholders, including parents – to ensure the offer meets parents’ demand and that delivery is practical and sustainable. As the first step in this process we are asking providers to consider how they can achieve the increase in hours, and what barriers might have to be overcome to deliver the offer flexibly and the following consultation documents have been sent to Headteachers and PVI providers.
We are requesting that providers complete and return the questionnaire by 21st November 2008.
Send to:
Irene Hudson,
Early Years, Childcare & Play,
The Wool Exchange,
Hustlergate,
Bradford BD1 1RE.
Telephone: 01274 43 1813
Email: irene.hudson.bradford.gov.uk
