Early Learning and Childcare
Delivery Progress Report
The latest Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress Report was published this month, and provided an update on the status of ELC delivery in September 2023. Data returned by all 32 local authorities indicates that 94,655 eligible children were accessing funded ELC, an increase of 1% in the total number of children compared to September 2022.
The full report is available here.
Data pipeline – Eligible 2s
The team are running a datapipeline.scot learning event on 14th December. 26 local authorities have now signed both elements of the data sharing agreement that allows access to DWP data, enabling them to identify and offer funded ELC to more eligible two-year-olds.
This event is an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the project to date, and for those in attendance to hear from two local authorities about the impact datapipeline.scot has had for them.
If you have any questions about this, please contact Emma Gartshore or Ellen Ward.
Partnership Working
In October, we facilitated a workshop between education officials from one a local authority and 29 of their partner providers. The workshop was an opportunity to think about shared goals through collaborative working and focused on local aspirations and the vision for ELC; as well as achieving this vision and the principles of collaborative working. Summary reflections and recommendations were shared with both stakeholder groups after the event, and IS will continue to support the delivery of these recommendations.
If you would like to discuss similar support for your area, please get in touch.
ASN Case Studies
Over the past few months, work has been underway to support councils in ensuring children’s Additional Support Needs are not a barrier. As part of this, we have developed a number of case studies that highlight examples of good practice in this space across a different setting types to encourage and support others.
Crossbasket Nursery demonstrates adaptive approaches that enhance the learning environment and positive experiences for all children. Child led play, planning in the moment and outdoor learning are encouraged to develop individual children’s interests.
This case study highlights the inclusive approaches, vision and values embedded in Indigo; In particular, how equitable experiences are supported for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) to access high quality Early Learning and Childcare.
This case study aims to highlight examples of good practice embedded in Hillend Children’s Centre that ensure children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) can access provision of funded early learning and childcare.
If you would like any more information about any of these case studies, or wish to share experiences from your local authority, please contact Emma Gartshore.
Public Service Reform
The Improvement Service Recovery and Delivery team are working with Perth and Kinross council to support their project to re-design services at a locality level with communities to develop and enhance the networks that work together effectively to prevent, intervene, support, and respond to the needs of residents and communities, with particular attention on how services can better align to be more holistic in how they alleviate poverty.
This month, we facilitated a workshop with over 30 representatives from across public and third sector to identify the next phase of this work. This includes mapping the assets across communities that can support individuals and families before establishing robust referral pathways into and between those services. The steering group for this work in Highland Perthshire will meet again in December to consider recommendations, and IS will continue to support the delivery of this programme.
For more information, please contact Adam Hall