Early Years: 2009 directory of resources for local authorities

Tuesday 14/04/2009

A new guide designed to support local authorities in fulfilling their duty to improve outcomes for all young children from birth to the age of five is now available from the National Strategies.

Improving quality and raising standards in the early years: a directory of resources for local authorities is available online at: www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/nationalstrategies by searching using the reference number: 00050-2009BKT-EN.

The 2009 edition includes materials that have been published recently by the DCSF, the National Strategies and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) / The National Assessment Agency (NAA). Information is provided each resource, its intended audience, how it can help improve quality and raise standards and where it can be obtained. 

Sue Ellis, National Director Early Years for the National Strategies said: “It is designed to support local authorities in fulfilling their duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to work with their Primary Care Trust, Strategic Health Authority and Jobcentre Plus partners to improve the outcomes of all young children from birth to the age of five in their area and to reduce inequalities between them.”

“LA colleagues have told us that the previous edition of this directory has been very useful and we hope this new and extended version will be equally helpful in supporting their work  to improve the quality of all early years settings and provide really good training and development for practitioners and the best learning experiences for young children “
 

The directory aims to complement statutory guidance and is particularly focused on materials to help local authorities work with providers, practitioners and teachers in early years settings and primary schools, to improve the quality and to raise the levels of achievement in the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are eleven sections covering:  

• birth to the age of five: EYFS
• working with parents
• problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
• communication, language and literacy
• personal, social and emotional development
• inclusion
• ICT
• leadership and management
• assessment
• transition and continuity
• quality improvement.

Note to editors:
The National Strategies’ aim is to raise standards of achievement and rates of progression for children and young people in all phases and settings in England through personalised learning with a particular focus on the core subjects and early years.
            

Media Contact
Jane Parrack, Deputy Marketing and Communications Manager, The National Strategies 0118 918 2617 or jane.parrack@nationalstrategies.co.uk