The Early Years and Childcare Service has developed an Early Education and Childcare Strategy which highlights the importance of the early years and sets out what we intend to do to ensure that all Rotherham children have access to a consistent, high quality early education and childcare offer.
Our vision
In Rotherham there will be no barriers to children achieving the best they can and realising their full potential.
To achieve this vision, we will ensure that all families
- Have access to affordable, high quality childcare and early education that meets their needs
- Are aware of the benefits of taking up an early education place and are excited about the opportunities for their children.
- Know where to find out more about the range of childcare and early education available.
- Take up their entitlement at the earliest opportunity.
All early years and childcare providers and schools:
- Are able to deliver sustainable, high quality provision.
- Are flexible to meet parents/carers needs.
- Continuously develop to maintain a high quality of delivery.
- Support all children including our most vulnerable children and ensure that they are safe, and their needs are met to enable them to develop and thrive.
- Are able to expand to meet demand.
- Are supported to meet the needs of children with special education needs or disabilities.
Our Strategy Aims
- Parents/carers can access affordable, sufficient, high quality and fully inclusive childcare places that support early learning and working parents/carers.
- Children’s early learning and development is expertly supported by a strong, skilled, and knowledgeable early years and childcare workforce.
- Children who may be at risk of poor outcomes are prioritised for high quality targeted support.
- All children have a positive journey through their early yeas and are well supported to transition to Foundation 2 (Reception).