Partnership is now a common word for all those involved in the planning and delivery of services for children and families. From their inception in 1998, Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships were expected to build working relationships with those from the private, voluntary and independent sectors, and with maintained provision.
New developments should take place across a range of settings in response to local requirements. Worcestershire has remained steadfast in the belief that we need to work effectively with all sectors to provide choice for parents.
Those of us who have had some success in engaging with partners welcomed this emphasis in the Every Child Matters; Change for Children agenda. The Children Act 2004 places great emphasis on partnership working, focusing on the opportunity to work together to achieve common goals.
In response
Worcestershire has risen to the challenge and can demonstrate many advantages from developing early years and childcare provision through partnership working.
The local authority is not well funded and the allocation of the budget remains a difficult task in agreeing priorities. Pre-school provision through LEA nursery units is supported in the more disadvantaged urban areas, but the more affluent and small rural communities are dependent on private and voluntary childcare settings. Likewise, out-of-school clubs are almost exclusively delivered through the non-maintained sector.
As a result, these private and voluntary settings have had the opportunity to prove their competence and quality of provision, and the achievement in exceeding childcare targets in Worcestershire would not have been possible without private, voluntary and independent provision.
Our current figures of non-maintained provision clearly show this:
* Out-of-school: 88 per cent
* Pre-school: 72 per cent
* Holiday schemes: 68 per cent.
In addition, there are more than 600 active childminders in the county.
Valuing all sectors
We have always ensured that, wherever possible, providers are given equal support regardless of the type of setting. Training courses are not sector specific, giving access to all and sending a clear message that each has a part to play and good practice to share.
Information is distributed to all settings through our monthly newsletter and all are invited to join partnership groups and forums in their local district.
Personnel from the early years and childcare service offer support where needed. Development officers meet with pre-school groups, out-of-school clubs, headteachers and governors. Area SENCOs support all professionals and mentor teachers give time to large urban settings and small rural groups.
Any consultation is carried out through open invitation to all groups, with meetings held across the county to support access. We have always been mindful of the need to meet at times when those working long days are able to attend, especially childminders.
Partnership with private providers has taken time to reach a comfortable position from both sides. It has been essential for providers to trust our motives and to believe that our support for all sectors is genuine.
Provision has been developed to reach over and above required standards, with support offered when and where needed to ensure the highest quality.
Over the years officers have used their skills and experience to demonstrate their commitment to partnership working, resulting in mutual respect and understanding.
Breaking down barriers
Any barriers to working across sectors have been erased through time.
Opportunities to share issues and a belief that we are working towards a shared vision have all supported the success in Worcestershire. Currently, many of our providers are concerned that the Government focus on childcare on school sites will threaten their sustainability. While we cannot promise that our schools will not open new groups, we are sending a consistent message to all concerned that we will encourage use of existing provision before supporting additional childcare.
We hope that this will reassure existing providers of our support and our continuing commitment to working with the non-maintained sector.
We have worked alongside early years providers to improve access to nursery education funding. Procedures have been consulted upon and improved to ensure that funding is allocated at the earliest possible time. Meetings are held regularly to review systems and to familiarise providers with officers who are available to support them.
The nursery funding officer has been active in attending consultations, visiting settings and spending time listening and responding to enquiries.
Providers now feel comfortable in making contact and are confident that the information given will be clear and helpful.
The Worcestershire Early Years and Childcare Service continues to develop.
The recent legislative proposals for childcare clearly state the need for flexibility to support choice and the sufficiency to meet demand. We know that this can be achieved only through continued partnership working and we welcome further opportunities to provide quality provision for families.
Further information
* www.everychild matters.gov.uk
* www.dfes.gov.uk/ publications/childrenactreport
About the author
Alison Hitchins is head of the Early Years and Childcare Service, Worcestershire
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
For partnership working to be effective, local authorities need to:
* be proactive in making contact with all settings and building relationships and networks. Don't wait until they are in trouble!
* recognise the experience of private providers, particularly their business acumen and their ability to respond flexibly according to demand
* promote the different values of individual sectors to parents and professionals, so ensuring all are respected for the type of provision they offer
* develop trusting relationships to allow difficulties to be debated openly
* discuss visions and goals to establish shared outcomes
* provide regular forums for all sectors to attend to avoid silo working and to promote the advantages of partnership
* recognise that many children and families attend settings across sectors.
They need to be reassured that education and care is seamless and of high quality, with careful attention given to continuity of services
* treat all settings as equal and support the creation of a 'level playing field' if possible
* engage with private and voluntary settings, valuing and responding to their contribution
* plan seminars around themes appropriate to a range of providers and hold them at accessible times and venues
* develop local partnership groups to provide all settings with opportunities to share good practice and to recognise the part each have to contribute
* encourage and support market research to ensure sustainability of new provision
* share information. News of Government directives, initiatives and local implementation planning will allow all sectors to feel informed, involved and able to contribute.
CASE STUDIES
Consortium partnership
In Redditch, we have an exciting partnership with a First School, a Sure Start Local Programme and a neighbourhood nursery managed by a consortium of four private providers.
Janet Johnson (Redditch Play Council) Judith Partridge (Rhymes Nursery), Karyn Maddison-Leach (Sneakers Childcare) and Nicola Whittington (Kids Community Nursery) had experience of delivering childcare in this disadvantaged area of the county and were keen to work together, joining with other agencies to develop services.
The Early Years and Childcare Service was able to support the consortium in securing maximum start-up funding, assisting with marketing and ensuring all partners were consulted and involved at every stage.
The project is awaiting designation as a Children's Centre and with a new multi-purpose building planned on the school site, childcare numbers are beginning to rise.
The headteacher meets regularly with Sure Start members and the consortium.
The Children's Centre project manager uses her skills to encourage open discussion and to facilitate the development of services from all partners to meet local need.
Children's Centre
Worcestershire has one of the first Children's Centres in the country to be developed in partnership with a private provider. Madresfield Early Years Centre is situated on the edge of Malvern, an affluent area but with a small pocket of considerable disadvantage.
Alice Bennett and her capable staff team have been committed to finding ways for a range of families to access the services delivered at this rural setting. Transport has been arranged to support easier access for families who find it difficult to reach the provision.
Childcare is available for children aged two to 14 years with a range of after-school and holiday clubs. To provide childcare for nought- to two-year-olds, there is an effective arrangement with local childminders.
Funding was allocated to enable a member of staff to develop partnerships with other agencies. The setting is supported through a Children's Centre Support Teacher and has access to a CC development group.
