Nursery World - Early years beacon awards

Four local authorities have been designated beacons of best practice for their groundbreaking work within the early years and childcare sector. The councils - Leeds, Somerset, and the London boroughs of Camden and Newham - have been awarded Beacon Council status by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster and the Improvement and Development Agency.

The councils - Leeds, Somerset, and the London boroughs of Camden and Newham - have been awarded Beacon Council status by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster and the Improvement and Development Agency.

Thirty-eight local authorities applied under the category Early Years and Childcare: the Sure Start Agenda, and the winners were assessed on their 'active policies for joining up services for children and their plans to mainstream the Sure Start agenda across their authority'.

The advisory panel commended Leeds City Council for its clear vision and commitment to the Sure Start agenda. The council has six integrated children's centres that combine early education, childcare, family support, including health and social care, and training.

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