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Local authorities say their quality role is critical for two-year-old offer

Recognition that the Government needs to keep its lines of communication open with local authorities around their changing role as the two-year-olds offer gathers pace, is a point that has been 'taken on board' by education and childcare minister Elizabeth Truss.

Speaking at Achieving Two Year-olds’ (A2YO) first national network meeting in London, on the day the Government announced its u-turn on ratios, Ms Truss re-iterated her vision for childcare, and emphasised to local authority delegates the vital role they have to play in making the free entitlement for twos a success.

Local authorities are currently waiting for the Government’s response to the ‘Changes to the role of local authorities in early education and childcare’ consultation, which proposes that councils will no longer assess the quality of settings.

In a reflective speech Ms Truss highlighted that LAs need to prioritise on attracting new, quality providers to areas where they are lacking, and work effectively with children’s centres to support the programme. She said they are also in a strong position to assist with the development of childminder agencies.

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