Step into Learning is a national project that gives staff and managers skills and resources to identify parents or carers who have literacy, numeracy or language needs and direct them to local courses.
Since its launch in 2002, more than 4,000 childcare workers have been trained in the programme, and more than 20,000 parents and carers have been steered on to learning.
The next phase of the project, unveiled at a conference in London last week called 'Step Higher: developing the childcare workforce', involves the launch of programme materials on the Sure Start website. It marks the end of a four-year DfES-funded contract, managed since 2004 by Step into Learning Cambridge Training and Development.
The recently-published Children's Centre Planning Guidance states that the Government expects local authorities to incorporate Step into Learning in their strategic planning for the childcare strategy.
Details on how to set up the programme, and advice on accessing funding, trainers and delivery, will be made available at www.surestart.gov.uk/stepintolearning from 1 April.
