In 2001, I was asked by the Government to develop a framework of effective practice to support staff working with children aged under three. This was to be done in conjunction with my early years and childhood studies team at Manchester Metropolitan University. The outcome of this work, which was funded by the new Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare unit at the Department for Education and Skills, led by Baroness Catherine Ashton, was launched last month as a pack called Birth to Three Matters. This pack should be distributed to about 300,000 settings, including day nurseries, registered childminders and Sure Start programmes before Christmas. All Ofsted inspectors at the Early Years Directorate and Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships should also receive it.
The task of creating the pack was a challenging one because people care passionately about the early years, so striking the right balance was absolutely paramount. The focus groups consulted nationally were very firm in communicating that this was not to be 'yet another' ring binder, nor was it to be a curriculum for under- threes.
Their views very much reflected the philosophy of the project team who, when they first met, back in autumn 2001, were adamant that the framework should focus firmly on children, reflecting the holistic and uneven nature of their development. Like the multitude of under-threes workers and other people who responded to the consultation, they also visualised something innovative that would be helpful, 'user-friendly' and respectful of children and all those who work with them.
Flights of fancy led them to ambitious explorations of how the flaps, pulleys and shutters so popular in children's books and toys could be introduced to create an exciting document that would inspire both the playful and the serious to open it. However, at the same time, research with parents and practitioners indicated the need for something that was really practical, and that could be used on a daily basis in all settings for under-threes. Inspiration came from one particular respondent who wanted the product to be capable of, among other things, being dribbled on or chewed by a young child. What then emerged was the framework pack, containing a variety of materials, which are easy to use, and can be dribbled on, chewed and wiped clean!
Inside the pack
When childcare workers open the brightly coloured box they may wonder where to begin and how best to start using the pack.The following may be a useful guide for them. To begin with, it is helpful to check the pack to find out what's in it and to see how the pieces relate to one another. In all, there are five separate elements - an introductory booklet, an A3 poster, 16 laminated cards, a video and a CD-Rom.
* The introductory booklet, 'An Introduction to the Framework', gives a background to the pack and contains useful information about how the materials have been presented and can be used.
* The A3 poster provides an overview of the framework, divided into Aspects and Components: A Strong Child
Me, Myself and I
Being Acknowledged and Affirmed
Developing Self- Assurance
A Sense of Belonging
A Skilful Communicator
Being Together
Finding a Voice
Listening and Responding
Making Meaning
A Competent Learner
Making Connections
Being Imaginative
Being Creative
Representing
A Healthy Child
Emotional Well-being
Growing and Developing
Keeping Safe
Healthy Choices
The poster can be used in displays so that it becomes a focal point in discussions with practitioners and parents interested in learning more about the framework.
* The 16 laminated cards, which complement the poster, are colour-coded: purple for A Strong Child, pink for A Skilful Communicator, green for A Competent Learner and blue for A Healthy Child. Each card focuses on one of the Components, such as Growing and Developing, taken from the Aspect of A Healthy Child, or Listening and Responding from A Skilful Communicator.
* The 25-minute video introduces the framework and shows the different ways practitioners work with young children. It also illustrates how the very smallest interaction between a child and, for example, a childminder, can help a child to become emotionally strong, physically and mentally healthy, skilful at communicating and competent at learning.
* The CD-Rom provides an extensive store of information about the framework and young children under three.
Using the framework
Different people will use the framework pack in their own way. Some may simply pull out the cards to look at, while others will go on to arrange for several practitioners to get together to examine the pack in depth and plan how to use it in their daily provision. It must be stressed that there is no one way to use it. Practitioners should feel able to use the pack flexibly to suit their own circumstances and, most importantly, to suit the babies and children in their care.
One way to begin to get to know the framework is by becoming familiar with the aspects as they are shown on the poster and relating them to the children in the setting, recognising how children can be both communicators and learners at the same time, or how they can be emotionally strong while physically vulnerable.
It would be helpful at the beginning to become really familiar with individual cards - for example, Making Connections, part of 'A Competent Learner' (see box for extract). The broad band of colour on the left hand side of the card gives an indication of what the Component focuses on. This card is a useful starting point to help practitioners to think about how, through using all their senses, children are learners from birth.
Get to know the cards
The card has four section boxes on it: Development Matters alerts practitioners to the ways children may be expected to develop in relation to each Component, and small symbols relating broadly to developmental shifts at 0-8, 8-18, 18-24 and 24-36 months are used to guide the reader to the relevant section.
Look, Listen, Note suggests things to observe about children's behaviour and responses.
Effective Practice and Play and Practical Support provide examples of the ways in which adults can plan and organise the environment and resources to support a particular Component.
The reverse side of each card includes information about ways of Meeting Diverse Needs and of providing Planning and Resourcing, together with addressing Challenges and Dilemmas faced by some practitioners in their work. Finally, there is a Case Study, or a series of photo- graphs on each card, providing supporting information in the develop- ment of each Component.
The video and CD-Rom
Once practitioners have become familiar with the poster, the various cards and their layout, the video will help them to see how the Aspects and Components can be supported as children and practitioners focus on their daily activities and experiences in their particular setting.
Opening the CD-Rom will provide opportunities to read further about any areas in the cards or the video; access to still photographs, further video clips, worksheets, websites and addresses of relevant groups and organisations. It also contains blank cards for each Component, or the full text from each card (either in the card format or Word format), which may be printed off for individual use. Most importantly, it contains a superb literature review containing the most up- to-date information about research with the under -threes.
The future
The launch of this pack shows very clearly the Government's commitment to our youngest children and confirms that while caring for children can be fun, it is rarely easy - as practitioners and parents already know only too well! It is therefore important to see the publication of this pack as the first step towards recognising the importance of the first three years in children's lives. It is also the start of a major shift towards valuing all those involved in working with young children.
This article was written with early years consultant Ann Langston, co-director of Birth to Three Matters
Further information
* There will be nine regional conferences to disseminate the new under-threes framework. For more information, contact your local early years development and childcare partnership.
* To get a copy of the framework, telephone DfES publications on 0845 6022260.
