Yorkshire district joins pilot of families’ support scheme

It is one of nine areas across England which will work under this trial scheme as part of a major review of the country’s early years education system. Target areas will include narrowing the attainment gap so more children are starting school at the expected level of ability, ensuring more mothers are still breastfeeding six to eight weeks after birth and delivering parenting programmes to vulnerable families.

The Department for Education announced yesterday that pilots in 21 more local authorities would be launched in the autumn with a view to rolling out the system nationally by 2013.

The Government is also launching a review to consider whether the qualifications needed to work in early years education need to be strengthened.

It is also creating 10 early years teaching centres across the country which will be given responsibility to drive up standards across the sector.

Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said: “The experiences of children in their earliest years, good or bad, can shape their future life chances for years to come.

“That’s why we want to support families to bring up their children and raise the status of the foundation years.

“Alongside parents, well-qualified and motivated professionals working in the early years can make a real difference to children’s early development.

“I am announcing a review of early years qualifications, led by Professor Cathy Nutbrown, to make sure the people working with our youngest children have the skills they need.

“I also want to encourage more talented people to work in the foundation years and make sure the qualifications they take are rigorous and offer opportunities to progress, as there are in school teaching.”