York’s focus on children’s early years

A new citywide Early Years Strategic Plan is seeking to recognise the importance of the early years of a child’s life, improving the support available to children, parents, carers and childcare professionals across York.

The plan, created by the city’s Early Years Partnership Board, recognises the way children start their lives has a significant impact on the rest of their lives, with their early experiences having a profound impact on well-being, health, educational achievement and economic prosperity. Research shows that being at risk of poor outcomes during this period severely impacts on life chances and limits social mobility for children in York.

The plan sets key outcomes through which the council and health, education and childcare providers can support families, including through a focus on maternal mental health, parent and child bonding and a child’ communication, speech and language. 

The strategic plan has been developed in support of the continued focus on early years in York, including the city’s Early Talk for York speech and language programme; the work with NESTA to improve the take up of 2 year old checks; and the development of a partnership strategic plan to develop a clear strategic framework for delivering the partnership’s commitment to promoting the best start in life for children in York.

Cllr Andrew Waller, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “At a time when the importance of the early years of a child’s life is being brought into focus nationally, I’m pleased that we are already leading work to ensure that all children in York have a better start in life.

“Through projects like Look Say Sing Play and our Early Talk for York speech and language programme, we are able to give professionals and families the tools they need to support children in those formative years of life. The strategic plan and associated outcomes will help us to work even more closely with partners to help shape the long term futures of children in the city.”

The strategic plan focuses on three action areas including promoting a city-wide understanding of early childhood development; better data sharing across early years partners to support integrated working and joint commissioning; and a clear early years outcomes framework which informs strategic decisions about the use of resources.

The strategic plan has been developed in consultation with the members of the Early Years Partnership, which includes representatives from education, health and care and the community and voluntary sector.

It was considered for adoption by the council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Andrew Waller, at a Decision Session last week (7 February).