Early years providers invited to join a potential new project

The DfE are brainstorming a potential new project to help advance the outcomes for young children in disadvantaged areas. They are reaching out to early years providers who may be interested in joining the new project.

There are various aims of the project such as: making sure there is more high quality care provisions in deprived areas; making sure disadvantaged young children are given the best possible start in life to improve their development in the long run; and to show that local authorities and early years providers can work together to create a successful project. The DfE are recruiting a local authority to the project and are calling on early years providers to also join. It would mean getting involved in building up a new setting in a disadvantaged area to help young children’s outcomes. The DfE are looking for financial contributions to help start the project.

They hope providers will benefit by: displaying an approach that can improve challenging circumstances; completing any community objectives they may have; obtaining support from the local authority; having the flexibility to enter a new market; spending your Early Years Pupil Premium on a project that will help young children; and participating in a new national project. The DfE are looking for providers who: have an outstanding track record, are interested in helping disadvantaged areas outcomes; are able to offer the best trained staff; are willing and work sufficiently with a partner local authority; and be enthusiastic about giving disadvantaged areas and children the best care.

The DfE are approaching all local authorities to find out if there is any interest and so far it is looking promising. This new project will be a great opportunity to demonstrate the importance of having high quality provision to improve the outcomes of disadvantaged areas. They hope that providers who have been on the edge about whether to establish a provision are the ones who will take on this opportunity.

The DfE want to offer individual projects if they are able to get the funding. They wish to promote this project by performing great practice.