The Structure of the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership
The Full Partnership
There are currently over 35 members organizations on the Partnership, drawing people from a wide range of groups and organizations with an interest in early years and childcare. The full Partnership meets bi-monthly. We have an independent Chair Carol Dukes. Partnership Working Groups
In between Partnership meetings, working groups meet. Working groups are drawn from the members, but some also have additional co-opted members, if certain specialisms or knowledge is required. Much of the work of the Partnership is delegated to the various working groups to progress. At the moment we have the following working groups: • Supply and Demand- identifies where and what kind of new provision is required, with special regard to areas of deprivation. It also seeks to ensure that existing provision remains viable, e.g. by promoting childcare tax credit. • Consultation & Information - has the remit to ensure that appropriate consultation is carried out with children, parents, providers, employers and other interested parties. It also reviews and updates information about early education and childcare for parents, and oversees the work of the Children's Information Service. • Quality, Training and Recruitment - advises on how to increase the number of settings becoming quality assured, how to ensure there are sufficient and appropriate training resources available, and how to recruit new practitioners into the sector. • Special Needs -ensures that the needs of children aged 0 - 16 with special needs and disabilities are met by: appropriate training; providing support for SENCO's; facilitating the sharing of information between relevant agencies and organisations; and promoting fully inclusive childcare settings which include the staff as well as the children. • Equal Opportunities - To ensure that equality of opportunity remains a focus throughout all the work of the Partnership, to provide advice and guidance on equal opportunity issues where required, and to undertake specific projects, such as the Equal Opportunities Conference. • Funding - allocates the money that comes into the Partnership from various sources to the appropriate working groups, monitors spending, and signs-off the returns to the DfES. This group also operates a Funding Grants Panel, which considers applications for grants for anything from daycare expansion to buying musical instruments. Working groups meet to consider and make recommendations about specific subjects to the full Partnership, and are able to take decisions on behalf of the Partnership. All working groups are subject to review and change as our priorities change. New members on working groups are always welcome, so if a particular group(s) interests you please let Pat Hoyes know (tel 8083 2045). Click here to see the terms of reference for the working groups.
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