Decision details

The County Council have a range of statutory duties related to early years and childcare services including providing enough childcare places to meet the needs of families in West Sussex. This includes expanding early years entitlement by increasing access to free childcare which will commence in a phased approach from April 2024 to meet Department for Education Guidance.

The Council along with partner stakeholders has developed ‘Right from the Start’ the Early Years and Childcare Strategy to support changes locally.  It seeks to improve collaborative working and ensure a strategic framework to maintain efficient and high-quality provision that creates the best outcomes for children. The Strategy sets out the vision to support early education entitlements for children and their families from pre-birth to aged five, and wraparound childcare provision from birth to 14 or up to 18 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

(1)The Cabinet Member for Children Young People, Learning and Skills has approved the adoption of the Early Years and Childcare Strategy 2024-27 as set out in Appendix A.

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