Experiences in early childhood are critical to future development and achievement. The negative effects of poverty, poor health, poor attainment, unemployment and low expectations are sadly still too common in Scotland. Together, we need to get it right in the early years to enable vulnerable children and their families to have the more positive early experience which will improve their life chances.
In the HMIE report Improving Scottish Education 2005 to 2008 we said:
"Individuals, establishments and services cannot on their own deliver what is required in today’s demanding context."
It went on to include the priorities below for partnership working:
Priority One Strengthening partnerships across sectors and services in ways which create a unified learning and support system that eases progression for learners. |
Priority Two Ensuring that education plays its full part in taking forward the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach, actively seeking and embedding the behaviours which will sustain effective partnership working. |
Priority Three Enabling parents to play a stronger role as partners in their child’s learning and development. |
This document continues the theme of partnership working as fundamental in the delivery of the Early Years Framework. It covers two key purposes. First, it sets out issues which need to be taken forward together to turn the Framework’s ambitions into a reality. Second, it highlights a range of case studies, showing how the principles of the Framework are being delivered across services and communities in Scotland. These offer examples of how the lives of children and families have been transformed as a result of dedicated staff working together for improvements. The implementation of the Framework is at the very early stages and, therefore, impact on service delivery is still patchy. It is encouraging to note, nevertheless, that much good work is being done already within existing budgets and services.
All those working with young children will want to support the vision and aspirations for children and families outlined in the Early Years Framework, using the principles and purposes of GIRFEC to deliver the improvements needed. This document will be of particular interest to councils, services and voluntary organisations when they are looking at ways of taking forward the Early Years Framework.
HMIE will continue to evaluate provision, and identify, collate and disseminate good practice in the implementation of the Early Years Framework. Further work will focus on specific areas highlighted in children’s services, workforce training and qualifications, and collaborative working to ensure consistently high quality in early education and community learning and development.
Graham Donaldson
Her Majesty’s Senior
Chief Inspector
HM Inspectorate of Education