Our Best Start Local Plan 2026-29
Priority 2 - Quality, accessible childcare
Develop and promote a strong, universal and community-based support offer to improve child development outcomes
Why is this important?
increased take-up of childcare provision helps to promote positive child development outcomes and opportunities to identify where extra support may be required
children are ready for school, transitions and future learning
Our progress in the last 12 to 24 months:
we have increased capacity in the Family Information Service (FIS) to promote childcare options
delivered regular promotion campaigns, including use of social media platforms
introduced new PVI provision for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) from January 2026, supported by the Portage Service
We will drive progress towards improved Best Start and GLD outcomes by:
developing a 'full system' communications strategy to promote the take-up of eligible childcare options
utilising the increased Family Hub and VCS outreach capacity to promote childcare options in community locations
funding the Service Level Agreement for all PVI settings to receive teaching, training and peer support from the Early Years Service in 2026/27 to improve teaching quality
run bespoke community events for families not using their childcare entitlements at Family Hub venues to re-introduce the offer and address barriers to engagement
consider the opportunities presented by the North-East Mayor's Childcare Grant and Childcare Strategy
We will measure this by:
new stretching (DfE) local target of 88.1% for 2-year entitlement
early years service data on placement take-up
Ofsted Inspection reports
Childcare Sufficiency Report
qualitative family feedback