Purpose

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).

Decision

(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.