Early learning and childcare trials discussion paper: analysis of responses
Analysis of responses to a discussion on establishing delivery model trials to support expanding the early learning and childcare provision.
6. Existing Examples Of Best Practice Within ELC Provision
Question 5: Are there existing examples of best practice within ELC provision that you can share with us?
6.1 Respondents were invited to identify examples of current outstanding service from providers and describe what features of these make them exceptional, for example, specialised services or ways in which they respond to a particular challenge.
6.2 From the responses 49 distinct examples were identified and are outlined in Annex 2. The largest body of examples related to those where flexibility had been offered to families to enable parents to be supported to take up employment and other opportunities. The focus and number of examples provided are summarised in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1: Summary of examples of best practice (further information in Annex 2)
| Topic | No. of examples | Key themes |
|---|---|---|
| Providing flexibility | 14 | Supporting parents Supporting families Improving take-up of places |
| Workforce | 7 | Increasing numbers Upskilling and training Commensurate pay and conditions |
| Partnership working with parents | 7 | Improving parenting skills Supporting families holistically |
| Child-centred approaches | 6 | Child development Quality of provision Smooth transitions Rights-centred approaches |
| Outdoor space | 4 | Use of outdoor space in ELC provision |
| Provision for vulnerable children | 3 | Provision for vulnerable children |
| Increasing parental choice | 2 | Cross-border funding Removing caps on partner-provider places |
| Creative pedagogies | 2 | Providing creative experiences |
| Other | 4 | Provision for Asylum seekers and refugees Partnership working between organisations Use of expressive arts Data bank - sharing information |
Implications for proposed trials
6.3 Within the 49 examples of best practice were very few relating to use of outdoor space; provision for vulnerable children; providing creative experiences; provision for asylum seekers and refugees; partnership working; use of expressive arts; and existing mechanisms for sharing information on best practice. Trials could, therefore, cover aspects of these to fill gaps and generate information on best practice in these fields. The relatively high number of 'providing flexibility' examples may have been a result of the Discussion Paper's specific focus on this area.
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