Children and families in Cumbria are benefiting from good early years and childcare services according to a national report published recently.
The report has been published by EMIE (Education Management Information Exchange) and is based on the work of local authorities that applied to become Beacon Councils. The report will now be available to other organisations, local authorities and individuals interested in early yours provision so the examples of good practice can be shared.
The main highlights of the report for Cumbria were:
1. Cumbria established one of the first Children's Information Services in the country
2. The work piloting policies for work life balance within the authority has also been praised
3. It was recognised that there are many challenges for Cumbria with many rural areas being sparsely populated. It highlights the work that Cumbria has done to address some of the issues.
4. Cumbria has been increasing and improving childcare and early years provision prior to the responsibility being delegated from the Sure Start Unit in 2004.
County councillor Philip Chappelhow, cabinet spokesman for children's services said:
"I am delighted that the work being carried out for children and families in Cumbria has been recognised nationally. Cumbria’s excellent service deserves national recognition because it really does lead by example with numerous examples of good practice. Indeed, several other local authorities are already seeking out Cumbria’s expertise, keen to adapt their own services to the model developed here.
We believe we have a national role to play in helping other regions develop similar integrated services. Some counties want to learn about how we consult with our service users, which is helping to identify the needs of the area and develop an integrated service which responds to the priorities of partners like the Police, Connexions, the health service and regeneration agencies. Cumbria County Council has demonstrated that it is possible to work effectively at local level and draw together all the key organisations to meet the needs of the community. Even though we haven't been selected for Beacon status this time around the report has picked up on several examples of good practice that we should all be proud."
Jane Williamson, Manager of Cumbria Sure Start said:
"We are delighted and proud that the good work Cumbria Sure Start and the County Council is doing in the Early Years and Childcare sector has been recognised. The fact that Cumbria was the first county in the country to establish a Children’s Information Service shows the commitment from everyone involved in this area of work. It is also extremely positive that some of the rural issues we face have been acknowledged along with the work we are doing to address these issues."