Early Years Education and Childcare
What is the Early Years sector?
Access to quality Early Years Education and Childcare is a key foundation to building an inclusive and more equal economy, supporting access to work; tackling disadvantage; and delivering positive health, social and educational outcomes – both now and well into the future.
Most importantly of all it gives Children the best start in life, a start underpinned by a dedicated and skilled workforce of Early Years practitioners, delivering across all nursery settings, school based services and Childminding provision who work with each individual child to help them learn, develop and reach their potential during the most influential and important stage of their lives.
We are working with our 6 local authorities and other partners to support our Early Years workforce: developing further opportunities to enter and progress in the sector, and promoting Early Years as a valued, skilled and rewarding career of choice.
Working together with our local authorities, providers, and government we are also taking steps to expand awareness of, access to, and availability of Early Years Education and Childcare, supporting and enabling Parents and lead Carers into jobs and careers across all areas of employment and the economy in Liverpool City Region.
Our Work
- Promoting opportunities to learn more about the sector, and meet those who work in, support, and benefit from it.
- Providing information about getting a job in Early Years and how to enter or return to working in Early Years Education.
- Delivering a dedicated package of Apprenticeship Levy transfer support to channel further funding into the sector and increase opportunities to join and progress in Early Years.
- Using our Adult Education budget and Skills Bootcamp activity to expand dedicated Early Years training and progression opportunities.
- Working with Jobcentres across Liverpool City Region to raise awareness of the support that is available to parents and lead Carers to access Childcare opportunities and highlighting the benefits it brings to families and children. We are also developing innovative ways to support those with an interest in working in the sector to learn more and experience it.
- Working with Research Partners including the Centre for Progressive Policy, Learning and Work Institute and others to help authorities, providers, and government prepare for an upcoming expansion in funding, demand and interest in the sector locally and nationally – so that LCR residents can be supported to access Early Years Education where and when they and their children need it.
