Early Years Forum
The Early Years Forum was established in the early
1990s focusing on the care and education of young children from birth.
The group brings together representatives from the full range of diverse
agencies with a stake and interest in services and policies for young
children. This includes representatives from the statutory, voluntary
and private sector and across education, social care, health and equal
opportunities. It offers an independent forum for discussing early years
policy and practice in Scotland. The forum also provides a UK perspective
through links with the National Children’s Bureau and Children in
Wales as well as offering a wider international perspective.
The forum aims to promote good practice; support organisations and departments
to work together on childcare issues; informs policy development; and
keeps members abreast of current issues. The group raises awareness and
initiates debate on issues concerning the early years sector as well as
responding to relevant consultations, petitions and requests from the
Scottish Executive.
There has been a recent and rapid increase of all types of early year
provision which is expected to continue in coming years. In addition,
the sector as a whole is facing a period of unprecedented structural change
with the creation of the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care
and the Scottish Social Services Council and the abolition of national
training organisations. In a recent evaluation of the forum, members identified
the main challenges facing early years services over the next five years.
These included issues relating to registration and inspection, training
and qualifications, raising the profile of early years work (particularly
amongst policy makers), sustainable funding and developing a coherent
future for childcare. Given the above context, members highlighted the
importance of the forum in bringing together organisations to debate changes,
identify good practice and both inform policy and keep informed of policy
developments.
group of young people chatting (image)
Contact details
for this section:
Catriona Thomson
Telephone:
0131 222 2445
Click here to send an email
Learning Teaching Scotland Early Years
Learning and Teaching Scotland's Early Years Online contains information and resources for all involved or interested in the care and education of children 0-8 years.