Issue - meetings

To receive a joint report from the Corporate Director of Children and Education and the Director of Public Health, which seeks approval for the strategic approach to York’s local Best Start in Life (BSiL) plan, which focuses on early childhood development and reducing inequalities, with the aim of increasing the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of Reception year.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)   Endorses the strategic Best Start in Life approach, focused on reducing inequalities and improving early childhood outcomes in order to meet the Government’s statutory targets for the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development by age five.

b)   Approves delegated authority to the Executive Member for Children and Education to sign off the final local Best Start in Life plan.

c)    Agrees the ambition to position York as a Centre of Excellence for early childhood development, working with Ebor Multi Academy Trust, the University of York, York St John University, and other partners, including the voluntary and community sector and — where appropriate — private sector investors. This ambition will include a particular focus on the first 1001 days.

Reason: Supports statutory compliance, strengthens system leadership, and enables York to take a more ambitious and evidence driven approach to improving early childhood outcomes.

The Corporate Director of Children and Education and the Director of Public Health submitted a joint report which sought approval for the strategic approach to York’s local Best Start in Life (BSiL) plan, which focussed on early childhood development and reducing inequalities, with the aim of increasing the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of Reception year.

The following officers were in attendance for this item:

-       Martin Kelly, Corporate Director of Children’s and Education

-       Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health

-       Kate Horne, Public Health Principal

-       Rob Newton, Local Evidence Lead.

The Executive Member thanked officers for the excellent work and positive attitude that they had brought to this piece of work. That it was a universal approach aimed at ensuring the best possible opportunities for young people in York. He also highlighted the positive work undertaken by SureStart in supporting young families. In addition, a centre for excellence was being developed, which was expected to make a big difference for children and families in York.

Resolved (unanimously):

That Executive

a)   Endorses the strategic Best Start in Life approach, focused on reducing inequalities and improving early childhood outcomes in order to meet the Government’s statutory targets for the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development by age five.

b)   Approves delegated authority to the Executive Member for Children and Education to sign off the final local Best Start in Life plan.

c)    Agrees the ambition to position York as a Centre of Excellence for early childhood development, working with Ebor Multi Academy Trust, the University of York, York St John University, and other partners, including the voluntary and community sector and — where appropriate — private sector investors. This ambition will include a particular focus on the first 1001 days.

Reason: Supports statutory compliance, strengthens system leadership, and enables York to take a more ambitious and evidence driven approach to improving early childhood outcomes.