Agenda item

12.1

12.2

12.3

12.3.1

12.4

12.4.1

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Commissioning Manager – Early Years and Early Help which included the New Sheffield Early Years Strategy ‘Start for Life Sheffield 2023-8’ for consideration and approval.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

-       consider “Start for Life Sheffield 2023 – 2028” (attached at Appendix 1) and agree its adoption as Sheffield’s Early Years Strategy for the next 5 years.

Reasons for Decision

Sheffield is a great place to grow up and the new Early Years Strategy “Start for Life Sheffield” sets out how we will work together across the Early Years workforce to give all Sheffield children the start for life that they deserve. Setting out our ambitions from pre- birth to school life will support all children to have equality of opportunity to be healthy, happy, and safe. As such it is important for the Education Children and Families Committee members to have contributed to the development of the Strategy and provide final approval for its use as the city’s Early Years Strategy.

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The current Early Years Strategy that ended in March 2023 could have been refreshed. However, the level of change locally both locally and nationally in terms of the issues facing families, the impact of the pandemic and the national developments around EYFS and Family Hubs presented an opportunity to consult and co-produce a new Early Years Strategy that can positively impact on the lives of children and young people.