Early years and childcare service
Our service is committed to giving every child the best start in life.
We work with families, childcare providers and partners to ensure children can access high-quality, inclusive childcare and early learning opportunities that meet their needs from the earliest years.
Helping families access childcare
We work to improve childcare sufficiency across Nottinghamshire so families can access the childcare they need.
This includes:
- increasing access to early learning for eligible two-year-olds
- supporting families to take up funded childcare places
- improving access to wraparound childcare
- supporting the delivery of free breakfast clubs
- reducing barriers to employment and supporting family wellbeing
Our Childcare Sufficiency Assessment [PDF] explains how we assess local demand and plan childcare provision across the county.
Supporting quality and school readiness
Alongside access to childcare, we focus on improving quality and supporting school readiness.
We work with early years providers to help children develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to thrive.
Our ambition is to increase the number of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Particular attention is given to communication, speech and language development.
This includes targeted interventions such as WellComm to help children make accelerated progress.
Safeguarding and inclusion
Safeguarding and inclusion are central to our approach.
We work alongside providers to ensure children are safe, included and supported.
Our ambition is for 100% of inspected providers to meet safeguarding requirements and achieve expected standards or better for inclusion.
We also support providers to create inclusive environments where vulnerable children and children with additional needs can access and benefit fully from early learning and childcare.
Workforce development
A skilled and confident workforce is key to achieving the best outcomes for children.
We support practitioners to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence through training, guidance and professional development opportunities. This includes support for those working with vulnerable children and families.
By investing in workforce development, we help providers deliver high-quality, nurturing care that supports children's development and wellbeing.
Funding and outcomes
We help ensure funding is used fairly and effectively to improve outcomes for children.
This includes supporting providers to access and maximise available funding, including Early Years Pupil Premium.
We also support providers to use funding in line with Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidance. This includes ensuring funding is published transparently and targeted to make the greatest difference for children who need it most.
Together, our work on childcare sufficiency, quality and funding helps create a joined-up system that supports strong early development, positive family experiences and better long-term outcomes for children across Nottinghamshire.
