Praise for early years support in North Tyneside
Early years support in North Tyneside has been praised as an ‘exemplar of good practice’ following a peer review from the Local Government Association.
The borough has a ‘strong story to tell’ when it comes to speech, language, and communication with its long-term commitment to improving outcomes for the youngest children, and the review highlights the strong work taking place.
By working with partners including Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust, its schools and childcare settings, North Tyneside Council is praised for endorsing a shared vision to support children living in North Tyneside.
Ensuring children receive the best possible support in their childhood is a priority for the local authority and its teams strive to help and support all settings to achieve this aspiration.
Reviewers spent time speaking to senior leaders, colleagues, parents, schools, settings and partners to hear their experience of the services with one commenting that it’s clear that ‘children are at the heart of everything’.
The review found that different parts of the council work together to promote speech, language and communications including its children’s public health (0-19 service), libraries, portage team, language and communication team, Education North Tyneside, children’s centres, and community activities.
Reviewers commented that this, joined with practitioners’ commitment to upskilling the sector’s employees have created ‘good and valued resources’ in the community where children and their parents are supported.
Cllr Steven Phillips, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning at North Tyneside Council, said: “We have a fantastic and thriving Early Years sector in North Tyneside that strives to give children the best possible start to their lives, and I’m delighted that this peer review has recognised the brilliant work that takes place.
“Like many other authorities, we’re facing challenges in the sector, and we’re committed to working with our partners to action all of the recommendations to further strengthen the offer we have available for our residents.
“The outcome is a testament to the hard work of our teams and their partners and to receive praise is something we’re all extremely proud of.”
While the review was overwhelmingly positive, recommendations were provided to enhance the service including work to promote recruitment and retention of staff in the sector and further engagement of childminders.
The review took place over three weeks in November and December 2022 where peers visited the Council and external partners to review its practices.
The council has longstanding success throughout its Children’s Services, and this report is the latest praise for the service. In 2022, it was described as ‘Highly Effective’ by Ofsted and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in North Tyneside were also described as “strong”.