TO: All professionals, leaders and managers in the Early Years – via local authorities, NGOs and their networks, delivery bodies

FROM: Sarah Teather MP

SUBJECT:  The Importance of the Early Years

You will have seen today that the Government has published local authority allocations for the next two years, including allocations for the new ‘Early Intervention Grant’.

This new grant is intended to give local areas the freedom and flexibility to invest in early intervention, which includes the crucial work you and your colleagues do with and for families with young children. We have been clear to local leaders that this money should go directly to vital frontline services, like Sure Start Children’s Centres, and spending decisions should involve local professionals and communities. Details of the allocations and the Secretary of State’s letter to Directors of Children’s Services are available online.

From this letter you will see that

  • We have highlighted the additional resources in the Early Intervention Grant for free early education for disadvantaged two year-olds, which will, subject to Parliamentary approval, be supported by a legislative entitlement from 2013.
  • We have ensured that there is enough money in the EIG to maintain the existing network of Sure Start Children’s Centres, accessible to all but identifying and supporting families in greatest need, and we have reiterated the statutory duties that local authorities have under the Childcare Act 2006 to consult before opening, closing or significantly changing children’s centres and to secure sufficient provision to meet local need.
  • There will be important new investment in 4200 extra health visitors from Department of Health budgets to promote stronger partnerships with health in the early years.

Everyone in government, local and national, is making tough decisions at the moment to ensure limited resources are spent effectively. The new grant reflects what we all know: that intervening early makes sense socially, morally and financially. Nowhere is this more true than in the early stages of children’s learning and development. A summary of the evidence base for investing in the early years is available online, as well as more information about the purpose of the new grant.

I hope this information is helpful to you in your role as we work together, both nationally and locally, to secure the best possible start for all children.