Oxfordshire Early Years Board update

• a disproportionate number of settings receiving RI and inadequate inspection judgements compared with other local authorities
• the stubborn gap between the outcomes for children eligible for pupil premium and their peers at the end of reception (Early Years Foundation Stage Profile).

Board members asked challenging questions, and provided guidance for council officers in addressing these areas of concern.

Updates

• Board members voted to support the use of funding to extend the phonological development project work to the feeder settings for the schools involved. This initiative will be led by a sub-committee of the Board and the Early Years Teaching Schools.
• Two new Board members joined the group: Nicky Taylor, Operational Manager with professional lead for health visiting in Oxfordshire, and Jan Dubiel, National Development manager Early Excellence. Nicky provided useful input on Health Visitor work with two year-olds.
• Sarah Steel, Managing Director of Old Station Nurseries, was voted on as chair of the Board for the forthcoming year.
• In May, the Board will discuss the Early Years Foundation Stage profile assessment, guiding council officers on the possible recommendation of continuing the assessment even though it will no longer be required in 2017.