Some key features of the strategy include plans for:
- More highly qualified staff where they are needed the most by increasing the number of early years teachers and offering financial incentives for them to teach in the most disadvantaged communities
- Sharing evidence-informed practice through doubling the number of Stronger Practice Hubs and funding partnerships between nurseries and schools
- Funding evidence-based programmes that have been proven to enhance educator’s practice and improve children’s development, including funding access to the EEF evaluated programme Maths Champion
- Up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs, ensuring there’s a hub in every local authority across England and located in areas of disadvantage
- Establishing an evidence-informed career framework to support career progression at all levels
- Additional EYPP funding for areas most in need and working with the EEF to evaluate different approaches to using Early Years Pupil Premium funding to understand how best to maximise its impact
- Continuing to build on work begun with the EEF to build the evidence base of high-quality professional development programmesA programme is a package of support, including professional development, that helps early years educators to improve particular areas of practice and children’s outcomes. in critical areas of learning, bringing those to more settings
Commenting on the strategy, Chris Paterson, co-CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), said: