“It’s made me feel better, and i’m not on high alert 24/7” - Developing community early years services with families.

What’s on offer?

Sheffield Hallam University Early Years Community Research Centre and Save the Children UK will host an online event presenting on their joint project to develop and deliver early years services for families in an area of socio-economic challenge in Sheffield. This presentation brings to life the voice of parents who have accessed nursery support for their young children and the impact this has had on them and their families.

What’s it about?

Since 2018 Sheffield Hallam University have been working in partnership with Save the Children UK, local schools and Sheffield City Council to develop services for the families of young children across a locality in Sheffield. This area is one of Save the Children UK’s five Early Learning Communities which aim to make a sustainable difference to the lives of young children (0-3years) growing up in poverty in communities across the UK, by taking a whole-system and evidence-based approach to improving early learning outcomes. The approaches are underpinned by the principles of co-design with families in the communities. The Early Learning Community partnership attracted additional funding for nursery places in 2021 that allowed them to innovate and adapt existing policy to meet community needs. Through this additional funding the nursery offered places for children at an earlier age than the current government policy dictates and full days at no additional cost to parents. The impact of this provision was explored through interviews with the parents and provides key insights to the challenges families are facing in the wake of the pandemic.

Who’s leading the event?

Professor Sally Pearse, Director of the Early Years and Community Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University

Rachel Parkin, Head of the North of England, Save the Children UK

Dr Fufy Demissie, Senior Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University

El Byrne, Senior Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University

Open to

This is a public event open to anyone working within the early years and family support sector in the UK

Of particular interest to

This event is of interest to anyone working within the early years and family support sector in the UK (e.g., those working in policy, practice, academia, volunteers, or those with an interest in early years education and care and local communities).