Early Years in schools

Schools setting up Early Years provision

Schools who are interested in opening up early years provision should use the following guidance documents to support them through the process: 

• Guidance for maintained schools (PDF)
• Guidance for academy schools (PDF)

First steps

Before any decisions are made, it is important for schools to consider the following:

• is there any demand for early years provision in their community?
• will it have a detrimental impact on other early years providers?
• does the school have space for an early years setting?
• how is the provision going to be financed? 

To open Early Years provision, schools must consult with the Local Authority, the school community and other local schools and settings.  

To inform the decision making process, as well as the potential consultation process, we recommend that schools request an Early Years Sufficiency Assessment: 

• Request for an Early Years Sufficiency Assessment - form 

Consultation process

The Early Years Sufficiency Assessment will provide information about the demand and supply of Early Years provision within the local area; if there is a need for additional provision, the school can move onto the Consultation process. 

Schools should consult for a minimum of 3 weeks, term-time, and include all local stakeholders, including the Local Authority.The Sufficiency and Place Planning Team (SPP Team) can provide Consultation templates; to request, please email: SPP@worcestershire.gov.uk.  

When the Consultation is published, a copy should be emailed to the Sufficiency and Place Planning Team; the SPP Team will respond on behalf of the Local Authority, using the WCC Change of Age Range Criteria. The consultation should address all aspects of the criteria. 

Decision making process

Following the consultation process, the appropriate body can make an informed decision whether to agree the proposal. 

For Maintained schools opening either Governor Led provision or a Maintained Nursery Class, the Governing Body is responsible for making the decision; this should be completed formally at a Full Governing Body meeting. 

For Academies, the response to the consultation should be included in their application to the Department for Education (DfE) to change the age-range of the Academy school. 

Support

The Early Years and Childcare Team can support schools who are considering opening Early Years provision:

• email: EYCC@worcestershire.gov.uk to request