The Birth to 3 Framework was developed by the city council inpartnership with a range of childcare providers and associations whowork directly with babies and young children, as well as NHSLothian.
Councillor Marilyne Maclaren, convenor of the council's Education,Children and Families committee, said, 'This framework will encouragestaff to focus on the individual needs of children, work together todevelop their practice and improve the quality of provision for theunder-threes.'
Catherine Groat, manager of the Croileagan nursery, which has beenheavily involved in developing the framework, said that while itrepresented guidelines and not a rigid blueprint, it was 'better to havesomething written down'. She added that the emphasis throughout is ontreating the child with respect and as an individual.
- A vigorous campaign to halt cuts in education appears to have had animpact, as Edinburgh City Council pulled back from announcing theclosure of schools and nursery schools when it unveiled its budget lastweek.
Councillor MacLaren said, 'There is good news for full-time nurseryplaces, as due to prudent financial management, we now believe thatthose children in need of a place will be offered one. The reduction offull-time places which was due to be 320 has now been reduced to 112. Itis anticipated that the freeze on offering full-time nursery places willbe lifted shortly.'
She denied there were plans to cut the Sure Start budget and said 'thereare no plans to close any of our nursery schools'.
There was concern in the sector when the council imposed the freeze onfull-time places last autumn that it would lead to closures and cuts instaff.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Edinburgh early years and childcare team, 0131 529 2103.
