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PART ONE: THE LOCAL IMPACT OF A NATIONAL STRATEGY:INTEGRATING SERVICES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIRFAMILIES1.
Introduction
This is an account of my first hundred days as head of Kate GreenawayNursery School in Islington, London. I want to write, as far as possible, anaccount of what it has actually been like. I want to try to write somethingwhich does not idealize the situation, but allows for the messy bits, themistakes, and the uncertainties. Inevitably, there are important bits of thestory which have been cut out, for a variety of reasons. This is a partialaccount; and it is from my point of view.I first put a proposal to the Department for Education and Skills for aLeadership and Management Research Bursary to examine the developmentof integrated services in December 2002. At that time, I was the Head of along-established Nursery Centre which was part of the Early Excellence PilotProgramme.I left that post because of my desire to work for a local authority which had agreater understanding of integrated work in the early years. I was attractedto Islington Council in London because of its long-standing commitment tointegrating education and childcare, both in its early years centres and in twoof its three nursery schools.We are living in a period of unprecedented expansion and change inEngland’s early childhood sector. In particular, the Neighbourhood Nurseryand Children’s Centres programmes are emphasizing new ways of deliveringservices for families with young children. This research presents both thepositive and negative experiences of living through these changes. We areliving in between states. Buildings are not yet finished, staff teams not yetrecruited and trained; yet we have said the last farewells to the old ways of doing things.
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Integrated services for families with young children
The government has clearly stated its strategy of integrating education,childcare, health and other services for families with young children. Its mainstrategy is to transform“the way services are delivered to ensure over time the Government better meets the needs of children and their parents, particularly forthe most vulnerable, reflecting the early lessons of Sure Start. TheGovernment’s longer-term aim is to establish a children’s centre inevery one of the 20 per cent most disadvantaged wards. These centreswill bring together good quality childcare with early years education,family support and health services. These centres will also act as servicehubs within the community for parents and providers of childcareservices for children of all ages.”
Strategy Unit, 2002: 4
3.
Context
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I have enjoyed reading this as a newly appointed head - your paper has helped me put my new role in perspective!