We aim to improve outcomes for all children under five through focussing on the following priorities:
- Communication and language
- Reduction in equality gap for targeted children
- Ensure sufficiency
- Workforce development
The home learning environment and early years team offer support and advice through:
- An offer of training for professional development and courses for parents via torbay.learningpool.com
- Advisory visits to individual settings with children under five whether the setting is a nursery, a preschool, a childminder or a school-based nursery.
- Support for settings with children experiencing additional needs through a virtual consultation or a visit to offer advice.
- The Portage team is available for children who meet the criteria.
- The Home learning environment development outreach worker visits families whose children under five are not attending a setting.
- Advice is available regarding any aspect of Safeguarding.
- A member of the team attends the Early Help panel each week to support families with early years children to receive support.
- The Local Authority receives funding to offer additional support to settings for children experiencing a high level of need. This is referred to as ALFI in Torbay: Activity Led Funding for Inclusion.
- Parents can apply for funded childcare through the team.
- Expansion of childcare provision is supported through our sufficiency report and advisory visits to settings who intend to create or extend their provision.
Who is in the team
- Home Learning Environment and Early Years Team Lead
- Early Years Advisory Teacher for Inclusion
- Early Years Advisory Teacher
- Early Language Consultant
- Early Years Development workers
- Portage Home Visiting workers
- Home Learning Environment Outreach worker
- Early Years Finance and Business officer
- Business support officer
You can find everything you need to know on these pages.