IGN Insights

Scaling up Early Years Education in Liverpool City Region 

Emma Dickinson, Principal Policy Officer at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, on the Combined Authority’s approach

Emma Dickinson

Principal Policy Officer at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Good work

Emma Dickinson

Principal Policy Officer at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is taking a proactive and collaborative approach to support the Early Years Education sector as it scales up in response to the significant investment initially announced by the previous government in March 2023, and the expected increase in demand.

We are working closely with our six local authorities and key stakeholders to cohere and support a whole system response to ensure access to high quality Early Years Education, delivered by a well-trained, well-supported, motivated and valued workforce, which meets the needs of those who use it.

We are clear that access to high quality provision can be transformational for some children; the long-term benefits have the potential to significantly improve life chances for children, bridging the attainment gap between lower-income children and their more advantaged peers. International research shows that high-quality Early Years provision particularly benefits children from low-income backgrounds.

We also recognise the importance of the role that Early Years Education plays in an inclusive economy: helping parents back to work or study, supporting their financial stability, and ensuring businesses have a reliable workforce and customer base. The Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) estimate that the lack of affordable childcare costs our national economy £27bn to £38bn annually, or about 1% of GDP, due to reduced female labour force participation.

Our Mayor, Steve Rotheram included a Childcare Pledge in his election manifesto earlier this year, demonstrating his commitment to the Early Years sector.

Convening partners and understanding challenges 

The scale of the challenge is huge and only a collaborative approach will achieve positive outcomes. In May 2023, LCRCA initiated a series of roundtable discussions with partners to understand the issues and challenges faced by the Early Years Education sector. This collaborative effort has led to the development of local solutions to address the regional challenge of ensuring the sector can effectively respond to the increased demand as the expansion of funded childcare hours rolls out.

Leveraging devolved powers and building partnerships 

While LCRCA does not have direct delivery responsibility for Early Years Education, it is leveraging its devolved powers and the trust and relationships built with local authorities and other stakeholders to jointly develop tailored solutions. The approach recognises the key role of access to childcare and Early Years Education in supporting the Combined Authority's wider economic, employment, and equality objectives, as well as the lifelong positive impact of high-quality Early Years Education on children's learning, health, social outcomes, and communities. 

Comprehensive solutions and initiatives 

LCRCA's solution-based approach focuses on areas where it can directly influence and bring together devolution and partnership solutions, including: 

A local advocacy and recruitment campaign embedded in BeMore (LCRCA’s dedicated careers portal), involving a dedicated online campaign to complement national recruitment efforts, support parents, carers and families in accessing available Early Years Education, and increase awareness of careers and skills opportunities within the sector.

Research and modelling - collaboration with local authorities, CPP and the Learning and Work Institute on a unique research project to map and model current and future issues, vacancies, and supply/demand at the local level.

Utilisation of Devolved Adult Skills Fund through a Test and Learn pilot to identify barriers and support Early Years staff in undertaking full and relevant Level 3 qualifications.

A dedicated Early Years Apprenticeship Levy Transfer package, encouraging major employers to transfer their unspent Apprenticeship Levy to local early years settings and streamlining the process for nurseries and providers to access it. To date we have connected £398,000 in unused levy training funds to support 65 new apprenticeships.

Development of Early Years Skills Bootcamps using devolved powers to meet local need of employers.  LCRCA has secured £470,000 to create 150 places in the Liverpool City Region on new Skills Bootcamps for childcare, co-developed by the sector and run by the Education Development Trust and Aspire Academy. A further 40 existing staff will be retrained.

Collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentre Plus (JCP), involving engagement with work coaches to discuss careers in the Early Years sector, the impact on children, and the value of Early Years Education, enabling them to make a positive case for working in the sector.

A successful Flexible Support Fund bid to DWP has resulted in the Combined Authority appointing five new Early Years Education and Childcare Employment Officers to work in job centres across the region, working with customers to raise awareness of upskilling and job opportunities within Early Years.

Distribution of an Early Years questionnaire through JCP to identify individuals with formal or informal experience in working with children and families, and understand their motivations and concerns regarding the sector.

Securing a National Pilot for an Early Years Sector-Based Work Academy to provide an entry level understanding and accreditation for those interested in working in the sector which has been successful and now rolled our nationally.

Convening regular meetings between the Department for Education (DfE) and the DWP national policy officials to highlight local initiatives, engage in two-way dialogue, and share issues and good practice from the Early Years Education sector.

A bright future 

Through this comprehensive approach, LCRCA is working to support the Early Years Education sector in recruiting, retaining and upskilling staff, raising awareness of the value and impact of early years education on children, and enhancing the profile and recognition of the sector as a whole.  

Guided and supported by all of our Local Authority Early Years Leads, and working collaboratively across the sector, LCRCA is working to cohere and support a whole system response to ensure high quality Early Years Education is available to meet the needs of those who use it. 

If you would like more information please visit: Early Years - BeMore (lcrbemore.co.uk) 

The research and modelling work with CPP and the Learning and Work Institute has been delivered through fully funded IGN implementation advice – bespoke delivery support, tailored to member needs, which helps to unlock projects that deliver inclusive growth.