What is the Torbay Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership?

Set up following the 1997 General Election, EYDCPs started their life in the simpler format of Early Years Development Partnerships (EYDPs). Their focus was to provide a local integrated planning forum for early education - and initially their main concern was to concentrate on putting in place a system to replace the Nursery Voucher Scheme. Some Local Authorities (LA's) were in a position to set up EYDPs almost immediately, others required a little more time, but all LA's had an EYDP up and running by the latter part of 1997 and the first Early Years Development Plan was submitted to the Department for Education and Employment (as was) in February 1998.

At the same time, the National Childcare Strategy was being developed and during 1998 the remit of EYDPs was extended to include childcare for 0 -14 year olds. ln Autumn 1998, EYDPs became Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships and the membership of the Partnerships expanded accordingly. Since then Early Years Development and Childcare Plans were submitted annually to the DfES until 2001, when the planning process shifted its focus to a three year Strategic Plan and a shorter annual Implementation Plan. It is the responsibility of the Local Authority to convene the Partnership within the guidelines set out in the Planning Guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills.

The EYDCP is responsible for the planning and co-ordination of pre-school education and childcare across all sectors in Torbay. It is also responsible for drawing up and monitoring the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan , which is updated annually and approved by the Department for Education and Skills, and has input to various policies.

Partnership Members

As part of the Government's National Childcare Strategy, each Local Authority has set up an Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).  This is a group of people, each of whom has an interest in childcare and/or early years education.

• Bay Forum.
• CET.
• Community Education.
• DCMA.
• Devon Playing Fields.
• Diocesan Authorities Plymouth (RC).
• DISC.
• Early Years Independent Schools.
• FE College.
• Health.
• Homestart.
• Independent Schools.
• Independent Chair.
• Jobcentre Plus.
• LA.
• LA Primary Schools.
• Learning & Skills Council.
• NDNA.
• Ofsted.
• PLA.
• Play Forum.
• Playlines.
• PTA.
• Social Services.
• Special Schools.
• Sure Start Local Programmes.
• Torbay Children's Fund.
• Torbay Council.
• Torbay Library Service.