Partnership working in focus as volunteers gather for National Congress
NEWS RELEASE
5 November 2005
Partnership working in focus as volunteers gather for National Congress
Volunteers and staff from across the country are gathering today at the Assembly Rooms in Derby for the Pre-school Learning Alliance National Congress 2005.
The theme for National Congress 2005, a key event in the charity's calendar, is The ten-year strategy: one year on. In particular, the programme will focus on the key challenges emerging from the strategy and the forthcoming Childcare Bill, including the new duty on local authorities to ensure sufficient local provision.
Delegates will hear a number of perspectives on how the voluntary sector can work in partnership with local authorities to fulfil the new duty. Commissioning arrangements, strategic partnerships and voluntary sector involvement in the children centre and extended schools initiatives will all feature as part of the two-day practice based conference. Speakers include John North from Nottinghamshire Association for Voluntary Organisations, David McVean from the Department for Education and Skills, Dee Gasson from Ofsted and Head Teacher Gerry D'Cruz.
Steve Alexander, Chief Executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance said
"The ten-year strategy and forthcoming Childcare Bill are two of the most significant developments in the early years sector in recent years. Vibrant private and voluntary sectors can play a crucial role in supporting local authorities in fulfilling their challenging new duty to ensure adequate levels of local provision.
This conference will provide delegates with practical advice and guidance to help support local delivery on the ground. I am delighted that they will benefit from such a range of perspectives from people close to local commissioning and the government's early years policy agenda".
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Andrew Fletcher
Pre-school Learning Alliance
T: 020 7014 9301
Out of hours press calls: 07979 531 130
E: Andrew Fletcher
Notes for Editors:
- The Pre-school Learning Alliance links 15,000 pre-schools and 500,000 young children and their families in England. Established in 1961 and registered as an educational charity, the Alliance is the national dimension of the pre-school movement. The charity is involved in more Sure Start projects than any other organisation and operates a number of Neighbourhood Nurseries. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website: www.pre-school.org.uk.
- The ten-year strategy: one year on takes place at the Assembly Rooms in Derby on November 5 and 6. For more information, contact the events team on 020 7833 0991.
- Copies of all the Alliance’s policy submissions, including its response to the Childcare Bill consultation can be downloaded from the website: www.pre-school.org.uk Visit the ‘News’ Section and click on ‘Policy’