We understand the very different needs of families. Using best practice to inform and constantly improve our services, we offer clear, practical solutions to local authority partners and commissioners.

Information and advice

Accredited to the Matrix Standard, our Information Service Team, offers specialist advice, resources and support to members, partners, staff and volunteers. Everything from starting up and managing a setting, advice on ways to engage with parents and how to manage a charitable setting. A legal advice line, Lawcall, is also available for Alliance members.

Business support and development

Development workers offer support to settings in many practical ways at local level. They offer guidance on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), registering with Ofsted and how to prepare for inspections. Overall performance is carefully monitored and improved with support from these specialists. Development workers also advise on latest policies, funding streams and best practice.

Children’s Centres

We have considerable experience extending provision, setting up and managing children’s centres and nurseries in deprived areas. Detailed checks are undertaken to ensure long-term sustainability, covering areas such as business management, workforce development, marketing and quality improvement.

Training

As a major training provider, we deliver a full range of staff development programmes and professional courses for early years practitioners. Our flexible packages provide opportunities to develop skills more formally with recognised childcare qualifications. We tailor packages for individual clients such as local authorities, covering areas as varied as healthy eating in early years,  EYFS and inclusive practive. Find out more

Specialist publications

Our latest catalogue offers a full range of publications and resources covering all aspects of policy and practice including managing an early years service, business support, inclusion, learning and development planning and record keeping. Visit the Alliance shop

Quality improvement

We are committed to the continuous review and improvement of our performance. We set clear standards, evaluate and share good practice. Reflecting on Quality, the Alliance's accreditation scheme, supports early years settings in delivering and achieving the highest possible standards of education and care for children. Find out more

Innovative resources

The Alliance has developed a user-friendly, nursery management software package, ‘EY-Essential’. The package supports early years practitioners with daily management tasks such as bookings, ratios, diary to staff rotas and invoicing. Find out more