DRAFT Early Years Strategy 2023 Contents What is the CPP?

What is the CPP? 2 The Moray Community Planning Partnership

Who is this strategy for? 3 The Partnership currently has 13 members:

Why do we need a strategy? 4 • Communities • Fire & Rescue Main points of the framework 6 • Grampian Police • HIE Moray What have we got now in Moray? 8 • Joint Community Councils • Moray Chamber of Commerce The Moray Early Years Strategy 9 • Moray Citizens’ Advice Bureau • Moray College What does that mean for Moray? 10 • Moray Voluntary Service Organisation • NHS Grampian Moray Early Years Strategy Appendices 12 • RAF • Appendix A 13 • Volunteer Centre Moray

Appendix B 14 The Council has lead responsibility for guiding and facilitating the work of the Partnership. The Single Appendix C 18 Outcome Agreement has been replaced by Moray 2023 a Plan for the Future (PDF) (52 pages, 1.81 MB) Appendix D 23 – See more at:

Appendix E 24 • http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/ page_2101.html#sthash.4elSiNDK.dpuf Your Notes 25 Credits

Report: Polly Cheer

Design: Angus McNicholl

Photography: Emma Cheer Photography, Wavebreakmedia, Earthtime, Angus McNicholl

2 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Who is this strategy for?

This strategy shows what services and support need to be in place to ensure that every child pre-birth to 8 years of age, has the right start in life. This means that they have the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

The services and support talked about are those provided by the Community Planning Partners1. We It’s easier to build hope that the whole community in Moray will join us in making sure this strategy happens. Without the support strong children of the whole community we will not be able to meet the than to repair needs of children from pre-birth to 8 years of age. broken men The strategy should be read by anyone with an interest Frederick Douglas 1855 in the Early Years, either personally or professionally.

1 For more information on who the Community Planning Partners are see Appendix A

2 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 3 Why do we need a strategy?

“Every child deserves an equal opportunity to lead partnership with families, and where appropriate, take Effective approaches to early years and early a healthy and fulfilling life, and with the right kind of early action at the first signs of any concern about intervention policy will contribute strongly to promoting early intervention, there is every opportunity for secure wellbeing – rather than only getting involved when a and upholding children’s rights as defined by the UN parent infant attachments to be developed” situation has already reached crisis point. Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and The 1001 Critical Days2 those rights underpin the vision of this strategy. Everyone involved with young children should In 2004 the GIRFEC3 (Getting it Right for Every Child) therefore take into account the wellbeing of the whole It will take a concerted and long-term effort across approach arose out of the review of the Children’s child and consider whether they are: a range of policies and services to deliver the Hearings System. transformational change in early years required. Therefore Scottish Government have set out 10 D SAF DE E The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 LU overlapping elements that need to come together over C IN became law on the 27 March 2014 enshrining in law the 10 year time frame of the framework to deliver the

H D key elements of the of the Getting It Right approach. E vision and a radical improvement in outcomes. E A T L C T E

H Getting it right for every child: P The diagram right (taken from the framework) Y

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demonstrates how early intervention can improve

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• improves outcomes for children through doing things outcomes for children in later life.

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differently so as to make better use of existing H

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V resources I

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• involves children and families in decision making

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E R R T and respects their rights U • consistently identifies at an early stage children who need help • increases the capacity of health and education to This is why the GIRFEC approach is at the heart of this meet children’s needs strategy for Moray’s youngest children. • reduces paperwork and duplication of systems • draws help towards the child rather than passing the To build on work already in progress through Getting 2 More information can be found at: child from one service to another it Right for Every Child The Early Years Framework4 • www.1001criticaldays.co.uk • frees up staff time to take action that will improve the for Scotland was published in December 2008, and it life chances of children and families. provided a new vision for the early years in Scotland 3 More information on GIRFEC can be found at: transforming where we are now. The main focus is to • www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/ Getting it right for every child is important for everyone target resources on getting it right for every child in gettingitright who works with children and young people – as their early years, which should mean there are fewer well as many people who work with adults who look problems when they grow up. 4 PDF file: Scottish Government (2008d) The Early after children. Practitioners need to work together in Years Framework, : Scottish Government. 4 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Lower level of Better risk behaviours educational & crime outcomes

Sexual health Youth services intervention Reduced risk of vulnerable Reduced level pregnancy of youth dissorder Antenatal focus on parenting Personal support in school Improved parenting skills Better Intensive family engagement at support Nurture / school e ective High quality transitions early learning & childcare Improved early development Improved peer relationships

4 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 5 Main points of the framework

Ten Elements of Transformational Change

1. A coherent approach (creating a service which is 4. A focus on engagement and empowerment of 8. Barriers to access, particularly transport Improving less fragmented ‘A fundamental shift is needed to children, families and communities (a central issue outcomes and children’s quality of life through play re-conceptualise the influences on children in the for children and parents in the research conducted (Play is a fundamental part of children’s quality of early years to see them as complementary parts in support of the framework is the way that services life and a right enshrined in the UN Convention on of a whole system around the child’. Improving engage with them, in terms of patterns of delivery the Rights of the Child. Outdoor play in particular children’s services planning and delivery and the and relationships with the people delivering those can also be a major contributor to outcomes Getting it Right for Every Child agenda will play key services) around physical activity and healthy weight roles here Developing play spaces, and play opportunities for 5. Using the strength of universal services to deliver children and removing barriers to play is therefore 2. Helping children, families and communities to prevention and early intervention (the majority of a priority. secure outcomes for themselves (While there will future investment should be focused on making continue to be cases where the best interests sure antenatal care, postnatal community nursing, 9. Simplifying and streamlining delivery (At the of children will mean finding alternative care, for early learning, childcare and school are equipped moment, there is clear lead from health in antenatal almost all children responsibility for parenting must to identify needs and risks, and able then to deliver services and from 3 upwards through education. lie with parents, supported by communities and a service that meets the different needs identified The situation for 0-3 services is less clear and this services as required. within mainstream services as far as possible. has been identified as an area requiring additional When more specialised services are required they support. This will involve developing multi-agency 3. Breaking cycles of poverty, inequality and poor should be brought to the child and family in line pathways of care, based on robust evidence and outcomes in and through early years (to focus with Getting it Right for Every Child principles). integral to this will be the need to develop strategic on the period between early pregnancy and 3 leadership where it does not currently exist. years old when breaking cycles of poor outcomes 6. Putting quality at the heart of service delivery (The for families such as substance misuse, debt, skills, knowledge, attitudes and qualifications of the poor housing and lack of employment, working workforce are a key focus in improving quality, and alongside other key policies particularly Achieving the mix of those skills is also critical. We want the our Potential, Curriculum for Excellence, Equally best people working in early years where they can 5 For more information on these policies see: Well and Skills for Scotland5) have the biggest impact on outcomes). • www.gov.scot/resource/doc/229649/0062206.pdf • www.gov.scot/resource/doc/197204/0052752.pdf 7. Services that meet the needs of children and • www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/all_ families. We need to concentrate on developing experiences_outcomes_tcm4-539562.pdf integrated education and childcare services and developing a progressive scheme for supporting parents with the costs of childcare.

6 || Early Years Strategy 2023 10. More effective collaborations. (There is an almost We need a strategy which delivers the aims of universal view that partnerships between the public the Early Years Framework and the Early Years sector and private and third sector providers could Collaborative. This strategy supported by the, Moray and should work better To develop more strategic Children and Young People’s Service Plan7, sets out partnerships, developing models of joint delivery a clear plan of action to achieve the targets set out in involving public and private/third sector providers, Moray 20238. establishing long-term funding arrangements and funding that reflects the real cost of delivering high The key priorities for the Early Years across Moray quality services). will be identified in this strategy, and ensure we are all working towards the same goals to improve outcomes To support the delivery of the Early Years for our youngest children. Framework, the Scottish Government launched the world’s first multi-agency collaborative called The Key outcomes from Moray 2023 which we are ‘The Early Years Collaborative6’ in 2012. This focussing on in this strategy are: brought members of all 32 community planning partners together in , to plan exactly how 1. We want Moray to be a place where children have we as a nation would become the best place in the a home, feel secure, healthy and nurtured. world to grow up and ‘to ensure all children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed.’ 2. We want Moray to be a place where children and (Scottish Government, 2012) The Key Change young people thrive. areas for the Early Years Collaborative are 3. We want Moray to be a place where children are • Early Support in Pregnancy and Beyond able to reach their full potential. • Attachment, Child Development and Learning 6 For more information see: • Continuity of Care in Transitions Between Services 4. We want Moray to be a place where children have • www.earlyyearscollaborative.co.uk • 27-30 Month Child Health Review a voice, have opportunities, learn and can get • Family Engagement & Developing Parenting Skills around. 7 For more information see: • Addressing Child Poverty • www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file59912.pdf • Play • Health & Wellbeing 8 For more information see • www.moray.gov.uk/.../Item%208%20-%20 Attached%20Report.pdf

6 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 7 What have we got now in Moray?

In Moray we have some very good services and support for children 0-8 years and their families9

BUT

Our consultation10 so far has shown key areas of development which we need to focus on throughout this strategy:

These are:

People have said there is lots of good work happening across the early years services. However, finding out what is available can sometimes be difficult.

We need to be better at communicating with people so each individual knows where to find the right support at the right time.

Our workforce requires further training in key areas of child development, to ensure all of our children receive a high quality and consistent level of care.

We need to communicate better between services and focus on the importance of good quality relationships between one another7

9 More information about services available and the Moray context is available in Appendix B

10 See Appendix C for full details of the Consultations

8 || Early Years Strategy 2023 The Moray Early Years Strategy

Our vision is that Moray is the best place in Scotland to grow up. We will know we have achieved this vision when Moray is:

• Outcome 1

A place where they have a home, feel secure, healthy and nurtured

• Outcome 2

A place where children and young people thrive:

• Outcome 3

A place where they are able to reach their full potential.

• Outcome 4

A place where they have a voice, have opportunities, learn and can get around

8 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 9 What does that mean for Moray?

Outcome 1: Outcome 2: Outcome 3: We want Moray to be a place where children have a We want Moray to be a place where children and We want Moray to be a place where children are able home, feel secure, healthy and nurtured. young people thrive: to reach their full potential.

To achieve this our aim is that we: To achieve this, our aim is that: To achieve this our aim is that:

• Continue to provide the Before Words Programme • Uptake of the 27-30 month review is increased by • All parents will know about the Named Person and the From the Beginning resource (delivered 15% Service and evaluated at ante-natal screening stage) • Universal delivery of the Play@Home programme • There will be a seamless handover between the • Deliver the Antenatal Education Programme for • Universal delivery of baby massage Named person in Health to the Named person in Parents • Universal delivery of the PEEP programme Education • Provide a Named Person Service for every child in • Universal delivery of the Bookbug gifting programme • Any support identified at the 27-30 month review is Moray (his will be a child’s health visitor at birth) and access to Bookbug Sessions in Libraries acted on at the earliest stage • Highlight the importance of bonding – 30 minutes throughout Moray. • Where longer term support is required by more than following birth • We will target support for families using Bookbug one service there will be one Team Around the Child • Implement the 24 hour bundle (positive interventions session principles (Assertive Outreach Programme) and One Child’s Plan during the first 24 hours after birth) • Roll out the Family Nurse Partnership13 • The Child Health Surveillance Programme14 is fully • Work in partnership with MADP to provide a • All early years practitioners receive attachment implemented dedicated social worker and family support workers training and high quality child development training • Parents use the opportunities given by automatic to support parents experiencing drug and alcohol (eg. Building the Ambition) library membership for each child whose birth is misuse • To make sure all parents are aware of the support registered in Moray • Grow and sustain interventions to support a healthy available to them and that it is available at the right • To ensure that all early years practitioners use the active lifestyle eg. Grow Well Choices, Active Start11, time National Practice model to ensure early identification Confidence to Cook • To ensure our young people are prepared for being of children who require support with any one of the 15 • Create a digital version of the Red Book and Digital parents wellbeing indicators . E-Postcards12 11 More information about projects and interventions 14 More information about the Child Health are in the Delivery Plan in Appendix D Surveillance Programme can be found here

12 More information about projects and interventions 15 More information about projects and interventions are in the Delivery Plan in Appendix D are in the Delivery Plan in Appendix D

13 More information about projects and interventions are in the Delivery Plan in Appendix D

10 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Outcome 4: We want Moray to be a place where children have a voice, have opportunities, learn and can get around.

To achieve this our aim is that we: We will know we are working towards achieving this if, by 2023: • Work in partnership with colleagues involved with Raising Attainment For All 5. 85% of women experience positive pregnancies • Ensure parents have access to Triple P parenting which result in the birth of more healthy babies programme • Ensure parents engage with their children in 6. 90% of all children have reached all of the unstructured play opportunities expected developmental milestones by the 27 to • Make sure children in P1-4 experience a high quality 30 month review education which is underpinned by the principles and values of the GIRFEC approach and Curriculum 7. 90% of children will have reached all of the for Excellence Programme expected developmental milestones by the time the • Ensure that all early years practitioners receive child starts primary school Attachment training and high quality child development training to support early identification 8. 90% of children will have reached all of the of children who may not be meeting their expected developmental milestones by the end of 16 developmental milestones primary 4

9. The number of children 0-7yrs referred to the Children’s Reporter (on Care & Protection grounds) is reduced from 38.9% in 2011/12 to 24.2% in 2023/24

16 More information about projects and interventions are in the Delivery Plan in Appendix D

10 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 11 Moray Early Years Strategy Appendices

Appendix A. Community Planning Partners / How the Early Years Strategy fits in with other strategies and plans

Appendix B. Early Years in Moray Context and the services we have now

Appendix C. What people have said about the support and services available in Moray

Appendix D. Moray Early Years Strategy delivery Plan

Appendix E. Who was involved in writing this strategy

Appendix F. National documents and information which underpin this strategy

12 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Parenting Curriculum Appendix A Strategy for Excellence

Early Years CYPIS Collaborative Plan 2016 Early Years 2012 Literacy Information Health for Action Pathway all Plan Mental Children Health (HALL 4) Strategy

Early Years Child Framework Health Children 2020 Act (Scotland)

Play Strategy for Scotland

National Initiatives

Local Initiatives Early Years Strategy

Domestic Abuse Strategic Framework

Sports & Physical Child Activities Protection Strategy Communication Strategy Community Youth Safety Justice C&YP Strategy Strategy Integrated CPP Services Prevention Plan Plan

Moray 2023 MADP Strategy

12 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 13 Appendix B

25% of Primary 1 Moray Early Years In Context school children in 2014 Mid Year population estimates – Moray Moray are at risk of overweight and obesity Age 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0-8 combined by CHP, Male 480 518 472 551 530 560 603 561 546 4,821 Female 468 464 483 481 491 545 561 526 474 4,493 Scotland, school Year Total 948 982 955 1,032 1,021 1,105 1,164 1,087 1,020 9,314 2013/14. Health & Wellbeing Community Profile – Health Improvement

Economy Income and Benefits Percentage of children in poverty (after housing costs) Percentage of population who are income deprived (2011) A report published by End Child Poverty in October 2014 provides estimates of Child Poverty at Local Authority level. The rate for Moray is 11.39% Before Housing Costs (BHC) and 18.23% After Housing Costs (AHC).

Range of Scottish Results Range of Scottish Results

Scottish Average 13% Scottish Average 21%

Moray 10% Moray 18%

0510 15 20 25 0510 15 20 25 30 35

14 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Moray Average, 48.7% Breastfeeding Scottish Average, 36.8%

New Elgin West

The information below is drawn from our area profiles South Speyside and the Cabrach of Moray and gives an indication of some of the Central East and Seaward challenges facing some of our communities. Elgin Bishopmill West and Newfield

Economy, Income and Benefits Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry

Lossiemouth East and Seatown Moray has lower proportion of residents living in income deprivation compared to the rest of Scotland Burghead, Roseisle and Laich with 10% of Moray residents being classed as income Fochabers, Aultmore, Clochan and Ordiquish deprived compared to 13% nationally. Within each of Moray’s 24 datazones there is a wide range of Findhorn, Kinloss and Pluscarden Valley

inequalities from Burghead, Roseisele and Laich Elgin Central West where 5% of residents are income deprived to Central East where 15.4% of residents are classed Rural Keith and Strathisla as income deprived. There is a 10.4% difference Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava between the most and least deprived intermediate geography zone in Moray. Using the smaller datazone New Elgin East level data, 22% of the residents in the New Elgin West Buckie Central East Thornhill are income deprived compared to just 1% in Duffus, Muirton, Salterhill and Covesea. In terms Buckie West and Mains of Buckie of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Moray has a lower Elgin Bishopmill East and Ladyhill claimant rate of JSA for both the 16 to 24 and working Keith and Keith age population bands. No datazone has a significantly higher claimant rate than the Scotland wide figure. The Lhanbryde, Urquhart, Pitgavney and Seaward claimant rate for the 16 to 24 age group is substantially Lossiemouth West higher compared to the whole of the population. Forres South West and Mannachie

Crime Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock

Crime is notably higher in the 20% most income Mosstodloch, Portgordon and Seaward

deprived datazones in Moray. Elgin Cathedral to Ashgrove and Pinefield Prevention Plan – CPP paper – June 2015 North Speyside

01020304050607080 14 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 15 Moray Average, 95.3%

Primary School Attendance rate Scottish Average, 94.8%

New Elgin West

South Speyside and the Cabrach Public Services for Families in Moray Forres Central East and Seaward (pre-birth to 8 years) Elgin Bishopmill West and Newfield • Ante-Natal Classes Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry • Family Nurse Partnership • Baby Massage Groups Lossiemouth East and Seatown • Peep Groups (0-1) Burghead, Roseisle and Laich • Sensory Peep (0-4) Fochabers, Aultmore, Clochan and Ordiquish • Local Authority Nursery Provision for 2-5 year olds (21) Findhorn, Kinloss and Pluscarden Valley • Bookbug Storytime Sessions (0-5 year olds) Elgin Central West • Early Years Education Service • Social Work Family Support Rural Keith and Strathisla • MADAP Support for pregnant women with Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava substance misuse issues • LA Primary Schools New Elgin East • Educational Psychology Buckie Central East • Child Health Services (Nurse, SALT, Physio, OT, Childsmile, Public Health) Buckie West and Mains of Buckie • Family Information Service Elgin Bishopmill East and Ladyhill • Sensory Education Service

Keith and Fife Keith • • Social Work Services Lhanbryde, Urquhart, Pitgavney and Seaward • Library Services Lossiemouth West • Inclusion Team • Autism One Stop Shop Forres South West and Mannachie • Community Police Department Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock • Family Protection Unit • MIDAS (Moray Interagency Developmental Mosstodloch, Portgordon and Seaward Assessment and Support) Elgin Cathedral to Ashgrove and Pinefield • Active Schools

North Speyside

01020304050607080 90 100

16 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Private/Voluntary

• Private Nursery Schools (35) • Childminders (50+) • Parent and Toddler Groups • Bookbug Assertive Outreach Sessions • Private Schools • Earthtime • Action For Children – Supporting Moray Families Service • Step-By-Step – Parent and Toddler groups for vulnerable families • Quarriers – Supporting families with children with additional needs • Cornerstone – Providing respite for families of children with additional needs • Children 1st – Moray Stronger Safer Families • Women’s Aid – Support for families who have experienced domestic abuse • Aberlour Child Care Trust • Moray Group Riding for the Disabled • Childline • North East Sensory Services

(For a comprehensive list please see The Scottish Family Information Service - Moray)

16 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 17 Appendix C We need to: • upskill staff and reach practitioners Consultation Interviews / Sessions • make sure all pre-school children have access to a The Early Years Partnership Officer met with many There are other families who teacher have significant issues due to professionals involved in Early Years services in Moray • make sure staff receive ‘birth- poverty, isolation, and may not be from November 2014 – August 2015. Here are some of to-three’ training attending any groups at all. the comments/findings from these meetings: • quality assure the early years providers The Moray Childcare Partnership held ‘Healthy And There are many families in Buckie Active’ sessions which involved accessing groups for children a multi-agency health input under 8 in Elgin instead of the from allied health professionals groups in Buckie (Speech and Language Therapists / Occupational Therapists / Physiotherapists) and the Speech and Language Therapy service noticed a decrease in referrals as a direct result of these sessions. Concerns need to be raised by Due to the above, children are nurseries earlier starting P1 without having built relationships with their peers in the local area, and have accessed activities which have been highly structured and not child-led, which is causing behaviour difficulties in some schools.

18 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Headteacher’s Consultation Support for parents : on 5th February 2015 • parenting classes (behaviour management Question: If you had a magic wand, what would you strategies) change about the Early Years in Moray? • Healthy cooking classes • Social networks/groups • After School facilities and breakfast clubs • Having a child with significant ASN – would have • Work place discounted childcare to help people liked a support group to meet and share worries/ back into work concerns at early stage with other parents, also • Breakfast club social as can be isolating • More access to libraries for the enjoyment of books • Clear and fair criteria for allocating nursery places – • “Surestart” type parenting classes. I’m always struck ASN does not figure and is not prioritised by the balance between ante-natal provision and the • Improved links between partnership providers and a lack of systematic parenting education post-natal school • Wider support for EAL, families, groups etc can be • Ensure there is accurate information passed from isolated early years centres to other centres and schools – • Outdoor nurseries also from health visitors to Education • Children who can come into nursery able to clean • Transition information between health visitor/pre- their teeth, and look after toileting needs, starting to school and for P1 to enable early intervention demonstrate positive social skills eg sitting to enjoy • Funded/ supported developmental playgroups snack • List of groups/ more soft play facilities/ multi-sensory • Access to quality play environments and teachers in stuff nursery • Suitable facilities/ soft play/ play areas in the local • Access to quality outdoor play area which are accessible for all! • Like to have suitable parent workshops on play/ • Appropriate facilities accessible to all within their nurture/outdoor activities available/ opportunities for local areas parents to meet and network eg Parent room • School readiness guidance • Information about groups and facilities • Support for after-school childcare in rural areas • Directory of facilities at GP surgeries/ libraries/ (which pick up from schools) groups/ story sessions • Joined up thinking and working with primary sector • Clear understanding of individual needs before coming into nursery/ good communication about this

18 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 19 Results of the Consultation morning. To get the bus there from Kinloss, which supportive environments. A lot of groups available for the PSP Project is approx. 4 miles away, costs £3.60 for an adult for 0-5 children are accessed by mothers, with a return, and the bus service only runs every 2 hours, small number of dads. There were a number of Evaluation Report – PSP – Lydia Simpson – January 2015 the cost of the session is £2.00 per family. A cost replies suggesting there should be groups targeted Through consultation with the public and professionals of £5.60 for one activity. Some activities charge per towards Dads to help play and bond with their several issues have arisen in local areas. More work child, so this creates more cost if a family has more children. During discussions many parents said they would need to be completed to fully understand be than one child younger than 5. would more activities linked to the outdoors such able to implement change. as den building, and using the woods etc, it was felt • Over 40 different types of groups/activities were this could be a good way to engage fathers or other • Public transport that is costly and time consuming as identified by parents in the Questionnaire. Some male carers. many journeys take too long. The provision focuses localities have several choices for parents to attend on transporting users to and from the central town groups that suit their needs and availability. Other • Some families have asked for more activities at with the majority of specialised services, Elgin. For areas have very little available. For example, weekends. More research will need to be done to some rural villages the services don’t run every Tomintoul has a toddler group in the village on a see what the need is and where, as other families day, for example, there is only one bus a week Monday morning during term-time, there is also saw this time as protected family time together. from Tomintoul to Elgin. Other services only run to a play crèche that visits every Monday afternoon transport children to and from school so these are during term time, and a Bookbug session on a • A lot of the groups that are volunteer led only run not available during the holidays. Wednesday morning in the Library. There are no during term time. Some parents asked why play other pre-school activities available for the village or schemes no longer ran or asked for different sorts of • Lack of awareness of what is available in local the surrounding area for the rest of the week, or any activities to run during the holidays, not just sports. areas as there is no central hub for people to find service at all during the holidays that were reported out information. Community Centres and Libraries in the consultation. 8 respondents said they did not • Some age specific activities or groups meant that tend to have short part time hours to minimise costs. have access to any resources, groups or activities. some children weren’t able to utilise the service(s) The Halls are only open when groups are using the and were excluded as too young or too old. This facility and the school buildings are only open during • A lot of people mentioned the Libraries and meant one child could not attend unless the parent school hours during term time. There is an online Bookbug. These sessions got positive feedback had childcare for their siblings. This also affected service MORINFO, but this was not mentioned by from those that attended. Others suggested that the parents of multiples, as they were not able to any potential service users, and may need updating afternoon sessions could be timed better, as the take both children to some activities such as baby as resources can change quickly in local areas. sessions ended as schools finished so if parents massage or infant swimming sessions without had school age children as well as pre-school they another adult being present. • A lot of the groups and services that do run incur a were unable to attend. Some parents also asked charge to cover the costs of the groups. If parents for more weekend sessions of this as they worked • There are possible local funding streams for are to take their child or children to activities every during the week. particular areas, such as Tomintoul, with the Crown day this can be very expensive. For example, there Estate and Cairngorms National Park both providing is an active tots session in Findhorn on a Friday • More groups or activities to engage fathers in opportunities to apply for grants, however, there 20 || Early Years Strategy 2023 would appear to be little cohesion between the take into consideration hiring of Halls, cost of travel, different local groups so opportunities are missed. recruitment of volunteers and use of paid staff time. Another example would be a Community Council already in existence in the Keith area, whilst some • Some parents also mentioned childcare. Several parents are setting up a local Parent Council, there requested that childcare could be more flexible and may be a need for both, but they would need to work have more availability during holidays. together to ensure there wasn’t duplication of efforts. • Some parents also mentioned the lack of support • Volunteers that led groups seemed unaware that they felt for parenting children with additional there is a Community Training Calendar which learning needs. This was also discussed with provides training of varying aspects to anyone in some professionals about best to provide some the Moray area. Some individuals had expressed out of school activities that suited family need. This a reluctance to start a group or be involved as they discussion was mainly around children who had weren’t sure who to contact or what they would lower level needs but parents were conscious that need to do. There is an opportunity to help train they may not cope in mainstream activities without and support individuals who organise groups to support or that groups already available were not help them feel more confident in their ability to suitable. There was discussion whether sessions lead sessions and to ensure that issues such as should give parents an opportunity to have child- safeguarding are managed appropriately. Some free time, or whether families could participate as group leaders may be the only Community contact a group. More work would need to be carried out some families have, for example, one individual runs to see what support parents felt they needed and the Tots Group in Dufftown and also volunteers to do whether this support could be met in a group setting. story time in Library. There are few other pre-school groups in the village, there are some in Craigellachie • The critical aspect of the service planning and and Aberlour, but not everyone can travel easily. delivery of services in Moray is to ensure that this This individual may be the only adult out with the is locality led to ensure best fit with local need. Our family that a child has contact with, yet she currently focus in the PSP is to clarify need utilising the public has no support on how to manage any concerns. consultation as a benchmark for planning now and in the future. This will mitigate against duplication • When speaking to different voluntary organisations of services and create a culture that this truly co- and finding out about their different projects it production in design. The benefit of this approach was apparent that there was some positive work means that by minimising risk of duplication, being done with families across the Region. additional resources will be created and can be used Some organisations were unable to expand their to fill gaps in delivery elsewhere. services due to limits on funding, groups had to 20 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 21 Replies to evaluation questions • Willingness to support families in a collaborative/ • How do we ensure equity for children when parents at the Early Years Conference 2015 partnership way; need to rethink where we’ve come do not have the skills to access services such as from, what’s been achieved and stop to think which SALT that are essential to the child. How do we What do you feel we do well in Moray for children aged direction and with whom we need to go; stop what support these families and children better. 0-8 and their families: doesn’t work, need courage • Work together and share information • Provision of pre-school centres; transition • Equalising provision; providing better choices • Support parents and children with significant documents; early years language support • Having more local, accessible activities, facilities language delay for children and their families (Issues of transport) • Great start and ideas; include parents as much as What do you think we should be doing in Moray for eg soft play areas, outdoor learning, social skills possible; communication within agencies; provide children aged 0-8 and their families: development services and assistance where possible for children • Help those who don’t fell able or committed to and their parents • Early intervention / prevention / nurture groups engage • Good communication with parents • Communication between schools/nurses/agencies • Transition from nursery to P1; info for parents re • Lots of things are done well but lots of things could and parents could do better education and other agencies for parents be better • Speed up processes; too much information staying • Ensure that all professionals engage in a positive • Most early years setting are very good within Moray at top and not getting to workers to share manner and way for the pupils in our care. Find • Wide range of services • More joined up referral systems; quick identification time for practitioners to implement the proposals of • Peep groups; nursery to P1 transition groups; pre- of developmental delays in under 3s making Moray the best place to grow up! school groups • My feeling is that it is hard for people to find out • Improve standard of childcare; improve adults ability • Multi-agency working what is available to support children and parents to parent and enjoy their children • Antenatal care locally • We know how important reading is and we promote • Provide increasingly joined up thinking and services • Named person Health visitors – really? We need Bookbug – so lets use our libraries more, rather than • Provide quality early years and education more health visitors to make this meaningful close them • Library services (free) and activities • Partnership working • Review processes to reduce bureaucratic systems • Pre-school/transition/reporting/provision of • More transition groups; parenting groups – mums which can prevent/slow up access to actual workers; outcomes and experiences/care and support for and dads co-located teams; joint ‘virtual family centres’; better vulnerable families • More early intervention understanding of GIRFEC and LIAP; professionals, • Lots of opportunity to be involved in things • Local pre-school community provision eg parent and agencies, children/YP, parent carers; wellbeing • Transition from nursery to P1 – ‘tea and tots’ tods and involvement of kitten; services are 9-5 so groups for parents; nurture groups for parents; target dads to develop groups; etc etc • Deliver good practice and service in pockets, both fathers wait attend, need to be more flexible within establishments and Moray. Share practice in • More communication; raising awareness of the • Breakfast and after school clubs which would allow a more practical manner. Time! good work which goes in to supporting families at all parents to work if that’s what they want • Lots of groups in communities providing support to levels families/activities to do • 0-3 – identifying and sharing information between • Free active nursery provision for pre-schoolers agencies 22 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Appendix D

Moray Early Years Strategy 2023 Delivery Plan (example page)

Outcome 1 Action Short term Medium Term Long Term Responsible (2016-2017) (2017-2020) (2020-2023) Person

1. To provide the Before Words Programme and From The beginning Resource

2. To develop the Ante-natal Education Programme for parents

3. Provide a Named Person Service for every child in Moray (health visitor from birth

4. To implement the 24 hour bundle (positive interventions during the first 24 hours after birth)

5. To work in partnership with MADP to provide a dedicated Social Worker and Family Support Workers to support parents experiencing drug and alcohol misuse

6. Interventions to support a healthy lifestyle eg Buggy Walks

7. Create a digital version of the ‘Red Book’ given to all parents once babies are born Example

22 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 23 Appendix E

Who was involved in writing this strategy

Over 30 individual interviews were carried out with professionals across Moray to allow people to give their views on:

• What services we have in Moray for children 0-8 and their families • What services we need • What we are good at • What we need to be better at • What services and support should look like in 8 years’ time (the year 2023)

In addition, 80 professionals attended the Early Years Conference and as part of their evaluation they contributed towards the strategy.

All head teachers in Moray were asked what they would like to see in Early Years in Moray ‘if they had a magic wand’.

Fifty-two Parents from Step-by-Step and Peep groups in Elgin, Lossiemouth and Forres provided information about how they had found out about activities/groups and if there were any groups they needed which weren’t available.

Further consultation took place in September 2015, when the draft strategy was widely distributed across Moray, with parents and professionals contributing their views of the draft document.

24 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Your Notes

24 || Early Years Strategy 2023 Early Years Strategy 2023 || 25 Designed and Produced by the Moray Council, Corporate Policy Unit. D-01065

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