Post by Dr June O'Sullivan OBE

Last year we commissioned Sara Bonetti and Ivana La Valle to evaluate a two-year initiative we have developed London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) with funding from the @WestminsterFoundation. Known as the Bridge Project this initiative across four nurseries is examining how we support 12 children aged 3 to 4 with SEND by providing 30 hours, examining skills and practices LEYF teachers/educators use to effectively support  the children and their families, offering a support educator, a nutritious lunch and an exploration of how we are bridging the learning between nursery and  home. The intention is to share the completed research across the sector like we have with all our reports so we can improve practice. But our interim findings are too important not to share because they challenge 2 current government policies; 1. the importance that all children, not just children from working parents, can access 30 hours and 2. the significance of children having a nutritious hot meal by not making it the subject of a voluntary contribution. Finally, it also highlights the need to challenge the increasing number of schools taking children with SEND who have been attending nursery for at least 15 hours a week and almost immediately reducing their hours to 1 or 2 a day on the grounds of their needs, much to the horror of their distressed parents, who bring them back to nursery. What we are finding requires us to systematically address those 3 policy points because #30hours with a nutritious #hotmeal is bringing clear benefits to our children’s language, confidence, independence, and social relationships.Full-day, daily #attendance has helped children settle, build routines, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. Attendance improved massively. Some children have progressed to the point that additional language support was removed from their SEND plans. Tailored, one-to-one interactions were credited as key in identifying and building a growing sense of agency—asking questions, joining in activities, and initiating play with others.Children with autism or language delays were observed to form friendships, join group activities, and participate more in the nursery’s social life. Staff had more time to pay attention to the children fully and not have to try and cram everything into 15 hours. They slowed down and the children benefitted. A most noticeable health benefit was improved eating habits with daily access to a hot, nutritious meal making a significant difference for some families and parents noting their children were trying and eating foods at nursery they would refuse at home, chewing their food, reduced process foods and fads and improving mealtime behaviour and supporting social development. Just think how much this saves the #NHS bills. Early intervention at its best. @EdCoalition Alexandra Rose Charity Impact on Urban Health Myles Bremner Munira Wilson Early Education and Childcare Coalition