A welcome back message from Samantha Chapman, Early Years and Childcare Service Lead

I know not all of you will have been on holiday over the summer break but it still feels like we are starting a new year as children go back to school and early years providers get going again.

I just want to acknowledge and say thank you to those of our providers who offer all year round early years provision, holiday childcare and to our Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) providers who have enabled many children to have wonderful opportunities and activities over the summer holidays.

We are excited to be back in the full swing of things and there are lots of exciting things on the agenda over the next few months including our early years conference, lots of training and professional development opportunities and our ongoing support to settings and schools.

We are aware of the ongoing challenges that the sector faces and continue to raise your concerns and ask questions of the Department for Education, Ofsted and Devon County Council to ensure that early education and childcare is at the heart of every decision.

Don’t forget we are here to help and support – if you need any help please check out our website, our contact details are on there too if you want to speak to someone and we will always find the right person to help if you are not sure. I am also very pleased when people contact me and my email is always open – samantha.chapman@devon.gov.uk

Finally I want to wish everyone a great Autumn term and thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to the early education and childcare in Devon.

Best wishes,

Sam