On 10 December 2008, The Early Years Framework was launched, signifying the Scottish Government and CoSLA's commitment to the earliest years of life being crucial to a child's development. It is increasingly evident that inequalities in health, education and employment opportunities are passed from one generation to another. The framework signals local and national government's joint commitment to break this cycle through prevention and early intervention and give every child in Scotland the best start in life.
The development of the framework followed the publication of a joint policy statement between the Scottish Government and COSLA on early years and early intervention on 18 March 2008, where the work on developing the framework was articulated as a list of tasks set in a context of early intervention. These tasks were taken forward by 4 task groups, each focusing on one of the themes of the framework: building parenting and family capacity; creating communities that provide a supportive environment for children and families; delivering integrated services that meet the needs of children and families; and developing a suitable workforce to support the framework.
The framework covers the interests of children pre-conception to the age of 8 years and will have a 10 year horizon - acting as an important milestone in the ongoing partnership between the Scottish Government and CoSLA.
Priorities for Action
The Early Years Framework sets out a list of priorities for action that need to be taken forward in partnership over the next 10 years - some short term, some medium term and some long term. One of the first actions that is being taken is to promote the uptake of childcare vouchers across Scotland with employers and employees in the public sector, private sector and the voluntary sector. Childcare Vouchers: a win-win for employers and employees explains what this means in more detail.
