Starting Strong: what to expect from your early years setting
We want all children in Kent to have the best possible start in life.
Whether your child attends a childminder, nursery, preschool or school, they should feel welcomed, included and supported to learn and develop. We know every child is unique, and getting the right support at the right time can make a big difference.
Most children can have their needs met in their local early years setting. To help make this happen, all early years providers are expected to offer high-quality, inclusive support for every child and follow the Starting Strong guide. We sometimes call this the Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP).
Guide for families
To help families understand what support should be available, we've created A Guide for My Family (PDF, 2.0 MB). It explains the everyday approaches, experiences and support that children should receive in early years settings across Kent.
The guide is designed to help you:
- understand how your child should be supported
- know what inclusive practice looks like in an early years setting
- feel more confident discussing your child's needs with their provider
- understand how settings help children learn, develop and prepare for their next stage of education
Our aim is for every child to:
- enjoy positive learning experiences
- develop skills and confidence through play and everyday activities
- build strong foundations for learning and life
- be supported to reach their potential
Every child, family and early years setting is different. While providers may offer support in different ways, children across Kent should be able to access consistent, high-quality inclusive practice that helps them thrive.
See how an early years setting can support your child with special educational needs.
For professionals
If you are a professional, read our The Starting Strong guidance on the KELSI website.