Attendance Matters in the Early Years Angela Elliott and Belinda Cone

Looking back Guest speaker on School attendance at the Lead Practitioners meeting Autumn 2014 Southampton Primary and Secondary school absence was above national average Out of 152 Local Authorities, Southampton was ranked 126th for poor attendance in primary education As a result ………. An action plan was developed ‘The Southampton School Attendance Plan’ Lead practitioners meeting, guest speaker attendance team discussed issues around school attendance

The Southampton School Attendance Plan Aims included :- Develop a shared purpose and vision that is communicated city wide, to improve attendance and raise attainment. Ensure parents and carers are supported in issues related to their child’s attendance and the impact on their learning/attainment. To ensure support is focused on early identification and intervention. So

Gathering evidence of Early Years attendance Lead Practitioners meeting Autumn 2014 ~ Discussion around attendance levels in early years Attendance questionnaire Spring 2015 ~ 95 questionnaires sent out with 41 returned Thank you for your help 

What the evidence tells us… Lead practitioners meeting General opinion was that poor attendance was not a particular issue. Where attendance had been identified as an issue good practice was often in place to support families. Questionnaires The majority of settings have dealt with attendance issues. The 3 main themes concerning poor attendance were illness, social implications and family holidays. No evidence to suggest that attendance is an issue in specific areas of the city. 3/41 replies said that they never had attendance issues.

As a result A report was written Top tips in supporting good attendance in the Early Years A poster for parents

Top tips to support good attendance in the Early Years Information for, and expectations of parents and carers Promote and support positive attendance Attendance monitoring – know your most vulnerable children Rigorous monitoring is the responsibility of the whole team Attendance policy and procedure Seeking assistance / multi agency working Sudden withdrawal of a child

Attendance in Early Years is important because…. It improves outcomes for children It fosters healthy habits for future attendance It helps children settle and form good relationships It helps to develop positive self esteem Under achievement is often linked to poor attendance Early identification of more serious concerns

Early Years Inspection Handbook August 2015 ‘Although attendance at the setting is not mandatory, providers should be alert to patterns of absence that may indicate wider safeguarding concerns. Inspectors will explore how well providers work with parents to promote children’s good attendance, especially the attendance of children for whom the provider receives the early years pupil premium’ Pg41, bullet point 160