1. ‘What’s Working’ Study Visit to Manchester, 8 th & 9 th October 2012 Early Years Jenny Patterson Manchester International New Arrivals, Travellers & Supplementary Schools Team

2. Aims & Objectives Aims - To increase participation & inclusion of Roma children and families in Early Years provision - To support Roma children to develop skills to enable them to be ‘school ready’ and to reach their educational potential Objectives - To work in partnership with Outreach staff from Children’s Centres to develop their skills and confidence in working with the Roma communities - To organise outreach sessions at accessible venues - To encourage and support Roma families to access the sessions eg through use of Roma Mediators

3. Manchester EYFS Offer Government funding currently not taken up by most Roma families - - 2 Year Olds – 12 hours free for families in some postcode areas, meeting certain criteria ie on Benefits or ‘vulnerable’ - 3 Year Olds – 15 hours free for all families Children’s Centre provide play opportunities, plus also acces to other services eg health checks & vaccinations Low Take-up of School Nursery Classes by Roma Families Some Roma families reluctant for their children to start school at age of 5 Roma children finding it hard to settle when start mainstream school

4. Targetted Provision for Roma Families Children’s Centre not close to where Roma community living Gorton South Children’s Centre began outreach sessions in church used by Roma community Outreach workers needed to develop confidence in working with this new community Partnership then developed with INA/T/SS Team to review how provision could be improved Playbus located in local park for weekly sessions over past 3 years - current negotiations for use of a building in the park, for when the weather is bad

5. Playbus in Crowcroft Park Park well used by Roma community Various events held there, aimed at promoting integration and community cohesion – Roma families supported and encouraged to participate Playbus accessed by whole community, not only Roma – positive impact on community cohesion Average of between 30 & 50 children, 2/3 Roma Average of 8 Roma families

6. Future Developments Need for security re staffing & funding Developing role of Roma Mediators Investigating possibility of work experience placements for Roma school-leavers