1. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org A good start in life - working in partnership with your local children's centre Megan Wilcox Lead EY Consultant Children’s Centres

2. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Can children’s centres offer schools any added value through partnership working?

3. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org A shared sense of belonging for all living in the community… start with a map

4. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org

5. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org On the bus - using community transport to bridge the gaps between schools and children’s centre

6. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org and school feedback… “The children got such a lot out of it. The bus journey provided great excitement for the children and encouraged them to speak freely. The sessions gave the staff quality time with children in small groups.”

7. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Children accessing additional services Tea club is an after school session for a small hand picked group of children from key stage one to develop their social skills outside the classroom environment - a 3 weekly programme offered to local schools. ‘Before my child started Tea Club I was nervous about going into the Children’s Centre it gave me a real reason to come in’ ‘I never realised my child could use a knife so well’

8. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Supporting the CAF process Children’s centre managers ask that schools remember they can be a useful resource as part of the team around the child or family… if they know what’s happening! and they often have independent spaces for meetings!

9. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Raising achievement EYFSP target – all EY settings can help Supporting transitions - inductions and summer camps Speech and language support Adult learning Growing people – volunteers – successful courses in Cheshunt increase parents skills in the classroom

10. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Partnerships as tools to improve outcomes for children – Involving parents - harnessing their unique knowledge of their children Providing regular opportunities, both informal and formal, where information is shared and parental contributions are sought. Learning Journals for all?

11. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org Partners in Self Evaluation Most recently - Children’s centre performance management - sharing someone else’s targets and data! “Lots” is a good outcome? Tracking young children is a difficult task!