Plans to improve Staffordshire children’s development in early years have been laid out.
Staffordshire County Council’s ‘Best Start’ policy brings together early years education, childcare and family support services, with a focus on the crucial period from pregnancy to age five.
Tied in with a Government initiative the project will see ‘Best Start’ centres opened initially in existing family hubs in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cannock and East Staffordshire, with more to follow across the county.
Nick Lakin, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
If a child’s development falls behind in their early years, it can affect the rest of their life.
That’s why it’s essential we give our children the best possible start before they start school.
Staffordshire is already performing above the national average in this regard, but there is always more to do, and this is a step in the right direction.”
In 2025, 70.6 per cent of children in the county reached a ‘good’ level of development by the end of the reception school year, compared to a national average of 68.3 per cent.
However, the ratio of children eligible for free school meals reaching a ‘good’ level of development was 50.2 per cent, compared to 51.5 per cent nationally.
Development criteria for children at the end of their year in Reception class, include:
- being able to communicate their needs and experiences, and be able to follow simple instructions;
- being able to go to the toilet;
- being able to play with others and start to understand their own feelings;
- physical development to run, play, jump and climb;
- having healthy routines, such as limited screen time, brushing teeth regularly and a regular bed time.
Nick Lakin said:
The council’s approach is built around three main priorities.
The first is better support for families, with high‑quality services for parents, babies and young children.
The second is making early education and childcare more accessible and affordable, including supporting more eligible working parents to take up funded childcare places.
And the third is improving quality in early years settings by strengthening training, support and professional development for the workforce.”
