Explain How the Range of Early Years Settings Reflect the Scope and Purpose of the Sector

1.1 Explain how the range of early years setting reflects the scope and purpose of the sector

The early years sector in the U.K is complicated, unlike a lot of European countries it was not created by government policy with specific aims, but came about in response to peoples requirements which were based on changing social and economic factors.

In the second half of the twentieth century public spending on early years provisions focused on people with social needs and difficulties. Local authority day nurseries mainly focused on children who were at risk from harm in mainly deprived areas.

There was early years provisions available in the private sector in the form of nannies, private nurseries, and childminders.

During the 1960’s the playgroup movement started, where parents set up and ran groups for their own children to learn through play in village halls and other community facilities.

People’s requirements for their children vary some people want care for their children so they can return to work, some people want to stay and care for their children while socialising, some people want their children in a setting which offer services aimed at learning, and some people want their children in a home based environment, and some people cannot afford to pay the fee for some settings.

This is why the early years sector has various forms of provisions to meet everyone’s needs. These provisions can include – Nurseries, childminders, crèches, parent and child groups, pre-schools, and children’s centres.

The range of key provision:

Setting/Provider | Provision Offered |
Day Nurseries | Provide childcare and early education throughout the day to suit the needs of working parents. Usually open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, closing only during the Christmas period. Nurseries often care for babies and children from 12 weeks to 5 years. There will usually be a separate baby room. Some workplaces set up their own nursery for the children of...