Young children, practitioners (all those working directly with young children) and parents have experiences and views to share that can help shape the way in which services are planned and delivered. Early years settings and family environments that have a listening culture enable these experiences and views to inform day-to-day practice; develop the quality and sustainability of settings; enhance local authorities’ ability to respond to community needs; and, ultimately, improve outcomes for children.
There is now a legal requirement to listen to young children under the Childcare Act 2006, (section 3.5) which states that local authorities must have regard to any information about the views of young children which is available and relevant to these duties. Children need to be recognised as ‘partners’ in the planning and commissioning of services. By regularly listening to young children, local partners can respond to children’s needs, identify barriers to learning and development, and ultimately work towards improving services for young children and supporting children to achieve their potential.
All staff directly working with young children, whether in early years, health or social sectors have a vital role to play in listening and responding to the voice of the child. Listening to young children is an integral part of understanding what they are feeling and what it is they need from their early years experience. It is key to providing environments in which all young children feel confident, safe and powerful thus ensuring they have the time and space to express themselves in whatever form suits them.
Early childhood services have a crucial role to play in developing a listening culture which nurtures day to day listening and provides opportunities for young children to make decisions about matters that directly affect them. Local authorities are beginning to use the voice of the child to inform the design, planning and delivery of services, together with the voices of practitioners and parents.
Visit Young Children’s Voices Network (YCVN) which offers support to local authorities and early childhood services.
Let's Listen Launch Event,
April 22nd 2010, London
You are invited to attend the launch of a new self-assessment resource designed to support development of a listening culture in early childhood services.
The celebration will include a presentation on a consultation project with young children about the Free Entitlement - an example of how listening to young children can really make a difference to local and national policy.
Book your place on this event.
