DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.14385.1 ISSN: 2633-4402

A Blueprint of an Early Years System to Improve Equity in Children’s School Readiness: A Co-Produced System-Level Model.

J Dickerson, H Henderson, K Durkin, K E Mooney, K Bennett, D Lee, N Javaid, A Tomes, S Claydon, A Qureshi, S Blower, S Ahern
Show PDF Cite
Background The first years of a child’s life (from conception to age 4) are a critical time for health and development – what happens in these earliest years will affect a child’s health, wellbeing, and attainment for the rest of their life. This paper describes the co-production of an early years system blueprint to reduce inequities in these critical early years. Method A series of co-production workshops were completed with stakeholders, practitioners and community participants in the Bradford District of England using the 5-D Cycle method of Appreciative Inquiry. Written notes from the workshops were analysed using the framework method underpinned by the life course approach to the social determinants of health inequities. Results In total, 44 stakeholder and community participants took part in workshop 1, of whom 35 and 30 participated in workshops 2–3, respectively. 30 additional practitioners took part in workshop 3. The vision developed in the workshops was of a Ferris Wheel that provides seamless support to families who board the wheel in pregnancy and disembark at school age. To make the wheel work, four key gears: A system-wide culture shift; Integrated working; Accessible and inclusive services; Empowered and knowledgeable parents/carers; and three levers : A skilled workforce; Early years navigators; Parent/Carer and workforce knowledge, are needed. This paper describes these components and shares a co-produced Theory of Change to support local services across England to design and deliver effective action plans that are equitable, feasible for delivery and acceptable to families. Conclusion We have co-produced a blueprint of an equitable early years system to improve outcomes in the critical early years of development. The outputs have been intentionally designed to be applicable and relevant to services across England, enabling creation of an impactful and feasible delivery plan.

More from our Archive