A NURSERY school in Bradford has become the lead for the Government’s early years Covid-19 recovery programme in Yorkshire.

St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children's Centre in Bradford has been appointed as the first Stronger Practice Hub for the region by the Department for Education.

The Stronger Practice Hubs programme is part of the Department for Education’s Early Years Education Covid-19 Recovery Package.

It will see St Edmund’s supporting other early years providers to improve outcomes for children in their local area across the early years foundation stage, specifically focusing on areas of development that research indicates have been most impacted by Covid-19.

Stronger Practice Hubs are made up of a lead group-based setting and up to four additional partners.

St Edmund's Nursery School will lead the Stronger Practice Hub working with Children's Place Day Nurseries, Co-op Academy Delius, Dixons Allerton Academy, and childminder Belinda O'Hare to support early years provision across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Christian Bunting, director at Bradford Birth to 19 in St Edmund's Nursery School, added: "We are very happy that our partnership got this vote of confidence from the Department for Education.

“It is great news for Bradford, West Yorkshire and the region. We look forward to supporting the early years sector, as they continue in their recovery from the impacts of the pandemic so our youngest children can thrive."

Sian Hudson, headteacher at St Edmund's Nursery School and Children's Centre, said she was excited at being able to share St Edmund's excellence with other providers.

"Achieving this status once again acknowledges the strong, evidence informed, practice delivered by the St Edmund's Nursery School team.

“We are looking forward to sharing our experiences and practice, as well as having the opportunity to learn from others.

“Whichever part of the early years workforce you come from, we all want the best outcomes for the children in our care, and bringing us together is a great way to achieve this."

Childminder Belinda O'Hare added: “I'm delighted to be part of the Stronger Practice Hub. It is a fantastic opportunity for childminders to be involved and make a difference in the Early Years.”

Debbie Burke, director of Children's Place Day Nurseries, said: “Children's Place are absolutely thrilled to be involved in the Stronger Practice Hub.

“Young children are our future and the Stronger Practice Hub will play a key role in giving children early years experiences that last a lifetime.”

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