People are being encouraged to have their say about a new Early Years Strategy for Wolverhampton.

The City of Wolverhampton Council is encouraging professionals, parents and other stakeholders to help shape the strategy, which will guide provision for children from birth to school age.

It seeks to further improve outcomes for young children in the city with a strong focus on accelerating children's learning within Early Years settings and building upon the Good and Outstanding-rated provision that already exists within the sector.

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We know how important it is for children to be happy and confident, secure and safe, and able to achieve their full potential. 

"We want to ensure that all children living in Wolverhampton have an equal chance to have a really good start in life, including supporting them to have a good level of development when they start school.

"Early Years services have an important role to play in ensuring this is the case, especially for those children of families who need support the most. We believe this new strategy will help the council and its partners achieve our objectives."

People can have their say on the strategy (available on the download section of this page) by completing a short survey available at Type=links;Linkid=7850;Title=Early Years Strategy Consultation;Target=_blank;, or by attending one of 4 public meetings taking place early next year.

These include Barnhurst Strengthening Families Hub, Grangefield Close, Pendeford, on Monday 23 January, Children's Village Strengthening Families Hub, Graiseley Lane, Wednesfield, on Wednesday 25 January, Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub, Pool Street, on Wednesday 1 February, and finally the Market office at Bilston Market on Thursday 2 February. All sessions take place from 4.30pm to 6pm.

The consultation continues until Tuesday 28 February, 2017.

  • released: Thursday 15 December, 2016