Starting strong
Starting strong - Kent’s guide to ordinarily available provision for early years
Starting strong for early years children in Kent is a guidance document designed to support all early years providers in developing their Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP).
Ordinarily Available Provision refers to the support and resources that mainstream early years providers are expected to offer to all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The starting strong guidance offers a framework for delivering consistent, high-quality universal practice. It is flexible and can be adapted to reflect each provider’s unique culture, context and the needs of the children and families they support.
This guidance is underpinned by key legislation, including:
- The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- The SEND Code of Practice.
It is also shaped by Kent’s SEND Strategy and Countywide Approach to Inclusive Education.
Please find starting strong for Early Years Children in Kent (PDF, 3.1 MB).
Starting strong can be used:
- As a practical tool for planning, reflection and continuous improvement
- To evaluate current provision and identify areas for development
- To support professional development and facilitate team discussions.
For further information or guidance on starting strong, please contact your Early Years Quality Adviser or Childminding Quality and Sufficiency Adviser.
Please find a print-friendly version of section three - inclusion in practice (PDF, 157.3 KB).