Bolton Start Well

Are you excited to celebrate and develop your inclusive practice?

Wherever you are on your inclusion journey, the Inclusion Quality Mark is for you!

Bolton has been developing an Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark alongside partners. 

The accreditation aims to: 

• Take a low cost/no-cost approach
• Build on practitioners’ knowledge, skills and confidence to support inclusive practice
• Involves no additional paperwork, is based on your current practice 
• Enable parents and carers to share their child’s experiences at your setting  

How this programme works:

• Senior leaders attend an introductory meeting online or face to face when the Inclusion Quality Mark standards are discussed with EY SEND Development panel members. Leaders will have the opportunity to discuss strengths and areas for development (link to standards)
• The setting consider the standards with the accreditors and agree next steps:
  • where practice is strong, areas of focus are decided as a focus for the accreditation day
  • where areas for development are identified, the setting and accreditors codesign an action plan for next steps 
  • where training aspects are identified, plans are agreed to implement this
• During the accreditation day EY SEND Development panel members will attend the setting and conduct learning walks and meet with staff and parent/carers on an agreed schedule.
• Following the accreditation day short verbal feedback is provided and an extensive report and action plan 
• These can be used to form development plans moving forward 
• The accreditation is accessible to PVIs and early years settings within schools.
• Is built around the Inclusion standards of:
  • Whole setting approaches
  • Inclusive Learning
  • Supporting Emotional Health and Wellbeing
  • Participation & Involvement

Please read the Bolton Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark Standards.

The 'Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark’ is fully-funded for settings and schools that meet the eligibility criteria below:

• have a nursery provision in school, or
• are a group provider who delivers the EYFS to funded 2,3,4-year-olds.

Expression of interest:

Please express your interest by completing the online survey: Expression of Interest: Start Well Inclusion Quality Mark

Other information:

For further information, please phone: Suzanne Pendleton on 07385 972 867 or email on Suzanne.Pendleton@bolton.gov.uk