Learning and Development

Bolton Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM)

Bolton Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark, an accreditation to promote and celebrate inclusive practice in Bolton.

Are you excited to celebrate your inclusive practice? Is inclusive practice a strength of your setting? If so, the Bolton Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark is for you!

Are you keen to develop your inclusive practice? If so, using the Inclusion Quality Mark Standards with the support of Start Well advisers, could be your next step.

Bolton has developed an Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark alongside partners.

The accreditation aims to:

  • Take a low cost/no-cost approach
  • Builds on practitioners’ knowledge, skills and confidence to support inclusive practice
  • Involve 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 where the Inclusion Quality Mark standards are discussed with Start Well Advisers. Leaders will have the opportunity to discuss strengths and areas for development.
    • For settings at an earlier stage of development; Senior Leaders and Start Well Advisers will write an action plan to support the implementation of standards 
    • For settings with strong inclusive practice; areas of focus (up to two) for the accreditation day will be agreed
      • During the accreditation day Start Well Advisers will attend the setting and conduct learning walks, meet with staff and parent or carers on an agreed schedule.
      • Following the accreditation day, short verbal feedback, an extensive report and action plan, will be provided; these can be used to create development plans moving forward.

The accreditation is accessible to Private, Voluntary, and Independent (PVI) settings and School EYFS provision.

Please read the Bolton Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark Standards.

Bolton Early Years Inclusion Quality Mark is built around the standards of:

  • Whole setting approaches
  • Inclusive Learning
  • Supporting Emotional Health and Wellbeing
  • Participation & Involvement

Expression of interest:

To express an interest in joining the programme, please complete this form online: 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