Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of forthcoming procurement activity relating to the Department for Education's Early Years Recovery Programme. The DfE has an upcoming commercial need that will require support from a delivery partner to deliver a new network of Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs in England. The Stronger Practice Hubs will support early years providers and practitioners to adopt evidence-based practice improvements to address key COVID-19 recovery issues and build local networks for sharing effective practice. Building on the Early Years Foundation Stage reforms, the Hubs will be existing, strong early years settings with expertise and knowledge of what works to support child outcomes (and the supporting evidence base). Hubs will also have demonstrable experience of delivering effective practice for the benefit of children. Stronger Practice Hubs are part of the Department for Education's £180 million investment in recovery support in the early years sector. This is designed to build a stronger, more expert workforce, enabling settings to deliver high quality teaching and help address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest children, particularly those in the most disadvantaged areas.