MEMBERS of Northumberland County Council’s Early Years Team will speak at a national conference next week run by Nursery World.

As one of eight councils chosen as early implementers in a 30-hour free childcare pilot scheme, the council’s Eve Sinclair and David Street will report on their approach, funding and experiences since the scheme got under way in September to the ‘Business Summit: A Changing Landscape’ event, alongside a line-up of expert speakers.

The pilot scheme was opened to eligible parents in Northumberland in September 2016.

Key findings identified during the pilot include the need for regular and transparent communication to parents and early years providers; digital solutions has proved key to meeting tight timescales; business support is crucial to the delivery of the scheme and parental demand.