Manchester, a city renowned for its dynamic history and innovation, approaches early childhood education with a strong focus on equality and early support. Guided by the “Early Years Foundation Stage” (EYFS) standards ([Reference 1]), Manchester City Council operates programs like “Our Year: Early Years Strategy” ([Reference 2]) to ensure that every child can thrive from the very beginning.
Children aged three and four are entitled to 15 to 30 hours of free early education weekly, and families with lower incomes receive additional support through initiatives like “Sure Start Children’s Centres” ([Reference 3]).
Manchester’s approach emphasizes early intervention, particularly in speech, language, and communication development, recognizing these areas as critical for future success.
There is also a strong commitment to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inclusion, supported by the Manchester Local Offer. Bilingual education and multicultural respect are naturally embedded, reflecting the city’s rich diversity.
As a kindergarten director, I greatly admire Manchester’s proactive investment in early years education, emphasizing that a child’s background must never determine their future opportunities—a philosophy we also strive to embody in our own practices.

References:

• [1] Department for Education (DfE): Early Years Foundation Stage (2024)

• [2] Manchester City Council: “Our Year” Early Years Strategy 2022–2023

• [3] Sure Start Children’s Centres Programme, UK Government