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

マンチェスターは、その革新と多様性で知られる都市ですが、幼児教育においても「平等」と「早期支援」を重視した先進的な取り組みを展開しています。「初期教育基盤ステージ（EYFS）」に準じつつ、「Our Year: Early Years Strategy」を通じ、すべての子どもが生まれた瞬間から豊かな成長機会を持てるよう支援しています。
3歳・4歳の子どもは週15～30時間の無償教育を受けられ、低所得世帯には「シュアスタート・チルドレンズセンター（Sure Start）」によるさらなる支援が行われています。
特に、言語・コミュニケーション能力の早期育成に力を入れており、これらが子どもたちの将来における基盤であるという認識のもと、早期介入が推進されています。
また、特別支援教育（SEND）分野でも包括的な支援体制（Manchester Local Offer）が整えられており、バイリンガル教育や多文化理解も自然な形で取り入れられています。
出自に関わらず、すべての子どもが可能性を広げられる環境づくりを目指すマンチェスターの姿勢は、私たちにとっても非常に示唆に富むものです。

Birmingham, often called the “second city” of the UK, places great importance on accessible and inclusive early childhood education. Following the national “Early Years Foundation Stage” (EYFS) standards ([Reference 1]), Birmingham’s local authority supports a wide range of nurseries, preschools, and childminders to meet diverse family needs.
The city actively promotes programs such as “Brighter Futures” ([Reference 2]), focusing on improving early language acquisition and narrowing attainment gaps among disadvantaged children.
Eligible children aged three and four benefit from 15 to 30 hours of free childcare per week, depending on family circumstances ([Reference 3]). Furthermore, Birmingham invests in training early years educators through initiatives like the “Birmingham Early Years Networks,” promoting continuous professional development and sharing best practices.
Given its highly diverse population, Birmingham’s early education settings emphasize intercultural understanding, special educational needs (SEN) support, and parental engagement.
As a kindergarten director, I view Birmingham’s commitment to educational equality, early intervention, and professional excellence as a model of how cities can ensure that every child, regardless of background, receives the best possible start in life.

References:

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

• [2] Birmingham City Council: Brighter Futures Programme Overview

• [3] Gov.uk: Free Childcare and Early Education Entitlements