Best Start in Life - School Based Commission to provide strategic leadership, expertise and co-ordination to strengthen early years practice across the City of York

City of York Council are seeking to commission a school or school‑led partnership to provide strategic leadership, expertise, and coordination that strengthens early years practice across York. This commission sits within the wider Best Start in Life (BSIL) plan and will directly support the city’s ambition that every child experiences connection, support, and belonging from pregnancy to age five.

The commissioned partner will work alongside the local authority, York-based schools, RISE Reception Networks, Stronger Practice Hubs, Family Hubs, early years settings, and neighbourhood teams to improve the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) and reduce inequalities across the city.