The council was interested in speaking to the children because the entitlement rises from 12.5 hours to 15 hours a week in September. A consultation was developed with the National Children's Bureau's (NCB) early childhood unit.
How did it work? The consultation observed 58 children at 10 nurseries, all were threeand four-year-olds who attend nursery solely through the free entitlement. Staff used puppets to engage children in discussions. Because the children involved only spend a few hours a week at nursery, particular attention was paid to how they form bonds with other children and adults.
What was the result? Lucy Williams, project manager for the NCB early childhood unit's Young Children's Voices Network, says: "One of the main issues to emerge was the importance of lunch time, which they enjoyed but at times were unsure whether they were staying for it. That is how the project got its title, from one of the young people asking that question." This has helped Hertfordshire County Council to look closely at ensuring that the children are more aware of their timetable.
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