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The Action Plan has been developed by the Council, who have been working in partnership with the wider Children and Families department, NHS Lothian, the private and voluntary sector.

The document sets out why partnership working is the best way forward in developing learning services for children aged between 0 to 8 years.

And the strategy also looks at how to achieve ambition within Early Years over the next ten years using the following recommendations:

? Developing a flexible service to provide learning and childcare for all children and families.

? Develop a highly skilled workforce to deliver a quality Early Years Service.

? Strengthen and develop services to provide support for all children and families.

? Develop learning through play opportunities and active learning.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, City Education Leader, said: "I want this Early Years Action Plan to be a 'road map' which everyone in the sector uses in their drive to achieve excellent practice. There is now recognition that many of society's most challenging problems such as addictions, unemployment, poor skills and a deep seated resentment and unhappiness are developed in the first few years of a child's life. It is vital that we get it right for children at a very young age and I am convinced that this action plan will enable all practitioners to change children's lives for better."