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Early Years update
Westmorland and Furness Council
early years banner children playing (cropped)
* Consultation - Healthy Child Programme services [ #link_10 ]
* Early Years Stronger Practice Hub
[ #link_2 ]
* Ofsted updates [ #link_12 ]
* Department for Education updates [ #link_5 ]
* Early Years SENCO Network
[ #link_8 ]
* Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award [ #link_1 ]
* Dates for your diary
[ #link_9 ]
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Consultation - Healthy Child Programme services
Healthy child
*Westmorland and Furness Council launches Healthy Child Programme consultation*
A consultation has been launched by Westmorland and Furness Council on a proposed redesign of their Healthy Child Programme services.
The Healthy Child Programme (HCP) offers every family a range of support, including screening tests, immunisations, developmental reviews, and information and guidance to support parents, children, and young people to grow, develop and thrive.
The council has engaged significantly with families, children, and young people to develop the proposal they are now consulting on.
The Healthy Child Programme aims to build healthy communities for families and children and reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities. It includes a range of activity from universal services for all through to intensive support.
Cllr Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health & Health Integration at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We have the opportunity to think differently about how we deliver our services and utilise all methods of delivery including digital and outreach - building on our communities’ strengths.
“We want our new service to make a real difference and demonstrate the impact on the health and wellbeing of children and families in Westmorland and Furness.
“Please take the time to tell us what you think about our proposals so that we can make sure our new Healthy Child Programme delivers for children, young people and families.”
Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Skills at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We want to make sure we’re providing a consistent service across our council area and can meet the varying levels of need across the 0-19 age range.
Our latest data and feedback tell us the needs of our children, families and diverse communities have changed and we need to ensure our services change with them.”
There are two surveys available as part of the Healthy Child Programme consultation, one for families [
] and one for professionals [
]. Both are available to complete online now.
‘Please do complete the survey using the professionals link and where possible send the other link out to your families to complete.’
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Early Years Stronger Practice Hub
Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Continual Professional Development Opportunities
All CPD sessions are open to all Early Years practitioners in the Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub Local Authorities.
follow link for available CPD
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Ofsted updates
Ofsted and the CQC have published their joint thematic review of Start for Life services which provide support for families in the First 1001 days - Start for Life services helping babies achieve better outcomes, but more to do to support delivery - GOV.UK ( [
]__
Ofsted have updated their health declaration forms [
] for childminders and people who work in childcare or children's social care
Department for Education updates
DoE
Early Years Foundation Stage Government Consultation
Reminder
DoE are seeking your views on proposed changes to safeguarding requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
The consultation closes on 17th June
Please click on link to have your say
Early Years Foundation Stage Government Consultation - Department for Education - Citizen Space [
]
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*Parents on parental leave and those receiving Tax Free Childcare*
*Applications from 12 May - Parents on parental leave and those receiving Tax Free Childcare*
We've put in place changes to the application process to make sure particular groups of parents can get eligibility codes by the time they need them. Please see attached the letter from the Entitlements Team with a full explanation.
We've also set out Q&A for parents on our website here:
* We've changed the 31 day rule, so parents on parental leave or starting new employment will no longer have to wait until 31 days before they return to or start work before they apply for a code.
* We will be again be issuing letters to parents receiving Tax Free Childcare with later reconfirmation windows.
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Changes to the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL)
A new post-September 2024 tab has been added to the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) [
], following the publication of the new Level 3 Early Years Educator (EYE) criteria [
], which is effective from September 2024.
The “Guidance” tab of the EYQL has also be updated with information on what the new tab means. In summary, to count as a full & relevant (F&R) qualification, enabling the holder to count within staff:child ratios at level 3 in early years settings in England:
* Qualifications started *on or after 1 September 2024 and before 1 September 2025* must be listed on _either_ the post-Sept 2014 tab _or_ the post-Sept 2024 tab.
* Qualifications started *on or after 1 September 2025* must be listed on the post-Sept 2024 tab.
_No qualifications have been removed._
Please share this communication with others in your networks who this may affect.
Any questions, please submit a query via the Contact Us form [
], FAO Early Years Qualifications Unit.
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Updated Information Sharing Advice Document May 2024
The Department for Education (DfE) have published a revised information sharing advice document from May 2024. You can access the revised advice document here
This HM Government advice document outlines the importance of sharing information about children, young people and their families in order to safeguard children. It should be read alongside the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
The advice document is non-statutory and replaces the HM Government Information sharing: advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers published in July 2018.
The advice is for:
* all individuals who are directly involved in safeguarding children, including frontline practitioners, managers and senior leaders
* individuals and organisations that work with children, parents, carers and families, in sectors such as social care, education, health, justice and voluntary
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Coming soon: wave 2 of the ‘Do Something BIG’ campaign – upload your vacancies to Find a Job
Wave 2 of the Do Something BIG [
] recruitment campaign starts on 10 June. This multi-million pound campaign promotes early years and childcare careers across multiple advertising channels, highlighting the huge difference early years professionals make to young children and how rewarding working in the sector can be.
It directs potential applicants to use DWP’s Find a Job [
] vacancy platform to search for early years roles in their area. We’d be grateful for your support in ensuring as many early years vacancies as possible are listed on Find a Job ahead of the next wave of the campaign. If you do not already have a Find a Job account, and have any current or upcoming roles in your setting, please watch these video tutorials [
] to help you create an employer account and post your jobs.
*You should use the term ‘early years’ in the title of your job adverts and select ‘Education jobs’ for the job category.* This service is free to use and will ensure your vacancies are seen by a large pool of potential candidates.
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Early Years Practitioner Wellbeing Support
Help for Early Years Providers has a wealth of resources, case studies and toolkits intended to support the health and wellbeing of practitioners in the early years sector. Those working in the early years make a huge difference to young children's lives, and it is crucial settings support and encourage the health and wellbeing of their staff, and practitioners know where they can turn if they need support. This will create a positive learning environment for children, where their personal, social, and emotional development is encouraged. Visit the Help for Early Years Providers early years practitioner wellbeing support page [
] and read our Foundation Years blog post [
] for more information and resources on how to support your own wellbeing, and provide support to those around you.
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Childcare Works
The Childcare Works learning website [
] has lots of useful resources, which are regularly updated, to support Providers in implementing the early years and wraparound childcare. This includes resources to promote the childcare entitlements and support with business planning:
Early Years SENCO Network
SENCO
As part of the Autism Education Trust’s Early Years Professional Development Programme we will be delivering their toileting module at our Early Years SENCO Network in the Summer term. This will include information about introducing and establishing toileting with autistic children. We will share practical tools, templates, top tips, checklists and strategies with you. We will also give you access to three informative packs on toileting which can be shared with parents / carers.
The network clusters will be delivered as follows:
12.06.24
1.30 – 3.30 pm
Castle Street Centre, Castle Street, Kendal
12.06.24
6.00 – 7.00 pm
Online
13.06.24
1.30 – 3.30 pm
Phoenix Business Centre, Phoenix Rd, Barrow
13.06.24
1.30 – 3.30 pm
Cumbria LEP Conference Centre, Redhills, Penrith
If you wish to book onto the cluster, and have not already done so, please contact SLA online at:
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Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award
Level 3 Early Years SENCO award for PVI SENCOs and Childminders
Free SEND CPD – Register your Expression of Interest
Westmorland and Furness Early Years team is pleased to be able to offer a limited number of free places on the accredited NCFE CACHE Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinator’s in Early Years Settings. This programme is for Early Years SENCOs or aspiring SENCOs working in the Private, Voluntary and Independent sector (including childminders) who want to gain a qualification and recognition for their role as an Early Years SENCO.
The training will:
- support SENCo’s to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of SEND legislation
- enable SENCo’s to develop strategies, practices and policy to ensure children with SEND are able to make progress and meet their potential across the EYFS curriculum.
- provide you with a broad range of materials, tools and resources to support you in your SENCo role
- evidence the settings’ commitment to supporting children with SEND.
- provide the SENCO with the confidence, skills and knowledge to effectively lead and coordinate SEND provision for children within their Early Years Setting.
- provide opportunities to develop a network of support with local SENCo’s within the PVI sector including an opportunity to visit their settings to explore their SEN provision
- give you the opportunity to gain an insight into specialist SEND provision throughout the locality.
- meet and develop partnership working with a range of outside agencies, e.g. SALT, Portage, EAL Specialist advisory Teacher, etc.
The training consists of 12 days face to face training in either Barrow or Penrith, plus some independent study. It will take place between October 2024 and April 2025.
For further information or to register an Expression of Interest, please contact: Sue Harrington sue.harrington@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk – 07971446053
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Dates for your diary
diary
*Managers Network Meetings *
Invites have gone out for our next managers meetings
*Online
virtual Mana**ger’s Network meeting* on: Monday 17th June 2024 at 6pm -7pm via teams
*Barrow Managers Network meeting *on: Monday 17th June 2024 at 5:30pm -7:30pm.
Ramsden Robins has kindly offered to host this meeting at their setting:
*Eden Manager’s Network meeting* on: Tuesday 18th June 2024 at 6.15pm -7.45pm.
First Class Kids has kindly offered to host this meeting at their setting Old Post Office, Calthwaite, Penrith, CA11 9QT
*Southlakes Manager’s Network meeting* on: Wednesday 19th June 2024 at 6pm-8.00pm.
Sheona from K&K has kindly offered to host this meeting at their setting: Vicarage Road, Ambleside, LA22 9D
The agenda for the meeting will be as follows:
* Representative from DWP will be attending to discuss supporting staff recruitment
* Introductions – new Early Years and Childcare adviser
* Updates re Funding
* EYFS safeguarding consultation
* Ofsted recommendations
* Tour of the host setting
Most importantly this meeting will give you an opportunity to discuss items as a group or on an individual basis.
Please reply to your invite to book a place
*DSL meeting*
The Early Years Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) network meetings for the summer term will be held on 24th June. Invitations will be sent out soon.
*Invitation to the Kendal Area Early Years Cluster Meeting*
*Date: *Tuesday 25 June 2024
*Venue: *Heron Hill School, Hayfell Avenue, Kendal, LA9 7JH
*Time: *4:00 – 5:30pm
Please can you confirm your attendance by emailing: rachel.ramsbottom@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk by Tuesday 18th June
Please give the name/s of practitioners who will be attending to help us compile the register.
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Pride
*Pride Month 2024 from 1- 30 June *
Pride Month 2024 - Happy Pride from CBBC! - CBBC - BBC [
]
LGBTQ+ book list for children in the early years. | Words for Life [
]
child safety week
*Child Safety week 3-9 June*
This year #ChildSafetyWeek is all about sharing the really practical, simple things we can all do to keep children safe. Download the Child Accident Prevention Trust Parent’s Pack for bite-sized facts and safety tips on the main accident risks to children:
#SafetySorted
*Useful Links*
Child Safety Week 2024:
Free downloadable resources:
Parent’s pack:
*Climate action month 07 June to 05 July*
Settings, schools, families, and communities are being encouraged to get involved. Here are some resources to help you.
The Climate Action Countdown Calendar (letsgozero.org) [
]
Climate Action Countdown Resources - Lets Go Zero [
]
NCFE - Supporting-practitioners-embed-sustainability-early-years [
]
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*British Nutrition Foundation’s Healthy Eating Week, 10-14 June 2024*
Information and resources around the following themes are now available:
* Get at least 5 A DAY
* Stay hydrated
* Move more
* Focus on fibre
* Reduce food waste
Find your resources below:
* Early years [
]
* Primary [
]
* Secondary [
]
* Workplaces [
]
*Useful Links*
*Meals with babies and toddlers *
Tiny Happy People - Tips and Advice for Mealtime with babies and toddlers (bbc.co.uk) [
]
Free download from Early Education -"Food to share" recipe booklet a guide for parents.
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*Infant metal health awareness week* *10 – 16 June*- *Speak up for babies*
IMHAW - Parent-Infant Foundation (parentinfantfoundation.org.uk) [
]
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day of Play
*The first ever International day of play is on 11th June 2024 *
*Useful Links*
Free resources from Learning through Landscapes to support outdoor play
Outdoor learning ideas | Learning through Landscapes (ltl.org.uk) [
]
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*Father’s Day* *16th June 2024*
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]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [
].
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].
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