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Early Years update
Westmorland and Furness Council
early years banner children playing (cropped)
* Paediatric First Aid in EYFS [ #link_4 ]
* EYFS Statutory Framework audits
[ #link_15 ]
* Safeguarding updates
[ #link_14 ]
* Ofsted updates
[ #link_12 ]
* New resources to communicate about the childcare support expansion [ #link_1 ]
* Wraparound childcare [ #link_2 ]
* Child Benefits Move Online [ #link_6 ]
* Support our 'Do something BIG' workforce recruitment campaign [ #link_7 ]
* Disability Living Allowance for Children awareness sessions [ #link_9 ]
* EYFS Profile update – for information [ #link_10 ]
* CPD
[ #link_3 ]
* Supporting Children with Sensory Processing Needs in the Early Years [ #link_11 ]
* Start for life website
[ #link_8 ]
* World book day
[ #link_5 ]
* International Womens Day
[ #link_13 ]
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Paediatric First Aid in EYFS
The paediatric first aid (PFA) requirement in the EYFS statutory framework has *not been changed *as part of the updated frameworks which came into force on January 4 2024, but the "language" has been changed to ensure clarity and reinforce that the PFA certificate must be renewed every 3 years for level 2 and level 3 staff who have gained their qualification since 30 June 2016 to be included in the required staff:child ratios.
The EYFS states that: "‘All staff who obtained a level 2 and/or level 3 qualification since 30 June 2016 must obtain a PFA qualification within three months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff:child ratios at level 2 or level 3 in an early years setting. To continue to be included in the ratio requirement the certificate must be renewed every 3 years.'"
Access the EYFS frameworks here. [
]
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EYFS Statutory Framework audits
In line with the revised EYFS statutory framework the Early Years team have updated the formally known "LISEY 3 welfare requirement checklist". These have been rebranded as "EYFS Statutory Framework audit.
These are readily available on the Early Years website or click on the links below for each audit tool.
PVI - EYFS Statutory Framework audit
[
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Childminder - EYFS Statutory Framework audit [
]
Childminder with assistants - EYFS Statutory Framework audit
[
]
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Safeguarding updates
cscp banner
Safer Sleeping Awareness Raising Week 11th -15th March 2024
Safer Sleep Week is The Lullaby Trust’s national awareness campaign targeting anyone looking after a young baby. It aims to raise awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring.
*The theme for this year’s Safer Sleep Week campaign is the safest place. *
Babies’ airways are vulnerable, particularly in the first few months of life, so it is important that parents and carers are aware of this and the actions they can take to protect them.
The CSCP will be supporting Safer Sleep week, this will include a number of 5 Minute briefings a vlog and a lunch and learn session.
The Lunch and Learn session, delivered by Dr Nicola Cleghorn on the ' All Eyes on the Baby' - developing a multi-agency approach to preventing Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) [
] report.
This session will take place on *Tuesday 12th March 2024 at 12:30 - 13:30, *via Microsoft Teams
This session will cover:
* an overview of the report
* what led to the project
* and next steps , regionally and nationally
To book your place, please email CSCP.Training@cumbria.gov.uk with your name, organisation and job role.
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Ofsted updates
Ofsted Handbook
On 19 January 2024, Ofsted published updates to the Early Years inspection handbook. While they have made some changes to their guidance, their inspection methodology remains the same. You can view the updated handbook and summary of changes [
] on gov.uk.
Ofsted have updated their childcare registration exemption guidance [
] to provide clarity about the legal requirements for registration. This will help you understand when you must register, when you cannot register, and when you do not have to but choose to register voluntarily. The updated guidance refers to specific provider types following feedback from the sector.
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Changes to your registration
Ofsted are making it easier for you to tell them about changes in your registration. Ofsted have removed the EY3 (Report changes to registered people in a nursery or other daycare) form to make it easier for providers to notify them of changes.
This will help reduce the administrative burden on early years and childcare providers. If there is a change in your setting, let them know by emailing enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk from the email address connected to your Ofsted registration.
When contacting Ofsted, make sure to include:
• 'Report association changes' as the subject line
• Unique reference number (URN)
• Association's name and date of birth
• Proposed change (if the association is joining or leaving the organisation)
• Date the change(s) take effect
• Role and any changes of the individual(s) We will aim to respond in 5 working days and will let you know if we need any further information.
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Ofsted blog - My priorities for the early years sector
We've published a new blog, with Early Years Alliance [
] and NDNA - National Day Nurseries Association [
].
His Majesty's Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, sets out:
why the early years sector is so important
what he's done in the role so far
what he hopes to achieve
who the key Ofsted early years people are
[
]
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New resources to communicate about the childcare support expansion
childcare choices help with costs
The Childcare Choices campaign [
] raises awareness and understanding of the government childcare support for parents to help them with the costs of childcare and drives them to the website to check the support they might be eligible for.
You can now find an updated toolkit [
] on the Childcare Choices website to help you to communicate with parents about the childcare support expansion starting from April. The toolkit includes key messages about the existing and upcoming childcare support, as well as new digital and ready to print resources such as posters, leaflet, and social media graphics.
The leaflet will also be soon translated into 11 different languages which will also be uploaded on the website. Please use the information and resources in the toolkit in the coming week and beyond to spread the word about the Childcare Choices campaign and the government childcare support.
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Wraparound childcare
In October last year, the government allocated local authorities their share of £289 million to support the expansion of wraparound childcare, [
] so that every parent of a primary school-aged child could access childcare from 8am to 6pm by September 2026 [
].
DfE announced in February that they will be working with four early adopters, Central Bedfordshire, Bi-borough of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, to roll this out 5 months ahead of the national programme launch in September as part of a test and learn phase to strengthen the national rollout. Wraparound guidance for schools and trusts [
] was also published in February, this outlines their role in providing wraparound childcare to children of primary school age.
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Child Benefits Move Online
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced that new parents can now claim Child Benefit online for the first time.
HMRC started accepting fully digital claims for Child Benefit on 10 May 2023 for families with children under 6 months old. Once families have created a Government Gateway account online, they can manage their benefits through the app with no need to call.
For more information, please ask families to see - All grown up - Child Benefit goes digital - GOV.UK ( [
]
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Support our 'Do something BIG' workforce recruitment campaign
do something big
The DfE’s* Do something BIG *workforce recruitment campaign shines a light on the great careers available in the sector. It aims to challenge preconceptions of what it means to work with small children and encourage people to find out how unique and rewarding early years and childcare is.
The campaign website [
] has all the information to help people take steps to start their own early years and childcare career, with job application advice, information on training and qualifications and real life stories of those already working in early years and childcare.
DfE would be grateful for your support in helping to promote the campaign. You can download the communications toolkit [
] which contains information and resources to help you communicate the campaign messages and amplify your own recruitment activity. You can also view and share the TV advert [
]*.*
*If you have any questions, please contact earlyyears.careers@education.gov.uk. *
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Disability Living Allowance for Children awareness sessions
The Disability Services Advocacy Team are here to support with raising awareness of the different Disability Services benefits and grants, and are offering the following sessions on Disability Living Allowance for Children
*Advance dates below as the sessions do get fully booked:*
11th April 2024 1.30pm–3pm Disability Living Allowance Child Upskilling - For External Stakeholders at Online event tickets from TicketSource [
] Password:DWP2024
14th May 2024 1.30pm– Disability Living Allowance Child Upskilling - For External Stakeholders at Online event tickets from TicketSource [
] Password:DWP2024
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EYFS Profile update – for information
The Department for Education’s EYFS Profile communications page [
] on Foundation Years provides teachers with support to complete the EYFS Profile. It is updated regularly throughout the 2023/24 academic year. Each update covers a new area of the EYFS Profile, focusing on topics the sector has asked for more information on.
The most recent update [
] was published on the 20th February. It provides information on completing the EYFS Profile for children who transfer schools.
This page now sits under a new resource [
] on Foundation Years to support practitioners completing all statutory EYFS assessments. The most recent content added to this resource provides information on:
* what assessment means in the EYFS;
* the format for completing the progress check;
* integrated reviews; and
* the writing ELG.
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CPD
pacey 1
PACEY regional networking event - Saturday 16 March, 9.15am-12.30pm in Leeds
This Regional networking event will bring people from the early years sector together, with talks and support on key topics like SEND, Safeguarding and Ofsted as well as sharing experiences from your fellow childcare practitioners. The Department for Education will also be at the event.
This event is open to both PACEY members and non-members, Childminders, Childminding Assistants, Nursery Managers, Nursery Workers, Nannies, Students, Teachers and other early years professionals. For more details and to book your tickets please visit PACEY’s news and events page [
].
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*Early Years SENCO training offer*
The Department for Education is currently offering the fully-funded, accredited Level 3 Early Years SENCO training offer, with applications open until 31st March 2024. This offer is part of the Covid19 early years education recovery programme. Existing Early Years SENCOs with a Level 3 EY educator qualification, or those due to take up the role of SENCO, including childminders, are eligible for the training. To apply and find out more, please visit the programme website and apply by 31st March 2024 - Early Years SENCO - Level 3 | Best Practice Network [
]
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*Childminder network meeting*
This is a reminder that the next childminder network meeting will be Thursday 7th March 2024 6.30pm – 8.00pm via TEAMS. Please come along and join us. At the meeting the agenda will include a discussion about other ways we can support you, CPD opportunities, SEND support and opportunities for you to network and ask questions.
To book your place please email
karen.cove@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk and then we will email a link to you to enable you to join the meeting.
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families matter
*Reducing Family Conflict Training offer*
There are still some places available on the face to face, 1 day Reducing Family Conflict - Targeted Intervention training which is being held in Cumbria House in Carlisle on 12th March. For more information about the course and how to book on please see this flyer. [
]
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*Maths Numeracy Champions – free training*
The charity National Numeracy is offering free places on the ‘Becoming a Numeracy Champion’ programme for early years practitioners. The programme runs across two online sessions:
Tuesday 19th and 26th March The programme does not teach maths, but instead explores how participants think and feel about maths, discusses the causes of maths anxiety and provides practical strategies to support individuals to improve their skills and confidence with numbers in the workplace. Click on the dates to register.
Become a Numeracy Champion – Primary and Early Years | National Numeracy [
]
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*DFE Child Development Training - Changes to your login*
From 5 February 2024 onwards, the government have changed the way you sign into your Early years child development training account. You now need to create a GOV.UK [
] One Login to access your training, or use your existing One Login if you already have one.
One Login allows you to access multiple government services using just one set of login details. Over time, you will be able to access all government services using just your GOV.UK [
] One Login.
If you need to create a GOV.UK
[
]One Login to access your training, the government recommends using the same login details that you already use for your training.
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*Experts and Mentors Programme: last chance to sign up for free support*
The Experts and Mentors Programme for group-based providers and the Childminder Mentor Programme specific to childminders, provide free support to practitioners and leaders. The support focuses on helping children who need it most and narrowing the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. This is part of the Government’s Early Years Education Recovery Programme.
DfE are now recruiting settings and childminders to the final cohort of the programme who will receive support this Summer (April – June 2024). Please register your interest as soon as possible as places are limited.
PVI nurseries and school based nurseries/pre-schools can self-refer to get free support using this link: - Early Years Experts and Mentors programme - Request for support 2024 (office.com) [
]
Childminders can self-refer to get free support please contact karen.cove@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
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*Early Emotions *
Reminder free CPD -Thursday 14th March 5pm – 7pm Open to all Early Years practitioners in the LCR and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub Local Authorities
An introduction to early emotional health, the issues children face and links to
socio economic backgrounds.
Course Aims and Outcomes:
1- An introduction to emotional health and wellbeing, the issues children face and links to socio-economic backgrounds
2- What can we do to support children
3- Tools and strategies that can be used
Please see attached flyer [
] upcoming CPD Session on behalf of
Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub.
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Supporting Children with Sensory Processing Needs in the Early Years
Our brain receives information from all our senses, which we use to interact with the world around us. This may be through our thoughts, feelings, behaviour. We all process sensory information which, for most people, develops as we grow and mature.
To support your practice and provision with sensory processing in the Early Years, we have recently developed a guidance document. Please click here [
] to access the guidance document.
For more information and guidance around sensory processing please visit the following webpage. [
]
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Start for life website
start for life
Do you know that there is a Start for Life website [
] which 5s a great resource for families with children in the First 1001 days, from conception until the age of two, and beyond?
Parents and carers can sign up to individual emails from pregnancy onwards which provide NHS trusted advice and support, tailored to their stage of pregnancy or baby’s age.
This month, a new campaign will launch called Start for Life ‘If they could tell you’. The campaign will promote the importance and benefits of strong parent infant relationships. The first years of a baby's life, from pregnancy and the first two years, are so important for their healthy development and this campaign will highlight the importance of building a strong connection during this time which helps them develop into happy and healthy children, able to manage their emotions, develop confidence and learn new things.
Elements of breastfeeding and introducing solid foods will also be woven in to the ‘If they could tell you’ campaign.
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World book day
World Book Day is taking place on 7th March 2024. Whilst promoting a love of reading is something that we know early years providers do every day, the website has some great ideas for supporting and encouraging parents and carers to read with children from an early age, and encouraging maintaining that habit for as long as possible - World Book Day Nursery Resources [
]
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reading
*BookTrust* recently launched their ‘Reading together, changing children’s lives’ campaign to support families in understanding the importance of regular reading with their child - Reading Together | BookTrust [
]
Despite 95% of parents with children under seven knowing how crucial reading is, new statistics in research conducted for BookTrust [
] show that one in five children aged 0-4 have a book read to them less than once a month.
20% of families said they don't read to their children because of a lack of time, while 28% said they don't find it easy.
Research also shows that reading for pleasure in these crucial years has four times the impact on a child’s progress by age 16 than their parent’s education or socioeconomic status.
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*Roots to reading *
This guidance aims to provide an overview of how to lay firm foundations for children aged 0 to 4 years old to enable them to eventually become enthusiastic, competent and confident readers. It addresses the benefits of reading to young children and the impact it can have on their holistic development.
roots to reading
The guidance also provides practical ideas on: how to select appropriate books, when and how to read with young children and the identification of skills which need to be nurtured and developed in other areas of the curriculum to support reading.
This guidance is a supplementary tool to the document ‘Open a book…. Support for reading in the early years’ and should be read in conjunction with it. Ideas within the guidance are designed to be shared with practitioners and parents alike.
Please click here [
] to access the document.
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International Womens Day
International Women's Day [
] is on Friday 8 March. International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The theme for IWD 2024 is #InspireInclusion.
The early years sector predominantly consists of female professionals, with approximately 96% of the workforce being women. As Early Years Providers across Cumberland, you play a vital role in providing care and equal opportunities to support children’s development – this includes supporting children to challenge gender stereotypes and making sure that none of their choices and aspirations are limited by gender.
womens day
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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 [
].
This service is provided to you at no charge by Westmorland and Furness Council [
].
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