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early years bannerearly years bulletin
*Bulletin 311*
*7 May 2024*
*Welcome to our Early Years and Childcare Bulletin. Previous Bulletins are available at: *Cheshire East Early years and Childcare Bulletin [
]
Business Support
*Wraparound Childcare*
*"Are you a school looking for a wraparound childcare provider?"*
*"Are you a wraparound childcare provider looking to work with schools to develop new provision?"*
The government’s ambition is that all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need wraparound childcare should be able to access term time provision in their local area from 8am-6pm (or equivalent, if data shows that local demand is for different hours).
The government expects all schools that educate primary school-aged pupils to:
* work with your local authority wraparound lead and others in the sector, to identify how you can support parents to access wraparound childcare.
* have school or PVI provider (including childminder) run wraparound childcare on the school site, unless there is a reasonable justification not to (having considered all support available, in particular from the national wraparound childcare programme).
* work collaboratively with your LA to ensure parents are, at a minimum, signposted to appropriate provision, if you are unable to have wraparound on the school site. Provision must not require parents to pick up or drop off their children between the school day and wraparound.
* promote and support government subsidies such as Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and Universal Credit (UC) Childcare, which can help parents with the affordability of childcare, and supports schools, trusts, and PVI providers with the sustainability of provision.
In addition, schools are expected to:
* respond to their community’s wraparound needs by adhering to the right to request guidance, which describes your role in:
* considering and responding to parents’ requests for the school to deliver wraparound childcare.
* considering and responding to PVI providers’ requests to use the school site to deliver wraparound childcare.
* support the local authority to understand parental demand and, where relevant, existing wraparound provision in your school.
We would like to facilitate links between schools and prospective wraparound childcare providers.
Please register your details here:
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Please contact Earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk if you require any support.
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*Expanded entitlements from September 2024 onwards*
From 1 April, eligible working parents can apply for:
* 15 hours childcare for their two-year-old
* 30 hours childcare for their three- or four-year-old
The second phase of the childcare support expansion will be rolled out from September. *From 12 May, eligible working parents can apply for 15 hours for their child aged 9 months old and over.*
To be eligible from 1 September 2024, children must have a date of birth on or before 30 November 2023.
To use their hours during autumn term, parents need to apply for their code by 31 August and must reconfirm their details every three months via their Childcare Choices account. Codes applied for in May will have an end date in August and will therefore need reconfirming before the code can be used for autumn term 2024.
Once codes are provided by parents, please check the end date of the code via the Eligibility Checker on the Provider Portal by adding the code, child date of birth and parent/carer NI number. The data will not be stored at this stage but will highlight to parents the importance of reconfirming their code, especially those whose codes have an end date before 31 August 2024.
From September 2025, eligible working parents with children between 9 months up to school age will have access to 30 hours childcare.
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*Provider Portal Closure – Summer Term*
The Provider Portal will close for the summer term on 10 May 2024. Any further additions or adjustments for the summer term should be emailed, with a copy of the completed parental declaration form, to the FEEE Team at FEEE@cheshireeast.gov.uk__
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*Parental Declaration Form *__
In readiness for autumn term and the second phase of the expanded entitlements, updates have been made to the parental declaration form [
]. This can be used for new children (parents can still sign the older version if in place, for any amendments). From April 2024 2-year-olds qualify for DAF and EYPP, and under 2s will qualify from September 2024, it is vital that the consent boxes on the parental declaration are ticked to enable an eligibility check to be completed.
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*Early Education Entitlement – Monthly Payments*
The current method of paying the grant in advance maximises cashflow but may impact on some childminders claiming Universal Credit. To support the relatively small number of childminders impacted by the current payment method, early education entitlement payments may be requested on a monthly basis.
The following example demonstrates the difference between the 2 payment methods.
For the purpose of illustration, we have used the average amount paid to childminders per year.
monthly payments
Payments on a monthly basis will be available from autumn term 2024 for those that wish to opt in. Lump sum payments in advance will continue for all other providers.
Please email feee@cheshireeast.gov.uk if you wish to receive payments on a monthly basis from autumn term 2024.
Please include the name and Ofsted registration number of your provision in your email.
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*Grant funding to develop new childcare places*
*Childcare Expansion Capital Grant*
This funding is intended to support expansion of the 30-hours early years entitlement for working families and wraparound provision in primary schools. It must be spent on capital projects, and is being provided to meet the capital costs associated with projects that help ensure sufficient places for:
* Children taking up an early years place through the expanded 30-hours entitlement for qualifying working parents (from the term following the child reaching 9-months to the term in which they turn 3-years-old);
* Increasing the supply of wraparound childcare for primary-school aged children.
Projects may be funded to develop either 30-hours early years entitlement or wraparound childcare, or both.
*National Wraparound Childcare Programme*
Revenue funding will be available to support the operating costs of new wraparound provision.
The funding will be tapered. This reflects the expectation that the funding is used to fund set up and running costs of new and expanded wraparound places and that, as take-up of provision increases, and therefore income from parental payments increases, the level of grant funding needed to contribute to running costs to ensure sustainability reduces.
Details of how to apply for the development grants will be made available via this bulletin during summer term. Applications will be invited from all sectors; day nurseries, pre-schools, schools, childminders, before and after school childcare providers.
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Briefing for Prospective Childminders
Childminder [
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Please share this information on your social media accounts:
Are you interested in becoming a Childminder? We are running regular Childminder briefing sessions to provide information on what it means to be a Childminder and how to apply. Please click on the link below to complete the online form
Interested in Becoming a Childminder (cheshireeast.gov.uk) [
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Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements
*DSL Cluster *
* *11th June 2024 **09:30 - 11:30 (Teams)*
* *11th June 2024 **18:30 - 20:30 **(Teams)*
The North West Regional Outreach Adviser for the Disclosure and Barring Service will be joining us for these DSL clusters. We will also be discussing learning from a recent safeguarding practice review and the usual local and national safeguarding updates.
*Please book on through the ChESS Early Years Training Hub*
*Early Years Training Hub* [
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Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Focus on...
Safeguarding picture
Providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures and ensure that all staff have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training made available by the provider must enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way.
National updates
*Nutrition content for early years providers - Help for Early Years Providers
*
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework there is a requirement that states: ‘Where children are provided with meals, snacks, and drinks, these must be healthy, balanced and nutritious.’
Establishing healthy eating habits at a young age is important for long-term health. As early years practitioners you can help set solid foundations for children’s future health by providing them with nutritious food in your settings.
Help for Early Years Providers has added new nutrition content [
] including videos to help you fulfil the requirement to provide healthy, balanced and nutritious food for the children in your care.
The content:
* explains the importance of introducing good food habits from birth
* includes information on the dietary requirements of babies and young children and how to plan a balanced menu
* provides recipe cards for tasty, cost effective, nutritious recipes you can use in your settings
* gives tips on how to introduce solid foods safely to babies
* provides information on food safety
* links to further reading and resources
For more guidance on supporting children in the early years, visit the Help for Early Years Providers website. [
]
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*Latest Ofsted Early Years Blog*
Ofsted have published a new early years blog describing why they might suspend a childcare provider's registration and what happens next.
Click on the button below to read the blog.
*Ofsted Blog* [
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*New content published on the Foundation Years Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Profile page*
The Department for Education’s EYFS Profile
[
]on Foundation Years provides teachers with support to help them complete the EYFS Profile. It will be updated regularly throughout the 2023 to 2024 academic year.
Each update covers a new area of the Profile, focusing on topics the sector has asked for more information on.
The most recent update [
] provides information on how to complete the EYFS Profile for children who remain in EYFS provision beyond age 5.
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Early Years Foundation Stage Government Consultation
The Department for Education are seeking views on proposed changes to safeguarding requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
The DfE are consulting on proposals to strengthen the EYFS safeguarding requirements and make them more comprehensive for early years providers. This is to ensure that all children are kept as safe as possible in early years settings.
*Click here to give your views* [
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*Click here to watch the vodcast* [
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Experience-Based Route for Early Years Practitioners
The Department for Education are seeking views on a technical consultation to test a proposed new model for the experience-based route, proposed eligibility criteria and process requirements.
The consultation on proposed changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), launched on 31 May 2023, included a proposal to introduce a new experienced-based route for early years practitioners to gain approved status to work within staff:child ratios. Having considered all the responses to that consultation, in its response the Department noted its intention to proceed with this change.
This is a technical consultation to test a proposed new model for the experience-based route, as well as proposed eligibility criteria and process requirements. The DfE are seeking views to help reach well-informed decisions.
*Click here to complete the survey* [
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*How to register as a childminder and receive a grant worth up to £1,200*
The Department for Education have published a new blog detailing everything you need to know about how to become a childminder and where to apply.
Click the button below for more information.
*Childminder Blog* [
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EYFS Learning and Development
BookTrust Deaf Awareness Week
Bookstart deaf awareness
*To contact BookTrust, please see the contact details below:*
Frances Lennon, BookTrust Coordinator - 07827 954086
Sarah Harrison, BookTrust Administrator - 07827 877966
bookstart@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk
SEND
*New Training Opportunity! Liquidlogic Training - EHCP Reviews*
* *3rd June 2024 **09:30 - 11:00 (Teams)*
* *10th June 2024 18:00 - 19:30 (Teams)*
A demonstration on how to complete EHCP annual reviews on the case management system, Liquidlogic. The training is appropriate for Early Years settings who have one or more children with a draft or final EHCP. This session will include an overview of how to log in and access Liquidlogic and how it is used in Cheshire East Council. There will be an explanation of trays in Liquidlogic and a demonstration of a full EHCP annual review, including scheduling meetings, pre-reviewing paperwork and meeting outcomes. Login details will be provided to attendees after the session.
*Please book on through the ChESS Early Years Training Hub*
*Early Years Training Hub* [
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Early Years to Primary Transitions – Time to Talk
Primary school places have now been allocated. Please can you now start making links with your feeder primary schools to begin the transition process, especially for our most vulnerable children.
*Aims:*
* To work collaboratively with your feeder primary schools to help them to develop a strong knowledge of the needs of the children, including the provision and adaptations required for the children to make a smooth transition to primary school.
* To co-ordinate with your feeder primary schools key dates to attend universal and enhanced transition visits.
* To develop key links with parents/carers of identified children requiring an enhanced transition and involve them in the transition planning for their child.
The SEND Transition team are here to help so please feel free to invite them to your cluster meetings or make contact with them regarding the transition process.
A big thank you to all the Early Years settings so far that have welcomed the SEND Transition team into their settings and shared their good practice and challenges regarding helping children move to primary school. The team are keen to share good practice and will be using the bulletin as a platform to do this going forward.
***Cheshire East SEND Transition Team* contact details:**
Rachael Pickles – Transition Team Manager:
rachael.pickles2@cheshireeast.gov.uk 07816 144386
Loren Whiteside – Transition Adviser:
loren.whiteside2@cheshireeast.gov.uk 07557 801258
Tanya Houghton-Heath – Transition Adviser: tanya.houghtonheath2@cheshireeast.gov.uk 07385 002348
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*SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF) – summer term 2024*
Children in receipt of SEN Inclusion Funding before 1 January 2024, when the new SENIF policy [
] was introduced, will continue to receive funding during summer term 2024. New agreement schedules will be issued in April.
Many of these children will start school in September 2024. Children who have not yet reached school age by September and therefore continue to access their early education entitlements will require a new SENIF application under the terms of the new policy.
Applications for SEN Inclusion Funding received after 1 January 2024 are considered under the new SENIF policy [
]. Should SENIF be agreed, a one-off payment is made based on the tiers / bands outlined in the policy. Should more support be required, providers must submit a further application to the SENIF panel.
SEND Inclusion Funding (cheshireeast.gov.uk) [
]
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*SENCO Contact Details*
Please ensure that the SENCO contact details for your setting are up to date. If you have referred a child at your setting to the Early Years Forum, the outcome of Forum will be shared with SENCO's via the contact details held on the Provider Portal.
Please check the information held by the Early Years Team via the Staff section of the Provider Portal and add/delete SENCO details as required. Guidance notes [
] are available.
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SEND Consultations
If you would like to book a SEND, PSED or Communication and Language consultation, please email: earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk
You will be sent paperwork to complete, once that is finished and returned by secure email, including with a parent/carers signature, you will be offered a consultation slot.
*Please note that the PSED paperwork has been updated. Please delete any old copies that you have saved and email to request the latest forms.*
Cheshire East Chatters
*Cheshire East Chatters Summer Term Training*
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CE chatters training
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Cheshire East Chatters Talking Walk-in's
Please share the information below with parents. The Talking Walk-in's are opportunities for parents to speak with a Speech and Language Therapist to receive advice and guidance to support their child at home.
CE chatters
Family Hubs
PVC Banner Collection
PVC banner
We are providing settings (nurseries, pre-schools, schools and childminders) in Cheshire East with a PVC banner to promote Childcare Choices and the new entitlements.
These are now available to collect from the reception at either:
* *Oakenclough Family Hub, Colshaw Drive, Wilmslow, SK9 2PZ*
* *Monks Coppenhall Family Hub, Remer Street, Crewe, CW1 4LY*
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*Childminder Drop-In's*
Childminder drop in
Continuous Professional Development
Summer Term Training now available on the Early Years Training Hub
The ChESS Early Years Training Hub has been updated with lots of training opportunities for the Summer term, please take a look and book on now!
Upcoming training:
*Role of the DSL - 13th May 2024 09:30 - 15:30 (Oakenclough Family Hub)*
This one day training course provides information and guidance to practitioners new to the role of the DSL or those wishing to refresh their knowledge. The training includes safer recruitment and induction of new staff members, liaising with staff members and other agencies, recording of safeguarding information, escalation of concerns, online safety, allegations against staff, the role of the LADO and policy and procedure development.
*Basic Safeguarding Awareness - 14th May 2024 18:30 - 20:30 (Teams)*
This training will help you to develop an awareness of, and the ability to act on, concerns about the safety and welfare of children and young people. It will enable you to understand your safeguarding role, be able to define, identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect and identify safer caring practices.
*Delivering Small Groups - 15th May 2024* *13:30 - 16:00 (Teams)*
Together with our specialist Speech and Language Therapists you will explore ways to set up small groups focussing on the development of attention and listening skills as well as language skills and vocabulary. You will learn more about how to identify children for the groups as well as sharing thoughts and ideas around using a total communication approach to support children to engage with the activities.
*Two-Year-Old Training - Busy Being 2 - 4th June 2024 13:30 - 15:30 (Monks Coppenhall Family Hub)*
This training is for all practitioners working with 2-year-olds and will provide the skills and child development knowledge needed to work with this unique age group. Busy Being 2 training will cover what you need to know about child development at 2, how 2-year-olds like to learn, the physical environment and supporting feelings and emotions.
*Early Years Inclusion Toolkit - 5th June 2024 09:00 - 10:30 or **11:00 - 12:30 **(Oakenclough Family Hub)*
This session will concentrate on the new sections of the Cheshire East Inclusion Toolkit for Early Years and how they can be utilised effectively to support your role in the setting. We will also discuss the changes that are likely to be made to the paperwork and the new sections that are upcoming.
*Early Years Inclusion Toolkit - 5th June 2024 18:00 - 19:30 (Teams)*
This session will concentrate on the new sections of the Cheshire East Inclusion Toolkit for Early Years and how they can be utilised effectively to support your role in the setting. We will also discuss the changes that are likely to be made to the paperwork and the new sections that are upcoming.
*Difficult Safeguarding Conversations - 6th June 2024 10:00 - 11:30 (Teams)*
This two hour training course aims to provide practical advice to enable practitioners to feel more confident in starting conversations about safeguarding concerns. The course will look at parent partnerships, professional curiosity and the practicalities of having difficult safeguarding conversations.
*Step Inside the Baby Room - 6th June 2024 10:00 - 12:00 (Monks Coppenhall Family Hub)*
This training aims to support practitioners working in the baby room. The training will cover how babies learn and develop, how we can best meet their needs through attachment and interactions and how to build an environment and play resources that are right for babies. We will also discuss safer sleep.
*Making Sense of Autism - 12th June 2024 **09:30 - 11:30 (Teams)*
This session will ensure participants know the importance of understanding the individual child on the autism spectrum and their profile of strengths and weaknesses and be able to identify the four key areas of difference that need to be taken into account when working with children on the autism spectrum.
*New Managers - Staff Development - 13th June 2024 **09:30 - 11:00 (Teams)*
This session is part of a series focussing on supporting early years practitioners to progress in management roles. This training will look at statutory requirements and skills needed to be an effective manager. This course is suitable for new managers, deputy managers, senior staff and those who aspire to be in a management position.
*Role of the SENCO - 14th June 2024 09:30 - 15:00 (Oakenclough Family Hub)*
This course has been written for those new to the role of the SENCO and those wishing to refresh their knowledge. If you need information on Cheshire East’s graduated approach, Cheshire East’s SEND Toolkit, up to date and relevant paperwork, external advice systems and processes, then this is the course for you.
*Early Years Training Hub* [
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Don't Forget!
*Early Years Training Hub – reminder to sign up*
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to the ChESS Early Years Training Hub. If you haven’t yet signed up, please do so now to book on to training. You can sign up by accessing this link:
Chess Early Years Training Hub (sla-portals.co.uk) [
]
Then click on the *sign up* button on the top right hand side of the login page.
The* ChESS Early Years Training Hub* button on our Early Years and Childcare Training Resources (cheshireeast.gov.uk) [
] webpage will also give you access to the Hub.
Through our Early Years training page, you can find information about the training and CPD offer available to Early Years practitioners in Cheshire East.
Please note: If you already have access to the ChESS Hub for schools, you do not need to sign up again, however, please email us to request additional access user rights to the Early Years Hub.
*Early Years Training Hub* [
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