Spotlight on safeguarding

This month the spotlight on safeguarding focuses on: 

Mobile phones, cameras, and other electronic devices

What is your procedure for mobile phones, cameras, and other electronic devices such as tablets, smart watches, and video cameras? Consider the use of devices by children, staff, visitors, and parents. Explain in your procedure how devices are used in your setting and for what purpose - such as for observations, memories or photos to be displayed within the setting. Do you get written permission from parents to take, display and share photos?

How will you ensure children are kept safe when using electronic devices in the setting? Do you set and test parental controls, and how are children supervised during use? Consider older children and their own electronic devices in relation to internet safety and access to these whilst on the premises.

Refer to Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: online safety considerations  and visit saferinternet.org.uk or help for early years providers - safeguarding and welfare internet safety for further information.

The Data Protection Act 1998

Providers must be aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998. This means registering with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to store any information (including contact details and photos), for further details, visit Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Working together guidance updates 

Please note there has been a couple of minor updates to the Working together to safeguard children statutory guidance - Working together to safeguard children

Pg 26, paragraph 48: amended the wording used to describe lead safeguarding partners.

Pg 42: corrected the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel email address.

Pg 161: updated the glossary definition of ‘safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children’ to match that on pg 7 to 8.

Pg 167: linked to the latest version of ‘Good practice guidance on working with parents with a learning disability’.

Online provider networks in June 2024, book your place

The focus for the June Provider Network is Cyber Awareness, and this is a brilliant opportunity to hear key messages delivered by West Yorkshire Police.

This session is intended to improve your knowledge and awareness of modern day problems in relation to children's use of the online world which will then help you with your safeguarding responsibilities. This West Yorkshire Police training was last delivered to the Bradford childcare sector two years ago, and we are all aware how quickly technology moves on, this will be a fantastic refresher, or if you haven’t attended before.

There are two dates to choose from, choose one date:

Book here for 18th June 2024 6.30 - 8pm

Book here for 20th June 2024 6.30 - 8pm

How do I access?

The provider networks are all delivered online and are free.  If you are unsure how to use Microsoft Teams watch this 10-minute video as it provides a step by step guide of how to participate, and the presentation starts with ‘the group agreement.’  Please note we will not cover how to use Teams or the group agreement during our live sessions, so please make sure you are familiar before attending.

Families and Young Persons Information

With many changes taking place within the childcare sector, there is a new childcare page on  www.FYI.bradford.gov.uk   to replace the council’s webpage.

Please have a look at this, it this is valuable for parents, families, and practitioners.

If you need help or support with Early Education and Childcare, please contact us: childcarehelpandsuuport@bradford.gov.uk

For eligibility criteria and further information please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Childcare providers and inspection data 

The Ofsted inspection data recently published shows the following information so a massive well done to the PVI childcare sector as these are brilliant figures for Bradford.  

The data for Ofsted inspections up to 31 December 2023 shows Bradford’s good or outstanding % figure:

Childminders on the Early Years Register is 98% this is 1% higher than the England average (97%) and 1% lower than the Yorkshire and Humber (Y&H) average (99%).

Group-based figure for childcare providers on non-domestic premises on the Early Years Register is 99% which is 3% higher than the England average (96%) and 2% higher than the (Y&H ) average (97%).

Childcare on domestic premises on the Early Years Register is 100% which is 6% above the England average (94%) and 5% above the Y&H average (95%).

Data source - Childcare providers and inspections: data as of 31 December

Ofsted have the following updates available:

Ofsted inspections: what EY providers and practitioners need to know about delivering the early years foundation stage (EYFS), and Ofsted inspections under the education inspection framework (EIF).

Change made:Updates throughout  reflect the new versions of the EYFS framework for childminders and schools and group-based provision that came into effect on 4 January 2024.

People connected with Ofsted-registered childcare Guidance on checks Ofsted will carry out on anyone associated with Ofsted-registered childcare.

Change made: Removed the references to the EY3 form and updated the ‘Tell Ofsted about changes’ section with the new process for reporting a change.

Report changes to registered people in your nursery or other daycare You must tell Ofsted about changes to those responsible for a daycare organisation, and for a home where daycare takes place, and also who is living or working there.

Change made: Removed the references to the EY3 form and updated the ‘Tell Ofsted about changes’ section with the new process for reporting a change.

Childminders: tell Ofsted about adults leaving the home You must tell Ofsted when anyone aged 16 or over stops living or working in the home where you look after children.

Change made: Removed references to the EY3 form and updated the ‘Tell Ofsted about changes’ section with the new process for reporting a change.

National recruitment campaign

Do something BIG, work with small children - Government Early Years recruitment campaign is now live!

The Early Years and Childcare national recruitment campaign has now been launched. The campaign aims to raise the profile of the sector and showcase the important contribution made by early years professionals in preparing young children for school and beyond. It is a multi-channel broadcast campaign, running across TV, cinema, social media, online, radio and out of home advertising to boost interest in the sector and support the recruitment of talented staff.

Job vacancies

Upload any current or upcoming vacancies available in your setting, please watch these video tutorials to help create an employer account and post jobs. Create an employer account here. You should use the term ‘early years’ in the title of your job adverts and select ‘Education jobs’ for the job category.

The aim of the campaign is to promote early years and childcare careers by highlighting the huge difference early years professionals make to young children and how rewarding working in the sector can be. 

The campaign, with its own dedicated website, will direct potential applicants to use DWP’s Find a Job vacancy platform to search for early years, childcare and wraparound roles in their area. Do something big - Early Years Careers

New resources to support supervised toothbrushing programmes and tackle tooth decay

Tooth decay remains very common in young children especially in those living in deprived areas. Tooth decay can be very painful, cause problems eating/sleeping and stop children attending early years settings.

There is a requirement within the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote good oral health to children and supervised toothbrushing programmes are an effective way to do this. 

To make sure more children get to benefit from taking part in supervised toothbrushing programmes a new website has been developed, as part of a national research project, to include resources needed by all those involved in getting toothbrushing programmes set-up and running well: HOME | BRUSH Toolkit (supervisedtoothbrushing.com)

Are you and your children protected from measles?

Measles cases are on the rise nationally, and new cases have been found in Bradford. Measles is a highly contagious disease, often identified by a rash and/or fever, which can cause serious illness in those who catch it, especially in young children and people with underlying health conditions. If you start to show symptoms you should stay off work or school and contact your doctor immediately.

Measles is easily preventable thanks to the MMR vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free, and available to anyone regardless of age or immigration status. We encourage anyone who has not had their MMR vaccine to contact their GP.

Catch up clinics are being offered in schools, and GPs have sent letters to parents of all unvaccinated 6-11 year olds inviting them to get booked in. Find out more

The Department for Education is hosting a webinar on the increase in measles cases.

The live webinar will take place on Monday 4 March at 4pm – 5pm. Education settings can sign up to the webinar using this Eventbrite link

Specialist Learning Networks

Specialist Learning Networks provide the opportunity to meet other professionals with a shared interest in a specific area of learning, build professional relationships and participate in professional discussions, gain access to valuable resources, share ideas and learn about the latest trends and training opportunities. Join a network today - Choose from any of the following:

• Leaders and emerging leaders
• Communication and regulation
• Outdoor play and learning
• Childminding
• Send

Managing mental health & screen time

10 ways to help your child work through their worries explore how Little ones can struggle with big feelings - and there are lots of things parents and carers can do to help them.

8 wellbeing activities to help boost your toddler’s mental health explore practising mindfulness which can be done at a young age, laying the foundations for building emotional and communication skills as they age.