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 The Early Years and Childcare Sector Newsfeed for January 2026
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Welcome to the Early Education and Childcare Quality Officer (EECQO) team's Newsfeed. At the end of every month, the team share key information, and important updates collated during the month which they hope you find useful in your setting. |
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This month the spotlight on safeguarding focuses on:
Building a safe organisational culture
Every setting must have a named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Childminders are the DSL, and in a group setting it is recommended to have at least one other deputy DSL.
It is the role of the DSL to create a safeguarding culture and environment that empowers everyone to share their concerns from inside and outside of the setting.
- When did you last check that all the EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements are in place for your setting?
- How do you evaluate and monitor how well your safeguarding policies and procedures are understood and applied by all consistently?
- What training have you and your team done, and when? Consider the knowledge of factors, situations and actions that could lead or contribute to abuse, harm and/or neglect. As of September 2025, all staff including yourself must complete safeguarding training every 2 years that meets Annex C of the EYFS.
- Which children may be potentially at greater risk of harm in your setting?
- How are concerns shared, referred and escalated? Including with parents/carers, and other agencies.
- What would you do if your safeguarding concerns do not meet the threshold for child protection?
- What procedures do you have for safer recruitment? (for childminders that are lone workers these are not needed)
- What is your policy and procedure for reporting safeguarding concerns about adults, poor safeguarding practices, and whistleblowing?
- How do you promote the safe use of technology to children and their families, and ensure internet safety when devices are used?
Visit Training | Skills 4 Bradford to view the range of training available
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Wraparound Toolkit
Having planned activities and resources which reflect the age, skills, and interests of children attending your setting will help you to provide good quality provision. Childcare Works have created a Toolkit for wraparound provision including useful information and resources and lots of ideas. Check it out here.
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The use of Taxis
If you are registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register or the Childcare Register (compulsory and/or voluntary parts) and you use taxis to transport children between your setting and school, you must follow these requirements:
When children are accompanied by a staff member, this staff member must hold:
- A valid DBS check
- An appropriate first aid qualification (e.g. Paediatric First Aid)
When children are unaccompanied, you must have documented evidence that:
- The taxi driver has a valid DBS check
- The taxi driver holds an appropriate first aid qualification
Additionally
- Obtain written parental permission for using taxis as a transport method.
- Keep records of all checks and permissions to comply with statutory requirements.
Send Drop-in Events
SEND drop-in events at your local Family Hub on the last Monday of every month.
Are you concerned about a child’s education or development? Share this information with families about attending the Family Hubs SEND Marketplace event, every month across the district. Check SEND support in Family Hubs for further details.
Rhyme Challenge
Bradford Libraries Take on the Rhyme Challenge 2025–26. Bradford Libraries are inviting families with young children to get involved. For more information check with your local library, more details here.
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Updates from the Department of Education (DfE)
Read and share the DfE's updated support babies and young children with toilet training, guidance here.
Free Early Years SENCO level 3 training⚠️ Programme Fully Subscribed⚠️
Due to overwhelming demand, all 1,000 places on the DfE-funded Early Years SENCO (EYSENCO) programme have now been filled. This strong uptake highlights the sector’s commitment to strengthening inclusive practice across early years settings – thank you to everyone who has applied and supported the programme so far. While current funding has now come to an end. You are encouraged to register your interest to be the first to hear about any future opportunities or updates related to the programme here.
Prevent in education: training for early years foundation stage staff. This training package has been designed by DfE for staff within the early years foundation stage to understand their responsibilities and the importance of the Prevent duty, choice of two dates: Wednesday 29th April 2026 4 - 5.15pm Register or Tuesday 16th June 2026 6 - 7.15pm Register
Early years qualifications approved as full and relevant. The DfE have published two updates. The 'Experience-based route for early years: non-statutory guidance' has been replaced with an updated version, following changes to the law on 1 January 2026 to include the new Ofsted inspection framework. Please make sure you are using the new version when implementing the experience-based route for staff who do not hold full and relevant qualifications. Did you know the check an early years qualification can also be used by practitioners as well as managers when checking if an early years qualification is approved as full and relevant by DfE for working in staff:child ratios in England? As per a DfE update.
The Parent Newsletter - Best Start in Life share this link with your parents in your setting so they can receive the latest updates, news and announcements about government support available for parents.
Recruiting and Retaining your Workforce. The Department for Education has developed a workforce toolkit, designed to support those involved in delivering free breakfast clubs and wraparound childcare. The toolkit contains a variety of practical resources for more information look here.
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News and updates from Ofsted
Nominee training for early years inspections. Ofsted have published a training video explaining the new role of nominee for early years inspections under their renewed education inspection framework. You can watch the video on Ofsted’s YouTube channel here.
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Early Years Networking and Professional Development Opportunities, fully funded and open to early years educators check them out here |
50 Things to do before you are five
Explore how the 50 Things to Do initiative can be used as a tool to strengthen partnerships with parents. Join online on Monday 2nd February 4-5 pm here
New blog: Unlocking Maths at Home with 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five, explores how practitioners and parents can work together to support early mathematical milestones, helping children build strong foundations as they prepare for Reception. Check it out here.
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Early Years Funding
Sustainability of Funding – Guidance and Resources. Childcare Works have created recorded guidance and resources for providers, schools and childminders to use when navigating the sustainability of early years funding, and to support in adopting a whole-business perspective when it comes to funding. You can find the details at the HUB.
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Keep yourself well informed
There are lots of sources for information guidance and support available online. This is not an exhaustive list and please note we are not endorsing any specific organisations:
Winter safety guide from the accident prevent trust: Top tips for keeping children safe this winter click here to find out more.
OPSS issues Safety Alert on baby sleep pillows. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Safety Alert to warn about the risks associated with baby sleep pillows. More information here.
Child Car Seat Community Checking Events. These events are designed to support parents and carers in making sure their children’s car seats are fitted safely and correctly. Each session offers:
- FREE professional car seat checks
- Fitting guidance
- Helpful safety resources
Thursday 12th February 2026, South Hawksworth Street, car park, Ilkley, LS29 9DX, 10am - 3pm
Friday 6th March 2026, The Rockwell Community Centre, 6 Summerfield Rd, Bradford BD10 8DP, 10am - 3pm
Friday 13th March 2026, The Leisure Centre Keighley, Hard Ings Rd, Victoria Park View, Keighley BD21 3JN 10am - 3pm
The National Children’s Bureau Open Access Webinars. Workshops providing an overview of how to support the home learning environment (HLE) for families with children with SEND. Choose from the dates below and click the link to book.
5th Feb 2026- 9.30am-11.30am- here or 24th Feb 2026- 7pm-9pm- here
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