On Tuesday 9th February, around 60 representatives from across the sector attended an online Q & A session about the roll out of community testing in Cumbria. Paul Robinson, Assistant Director for Organisational Change gave a briefing. He assured Providers that they are a very high priority for community testing and that his team was working hard to roll out the process. Currently the government has not licenced home testing for the early years PVI sector but he is involved in lobbying government for a change of policy.
Larger providers have been invited to attend training on self-managed lateral flow testing so that this can be supervised and managed within the setting itself. Over time it may be possible for smaller settings to access this ‘train the trainer’ model as well.
For the majority of settings, community testing will be the most viable option. The list of possible sites and opening times is now available and we ask that you complete the survey below in order to let us know your preference:
Survey
Powerpoint of Q & A session 9th February
The feedback for the session was positive and it was agreed that further sessions will be organised in future.
Some settings may be offered LFT early as a result of an outbreak situation (defined as two or more positive cases in the same setting linked by time, person or place). If you think that your setting is at risk of an outbreak please contact Public Health who will investigate and possibly implement a rapid response.
The Department for Education have decided that we need to return to weekly collections while the current national COVID restrictions are in place.
We would like to thank you for your continued assistance with this piece of work.
Attendance Survey
Some early years settings have been asking how they can find out more about what is on offer through Children’s Centres. These are now part of the 0 – 19 Child and Family Support Service. Although most of the groups are currently operating online (to reduce risk of transmission of the virus), they are still open to referrals and enquiries in order to support families who need a little extra help. You can find more information through the contacts given below. We recommend that you sign up to receive the newsletter from the Provider in your district.
Please find referral forms here: Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden and South Lakes
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Email
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Telephone number
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Allerdale
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Allerdale@family-action.org.uk
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01900 810869 or 07815687287
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Barrow
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Barrow@family-action.org.uk
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01229 821855 or 07502149188
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Carlisle
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Carlisle@family-action.org.uk
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01228 223417 or 07734003789
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Copeland
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Copeland@family-action.org.uk
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07815 688393 or 07815688968
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Eden
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enquiries.eden@barnardos.org.uk
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01768 899901 or 07740 516 210
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South Lakes
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south.lakeland@actionforchildren.org.uk
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01539 734456
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As included in last week’s bulletin, the Early Years team have developed some weekly ideas to help support practitioners and teachers with home learning. All of the activities support the prime area of speech, language and communication. Each week there will be a range of activities for practitioners to share with parents to support home and remote learning including activities that promote language and communication, books and some extension activities linked to the rhyme or theme for that week.
Week Three- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Each week as well as the activities to support the prime area of speech, language and communication we are also including the popular What Can I do This Week? activities currently shared through CFIS Facebook. We realise that a lot of you are sharing this link but felt you may find it useful to have access to the documents. The activities included in the Wednesday Communication will be for the activities beginning the Monday of the following week. We hope you will enjoy sharing these activities with your families.
What Can I do This Week? Stones Week beginning 15th February
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
A reminder that Community Learning and Skills have moved online and are offering a range of short courses for families (find here) including supporting children with lockdown learning, as well as family learning activities. Please share the flyers below with your families:
Family Learning flyer
Lockdown Learning poster
Ofsted have announced that all planned inspection activity will be carried out remotely until March 8 at the earliest. However, they will continue with vital regulatory work in early years and children’s social care. This work will sometimes require on-site visits, which will be risk-assessed based on the nature of the premises and the urgency of the work - further information can be found here.
If any staff or pupils attending your setting test positive for Covid-19, please continue to call details through to the Cumbria County Council Call Centre. The Public Health team then know which settings may require support.
The Call Centre number is 0800 783 1968.
Any public health queries in relation to positive cases, please email EducationIPC@cumbria.gov.uk
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak includes information on educational visits, arriving and leaving the setting, face coverings and pregnant staff
What to do if a child or adult is displaying symptoms of coronavirus includes information on charging parents and carers, childminders, and NHS advice on vaccines and fevers.
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated FAQs from Foundation Years
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