View this email in a browser

Bulletin 242

12th July 2022

Welcome to our new style Early Years and Childcare bulletin. Previous bulletins are still available at: Cheshire East Early years and Childcare Bulletin

Look out for...

Vote for Crewe to become the home of Great British Railways

Look out for further information on how to vote for Crewe to become the home of Great British Railways.

Covid-19

Latest Covid Figures for Cheshire East

The Covid figures are now being updated on a less frequent basis - for the latest figures see the link below.

Business Support

YOUR vote counts! Vote for Crewe to be the home of Great British Railways

Cheshire East have been shortlisted in the government competition to become the home of the new Great British Railways Headquarters. This is a really exciting opportunity for the borough and the historic railway town of Crewe, which has been chosen to compete with five other towns and cities bidding for this prestigious prize. Cheshire East Council has invested considerable energy and work into our bid but it doesn’t end here. We need you to take part in the public vote and we urge you to vote now! Government ministers will make the final decision later this year and will take into account the level of support for our bid. You can vote for Crewe here and, once you have, please do use the attached image and the #HeartOfRail and #DestinationGBR hashtags on any social media channel you may use, to help spread the word. The Great British Railways HQ would be a big employer, creating jobs and opportunities for our young people, so please take the time to vote before the deadline on 15 August.

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements

Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves

Children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults during hot weather because they do not sweat as much and so can be at risk of ill-health from heat. The government have published guidance for early years setting about the health risks from heat and how to prevent heat-induced illness in young children.

Ofsted

Updated Ofsted inspection handbooks

Ofsted have published an updated version of the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and the Early Years Inspection Handbook which will come into force from 1 September 2022. The key change is a new section on inspecting childminders under the EIF. They have published a summary of changes which explains in more detail the minor changes made to the document.

Ofsted have published a blog which explains the changes in more detail The education inspection framework (EIF) – looking ahead to September 2022 - Ofsted: schools and further education & skills (FES) (blog.gov.uk)

EYFS Learning and Development

SEND

Personal, Social or Emotional Development Consultation

If you have concerns about a child’s personal, social or emotional development and would like some support we are holding a PSED consultation on 1^st August 1-3pm.  Please book your place via the online shop.

SEND Inclusion funding – summer term dates and online application form reminder

Summer term SEND Inclusion Funding application deadlines, Panel meeting and feedback dates are all available via our webpage (please note, panel meetings are not held in August).

To apply for SEND Inclusion Funding, please book onto an SEN consultation and then use our online application form. Applications received via email will no longer be considered. If you experience any problems completing the form or uploading supporting evidence, please contact the helpline on 01625 374170 or email EarlyYearsSenHelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

SEND Inclusion Funding applications must be made in the child’s name using their home address details and date of birth.

Should you have any queries about your SEND Inclusion Funding payments, please contact the helpline on 01625 374170 or email EarlyYearsSenHelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

Funding agreements must be completed prior to payment. If SENCos require a copy of the funding agreement, please email EarlyYearsSenHelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

Continuous Professional Development

Early Years & Childcare Provider Network **last chance to book your place**

These networks are aimed at Owners, Managers and Leaders, including Childminders, and will be taking place this week on:

Wednesday 13^th July 9.30-11.30

Wednesday 13^th July 6.30-8.30

Thursday 14^th July 1.30-3.30

We will be discussing the Cheshire East Parenting Journey and will share with you the assessment opportunities, leaflets and guidance available to support you and the children in your setting. If you would like to attend one of these networks please book your place via the online shop.

Don't Forget!

Autumn Term Data Entry – Portal Access

Please note that the Provider Portal will now be available for you to submit your Autumn term data on 30 June 2022. This is a change. The portal will close again on Friday 29 July 2022 to enable us to calculate your interim payments.

Government consultation on childcare: regulatory changes

The government have launched a consultation on staff:child ratios for 2-year-olds in group-based settings, on clarifying greater flexibilities for childminders when caring for sibling children or their own child, and on supervision requirements while children are eating.

Further information can be found on the links below:

Drive to reduce the cost of childcare for parents - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

You can respond to the consultation on the link below:

Childcare: regulatory changes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

FEEE – Afghan and Ukrainian children

Afghan and Ukrainian children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old living in Cheshire East are entitled to 15 hours early education irrespective of the immigration status of the child or their parent(s). To claim FEEE funding for children from Afghanistan or Ukraine, please add their details to the Provider Portal in the usual way. Should the Provider Portal be closed, please email the FEEE Team (FEEE@cheshireeast.gov.uk) who will update your funding claim.

In addition, please also complete the short form (link below), enabling the authority to monitor take-up of the free entitlement.  Please complete this form each time an Afghan or Ukrainian child starts or leaves your setting. If any Afghan or Ukrainian children currently attend your setting, please retrospectively complete this form and continue to use the form as you have any new starters or leavers.

https://forms.office.com/r/RN5KbkKrzL