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Bulletin 243
18th July 2022
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Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves
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Look out for information on looking after young children during a heatwave.
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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.
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Autumn Term Data 2022
Please note that the portal will be open until 29 July 2022 for you to add your data for the Autumn term. This is to enable us to calculate your interim payment which will be paid before the start of the term. Any data entered after this date may result in a late interim payment.
The deadline for Autumn term 30 hour code start dates is 31 August 2022.
Please note that the portal will be temporarily unavailable on 20 July between 7am – 12pm for an update.
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Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements |
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Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves
The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for areas of England on Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July, including parts of the East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, North West England, South West England and Yorkshire & Humber. The red warning indicates an exceptional hot spell of weather leading to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.
The government are not advising early years and childcare settings to close. Individual setting leaders are responsible for managing their own local circumstances. They should refer the Emergency Planning Guidance and carry out risk assessments in line with government guidance on looking after children and young people, as well as those in early years settings during heatwaves. This includes the use of ventilation, closing rooms that are too hot, keeping children hydrated, avoiding vigorous physical activity, encouraging children to wear loose, light coloured clothing and sunhats with wide brims, to use sunscreen, and providing them with plenty of water.
Children under 4 years old and some children and adults with complex medical needs and chronic conditions are potentially at a higher risk during periods of extreme heat. Settings are advised to consider actions recommended in Chapter 3 of the Heatwave Plan For England which are based on the best evidence and practice available currently and are not intended to be prescriptive. Settings should carry out risk assessments and amend and adapt procedures in a way which is appropriate for the individual medical needs of the children and adults in their setting.
Cheshire East have also released some guidance:
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/pdf/livewell/early-years-and-childcare/Heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather-2022-07-15.pdf
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Safeguarding Scenario
The latest safeguarding scenario has been added to our website.
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Ofsted report feedback
One of our Providers has given feedback following their recent Ofsted inspection.
They said that one of the key areas the Inspector focussed on was their intent - they were asked about everything: 'Why are you doing this? Why is that there?'
There was also a lot of questions around staff knowledge of child development and what children were expected to achieve by the time they moved onto the next stage of their education.
Safeguarding questions covered county lines, equality, witchcraft and safer sleep.
There was discussion around how the setting prepared children for modern Britain, and more specifically how they had engaged with Pride month. Ofsted were also asking about the similarities and differences in children and how the setting promoted this.
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EYFS Learning and Development |
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development Consultations
Due to requests from some settings we are now offering a PSED Consultation for up to 3 settings on 1st August 1-3pm. If you are concerned about a child’s personal, social or emotional development and would like some advice or guidance please log on and book via the Online shop.
Cheshire East Chatters summer term Talking Walk-in's
Concerned about your child's communication development? Come and have a chat and get some tips from a Speech and Language Therapist.
Communication is a complex skill which takes children time to develop. There are lots of different aspects of communication such as play, listening, understanding, talking and pronouncing words . If you are worried about your child's development in any of these areas, come and chat to a Cheshire East Chatters Speech & Language Therapist to talk through your concerns and get some useful tips on what you can do to help your child at home tailored to their unique needs. Please book a space for both yourself and your child. Once you have booked you will be contacted with a 15 minute time slot to attend on the day. If you are unable to attend for any reason please let us know as we do operate a waiting list and can offer your place to someone else.
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Continuous Professional Development |
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Bespoke inhouse training offer
Do you have an inset day coming up or staff training session planned? We are able to deliver any of our training courses including Safeguarding Basic Awareness, Signalong, supporting Communication and Language development and more either at your premises or via Teams.
Please contact us at ChildCareWDTeamEast@cheshireeast.gov.uk to discuss this further.
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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
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