View this email in a browser

Bulletin 256

12 December 2022

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

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

All FEEE Providers/Administrators - Ofsted Information

Would settings please ensure that your Ofsted contact details are checked and updated if necessary on a regular basis? We are frequently asked by Ofsted for these details. Unfortunately, we are unable to amend them as the nightly download from Ofsted will over-write the information.

FEEE Providers/Administrators – Provider Portal 

The Provider Portal has re-opened again for you to add any further children or changes for the Spring term. It will close again on 27 January. 

The Autumn term headcount remains closed so, any adjustments will need to be emailed to the FEEE Team.

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements

Scarlet Fever and Group A streptococcus

1. You have one or more cases of chickenpox or flu in the class that has scarlet fever at the same time. This is because infection with scarlet fever and either chickenpox or flu at the same time can result in more serious illness.
2. You are experiencing an outbreak of scarlet fever in a setting or class that provides care or education to children who are clinically vulnerable.
3. The outbreak continues for over 3 weeks, despite taking steps to control it.
4. Any child or staff member is hospitalised or has died with group A Strep (GAS) infection

If you meet any of the criteria listed above then please call the new national helpline which has been set up.

Please continue to report all cases to us via the School and setting reporting form and if you require any advice or support please email to Covid19@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Thanks to all those who attended the webinar on Thursday – we will be producing an FAQ document and circulating this week along with other useful resources.

 Key Symptoms of Scarlet Fever

• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fever
• A fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel.
• On darker skin the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.
• Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications, such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.
• If the child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

Key Messages: Action

As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 if or your GP if:

• your child is getting worse
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
• your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
• your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• your child is very tired or irritable

Key Messages: Action

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing –you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Other useful information

1. NHS Choices https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/
2. UKHSA Scarlet Fever Frequently Asked Questions https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scarlet-fever-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment

The Cheshire East winter 2022 holiday activity programme is now live!!

Cheshire East Council has teamed up with a number of local schools, childcare and holiday club providers, community and voluntary organisations, to provide free fun activities during the winter holidays. The activities are available across Cheshire East for children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals (FSM). The holiday clubs will enable children and young people to enjoy fun activities with friends, whilst learning and developing new skills. The free places are funded by the Department for Education as part of the government’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme being delivered by local authorities across the country. Primary and secondary aged children and young people will be able to access a variety of free activity sessions during the winter school holidays, including specific provisions available for children with SEND or additional needs. While there is some variation, the majority of the winter 2022 clubs will run for four days and will offer 4 hours of activities on each day. The sessions will include a variety of fun activities, including sports, arts and crafts, baking/cooking, games, trips out and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day.  How do you book a place on the winter holiday club programme? Finding an activity to book onto is easy – You can view the list of our HAF providers by visiting the HAF Live Well Cheshire East directory page. On this page there is an interactive Google map identifying the locations of our HAF providers across Cheshire East, so you will be able to find providers who are local to where you live or want to visit Once you have found a provider you are interested in, to find out more about them and to book onto their sessions you can visit the Cheshire East Family Information Service Events page. Once you are on this page you can search the provider by name, read their offer and book your place by following their booking instructions. Alternatively, you can visit the Cheshire East Family Information Service Events page and browse the fantastic range of winter activities on offer (please note HAF providers start from the week commencing 19 December 2022). Our HAF Logo will help you identify the activities that are part of this exciting winter HAF programme. When you find an activity, you can follow the HAF providers instructions and book your place. Please be aware that places are limited, and spaces will go quickly. If you believe you are eligible for the free school meals allowance, but have not yet registered, you can apply for free school meals online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/fsm or phone 0300 123 5012 for support. There is also additional help available to families facing rising goods and energy costs, inflation and cost of living pressures. Please visit the government support with the cost of living website to see what support you could be eligible for.

Safeguarding Scenarios

The latest safeguarding scenarios are now available on our website.

Ofsted

EYFS Learning and Development

SEND

Cheshire East Chatters Spring 2023 Talking Walk-in dates for Parents

Please share the information below with parents. The Talking Walk-in's are opportunities for parents to speak with a Speech and Language Therapist to receive advice and guidance to support their child at home.

Early Years SEN consultation and application process

Some of our application processes have changed over this year. Keep yourself up to date with current processes and follow the link to SEN and disability in the early years (cheshireeast.gov.uk) for information on requests for consultation and funding applications/key dates.

SEN payments for children moving /reducing hours

If a child in receipt of Early Years SEN funding is leaving your setting or is reducing their hours please keep us informed. Email earlyyearssenhelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk so adjustments can be made prior to the January payment.

SEN Training

Please take a look at the training pages for any of your SEN needs and ensure this is shared with your staff.

Early Years and Childcare Training Resources (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

Parenting Journey

Continuous Professional Development

**Coming Soon** the Cheshire East Hub for Early Years   

In the New Year we will be launching our new training courses and consultations online shop – the Cheshire East Hub for Early Years – which will replace the existing Early Years online shop. By the end of February 2023 every Cheshire East childcare provider will have been sent an invitation to register on the new shop. It’s quick and easy and we ask you to complete the registration process promptly. Training courses and consultations being delivered in January and February 2023 will be available to book on the current shop however training courses and consultations being delivered from 1^st March 2023 onwards will be available only on the new shop and so it is imperative that you complete the registration process as soon as possible in order to be able to book places on any sessions you are interested in.

Please keep a look out in your inbox for your invitation to sign up. Email us at earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk if you have any queries or do not receive your invitation to register by 28^th February 2023.

Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP3)

Phase 3 of the Professional Development Programme (EYPDP3) launches in early 2023, building on the impact of PDP1 and PDP2 and rolling out to all 152 local authorities in England. As part of the wider Early Years Education Recovery package, PDP3 is an evidence-based programme aimed at helping practitioners to support the recovery and learning of the most disadvantaged children.  PDP3 comprises modules on communication and language, maths and personal, social and emotional development (PSED) through a combination of self-study and online webinars. There are 4 different possible start dates and delegates will be assigned to a cohort. Backfill support will be available to allow settings to bring in cover while their practitioners are attending webinars or training.

Programme Eligibility

Practitioners qualified to Level 3 who have not already completed PDP1 or PDP2 are eligible to apply. Settings will be allocated places based on meeting at least two of the following criteria:

▪ At least one child with an Education, Health and Care Plan or Disability Access Fund indicator

▪ At least one child in receipt of Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

▪ At least one disadvantaged two-year old

▪ EY providers where settings may not meet the above criteria, however, local intelligence suggests disadvantaged children would benefit from their practitioners receiving additional CPD support.

For further information about the training, funding or registering your interest, please  contact earlyyearspdp@edt.org.

If you would like a brochure or presentation with further information please contact earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk 

Spring Term Training

Please keep checking the Online Shop as new training and CPD opportunities for the Spring term are being advertised all the time covering a range of topics including Communication and Language, SEND, Safeguarding, 2 year old provision, Early Literacy, Behaviour, Emotional Wellbeing. Our January CPD offer includes:

New to the Role of the DSL, 20-Jan-23, 9.30am - 4pm, Oakenclough Children Centre

This 1 day training course includes safer recruitment and induction of new staff members; liaising with staff members and other agencies; recording of safeguarding information; escalation of concerns; online safety; allegations against staff and the role of the LADO and policy and procedure development.

Session 4 of our Leadership and Management Programme. 25-Jan-23 1.30-3.30pm or 6.30-8.30pm - Teams

During this session for PSED Champions Dr Julian Grenier will discuss embedding the 7 key features of effective practice, recognising the importance of PSE development, attachment and the role of the key person, self-regulation and the importance of leading by example.

Standing in the shoes of a two year old, 25^th Jan and 1^st Feb 23, 9am to 11am -Teams

This two part training is suitable for all practitioners who work with two year olds and will provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to work with this age group.  Session 1 ‘Getting to know me’ will cover attachments, supporting separations, keyperson and how I like to learn.  Session 2 ‘Building an environment that is right for me’, looks closely at the physical and emotional environment for twos.

WellComm, 26-Jan-23, 9.30am - 3pm - Oak Tree Children Centre, Crewe

During this full day session there will be opportunities to discuss communication and examine the rationale behind using WellComm to screen, track and monitor individual children. You will receive practical support on how to use and how to integrate WellComm activities into daily best practice within the setting and to discuss the practicalities of setting up targeted groups.

Understanding the EIF, 26-Jan-23, 3.30pm to 5.30pm - Teams

This two hour session will give an opportunity to consider Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework. The curriculum is discussed and consideration is given to how to integrate Intent, Implementation and Impact in to your setting. The Learning Walk is unpicked and Ofsted’s ‘Golden Thread’ is looked at in more detail and is made relatable to you and your provision.

Delivering Small Groups Language Interventions, 31-Jan-23, 9.30am-12pm – Teams

An opportunity to explore ways to set up small groups focussing on the development of attention and listening skills as well as language skills and vocabulary. You will also learn more about how to identify children for the groups as well as sharing thoughts and ideas around using a total communication approach to support children to engage with the activities.

To get more information or to book places on any of our courses, please log onto the Online Shop Early Years and Childcare Training Resources (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

Don't Forget!

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