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Bulletin 379
23 February 2026
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Midterm Leavers
If you have any children leaving your setting during the term, please ensure you remove them from your live register on or after their final day.
- Click ‘View Child’
- ‘Remove’
- Enter their leave date and the number of weeks funding you are claiming for the term
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Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Parent Survey
We would like to say thank you to all of the providers who have completed interviews/due to complete interviews for the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment with Place Group. Your support is appreciated.
If you have any questions, please contact the Early Years and Childcare Team: Earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk
To also assist with the Sufficiency Assessment, please reshare the below social media post with your parents so that their childcare needs can be captured:
 Are you a parent who uses, or wants to use, early years childcare? Or do you have a school-aged child who uses, or may use, a before-school or after-school club or holiday club?
Cheshire East wants to hear your thoughts on early years childcare and wraparound childcare for any of your children aged 0-14 years old, or up to 25 years old if they have a special educational need or disability (SEND).
To tell the council about your childcare needs, simply complete this survey before Wednesday 25th February 2026: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CheshireEast-CSA2026-Parents/
If you have any questions about the local authorities’ responsibility to provide sufficient childcare, or the purpose of this survey, you can contact: Earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Any feedback received will be gratefully appreciated.
Renaming of the 15-hour entitlement for families receiving additional forms of support
The DfE have renamed the 15-hour entitlement, in response to feedback that it created stigma and confusion. The entitlement will now be known as ‘Early Learning for 2-year-olds’. This will help make information about early education entitlements accessible and consistent for users.
They are working with local authorities and encouraging the swift transition to adopt the new name to support consistency within settings and with parents.
Do Something Big case studies
The Department for Education's Do Something Big campaign is looking for early years professionals to share their experiences. They're building a bank of case studies from people across all roles and settings – whether you're a childminder, work in an independent nursery, or are part of a larger organisation.
There are different ways to contribute, and the DfE campaign team will work with you to find a suitable format. Options include:
- Providing a quote about your career in early years
- Taking part in social media content
- Participating in media interviews
There are opportunities throughout the year, so once you've submitted your form, the team will keep your details on file and get in touch when something suitable arises.
If you or someone you know is interested, please complete the Do Something Big case study form: https://forms.office.com/e/HJMeGY3bv9
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Early Years Section 11 Safeguarding Audit
‘Working together to safeguard children’ 2023 makes clear the statutory duties for early years providers with regards to the safeguarding requirements for your provision.
To enable us to support you with these requirements, we have put together a short safeguarding audit to capture what you have in place in your provision. This has been emailed directly to each setting.
School managed or governor run provision do not need to complete this audit as schools complete separate Safeguarding Audits.
Please complete the audit in full by Friday 13 March 2026.
If you have not received the audit email please contact: earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Ensuring details for those legally responsible for childcare providers are correct with Ofsted
It is essential that all providers operating with a committee or governing body keep their registered details with Ofsted up to date.
This is a statutory requirement under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which states:
3.102 All registered early years providers must notify Ofsted where the childcare is provided by a partnership, body corporate or unincorporated association whose sole or main purpose is the provision of childcare, any change to the individuals who are partners in, or a director, secretary or other officer or members of its governing body.
If your setting is run by a committee, trustees or directors you must ensure that:
- All current members are correctly listed with Ofsted.
- All previous or outgoing members have been formally removed from your registration.
- Any new members have completed the required EY2 declaration and undergone suitability checks.
Failing to update these details may result in non‑compliance with registration requirements, which can affect inspection outcomes and regulatory status.
Apply to join a nursery or other daycare organisation (EY2) - GOV.UK
Please note that we have training for Managers and Committee members on 16 March Roles and Responsibilities of an Early Years Committee - 16th March 2026 | Chess Early Years Training Hub
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 Consultation
The consultation for KCSiE 2026 has now been published, including proposed updates to the gender‑questioning guidance.
Keeping children safe in education: 2026 proposed revisions - Department for Education - Citizen Space
Government to publish new gender guidance for schools - GOV.UK
We’ll begin reviewing the changes and preparing how best to support you with any updates to processes, documents, and practice. However, it’s really important that you also have the opportunity to contribute to the consultation, given your day‑to‑day experience as DSLs.
The consultation is open until 22 April, so there is plenty of time to respond.
Protocol on Professional Visitors to Schools and Settings
To access an updated guidance on the protocol for professional visitors to schools and settings, please click on the button below, you will find this in the 'Supporting Documents' section.
Please could you make anyone who is working in the reception area aware of this guidance to avoid delays in family help workers, social workers etc. being able to attend appointments with children.
As detailed in KCSiE, as long as they have their professional identification, they do not need to request the DBS certificate or number of Cheshire East staff.
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New employer grant to boost quality in early years education
The DfE published a press release on Friday 13 February about a new package of support that will help early years settings strengthen their workforce and improve outcomes for children from the very start.
Click on the button below to read the press release.
Support for early years providers on Toilet Training
Kindred2 have developed a Help for early years providers: Toilet training guidance to compliment the Potty Training guide for parents/carers. The early years provider guides offers clear and practical support for settings on how to support toilet training consistently in partnership with families.
Starting Reception
The starting reception information from Kindred2 is available for early years providers to share with parents/carers.
Peppa Pig help parents get children ‘school ready’
 The DfE have partnered with Hasbro, bringing the Peppa Pig family into the heart of the Best Start in Life campaign with NHS-approved early years advice to parents, through the government’s online hub for families.
You can watch the video on getting children ‘school ready’ via the Muddy Puddle Parenting YouTube channel.
Olivia Bailey, Minister for Early Education said:
“Through our Plan for Change, we want to support families to get a record share of children school-ready by the age of five. Peppa Pig has been part of family life for a generation. When parents are already turning to her world for comfort, routine and reassurance, it makes sense to meet them there.”
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The Graduated Approach and OAIP training recording
On 30th January, Gary Aubin delivered a training session on The Graduated Approach and Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP).
This training looked at the role of OAIP in supporting every setting and every practitioner to deliver the best provision possible for children who have, or may have, SEND. Gary talked about how settings embed an inclusive culture, including through strategies that can support children in the EYFS.
If you missed the training and would like to view the recording, we have sent the link to all early years providers by email.
Please email earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk to request the link if you haven't received it.
SEND Drop-In session
The Portage, Quality and Inclusion Team are running SEND drop-in sessions for our Early Years settings the first Monday of every month.
The next session is as follows:
- Monday 2nd March 17:00 – 18:00 on Microsoft Teams – Our PQUIP's will be available online but there will be no topic discussion due to the SENCO Network later that evening
Email earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk to request the Teams link if you are available to attend. Please note: if you have received the link before, this will work for all upcoming sessions.
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Early Years SENIF outstanding spring term payments
All Spring term funding payments for SENIF and EHCP have been requested, however, if you have not received these and there are any amounts outstanding owing for Spring term please can you email EarlyYearsSenHelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk as soon as possible so this can be followed up and all payments completed for the end of the financial year.
Early Years SENIF/EHCP funding summer term 2026 - DocuSign
New SENIF and EHCP DocuSign schedules for any pre-agreed funding allocations will be sent out in the new financial year 2026/2027 following completion of your FEEE contract.
Early Years SENIF/EHCP funding summer term 2026 – DocuSign and Payments
If you have an agreed amount of SENIF or EHCP funding awarded for summer term 2026 (please check your letters for SENIF) you do not need to apply for funding for summer term (unless you are requesting additional support due to increased need/attendance hours; please make this explicit on your application). If you are uncertain whether you need to apply for further SENIF, would like a copy of a previous letter or would like confirmation of an amount allocated for children with an EHCP please email EarlyYearsSenHelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk or ring 01625 374170 prior to submitting an application.
Payments will be made in April following completion of DocuSign schedules. FEEE attendance is checked for each child prior to making payment; SENIF and EHCP funding is based on FEEE hours attendance. If you are expecting a child to return and have completed FEEE attendance but this unexpectedly changes please email EarlyYearsSenHelpline@cheshireeast.gov.uk to avoid any overpayments.
Deadline for SENIF applications for March 2026 is Tuesday 3rd March 4:30pm. Please ensure all plans and tracking are up to date and the provision map is included with the documents – the template can be found on the link with all deadline dates and feedback dates: SEND Inclusion Funding
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 Cheshire East Family Hubs Local Plan Collaborative Events 2026
Thank you to those who have already joined us for our co-production Best Start Local Area Plan Events in Crewe and Macclesfield. There are still places available for our forthcoming events in Wilmslow and Middlewich and we are keen to include as many of you as possible.
The government’s Plan for Change sets an ambitious mission: to ensure every child has the best start in life and is ready to learn by the time they start school. By 2028, the aim is for a record 75% of children to reach a good level of development by the end of reception.
This event is an opportunity for schools, early years settings, and partners to come together to:
- Explore what the Best Start in Life mission means for our local area.
- Share ideas and expertise to shape how we deliver support for families and children.
- Strengthen collaboration between education, health, and community services.
Your input is vital in helping us break down barriers to opportunity and ensure every child can grow, play, learn, and thrive.
Our Local Plan will mirror our locality structure in Cheshire East, so please book onto the event which is taking place in your area:
N1 – Wilmslow and Knutsford/Congleton and Holmes Chapel
Tuesday 24th February, 1pm-3pm, Oakenclough Family Hub
S2 – Sandbach, Middlewich and Alsager/Crewe North
Monday 2nd March, 10am-12pm, Middlewich Canalside Conference Centre
This event for our colleagues from schools and settings is tailored towards Headteachers, Deputy or Assistant Headteachers and EYFS Leads.
To book your place please complete the form at: Cheshire East Family Hubs Local Plan Collaborative Events 2026 – Fill in form
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Spring Term Training available on the Early Years Training Hub
The ChESS Early Years Training Hub has been updated with lots of training opportunities for the spring term, please take a look and book on now!
Upcoming training next week:
SENCO Network - 2nd March 2026 18:30 - 20:00 (Microsoft Teams)
These network sessions are intended to further develop your understanding, knowledge and skills as SENCO. At these meetings there will be opportunities for discussion with other SENCO’s, networking, sharing of effective practice/materials, input from other agencies and updates on new legislation/initiatives. Attendance at each termly network is highly recommended to keep your SEND knowledge up to date.
Safer Recruitment - 3rd March 2026 9:30 - 16:00 (Oakenclough Family Hub)
Childcare settings share with others a duty to safeguard the children in their care. Implementing safer recruitment practices is one way of discharging this safeguarding obligation. Keeping Children Safe in Education recommends that at least one of the persons who conducts an interview has completed safer recruitment training. This one-day course gives childcare providers, including childminders who employ assistants, information and understanding they need to recruit safely and comply with relevant statutory guidance. This course covers safer recruitment and the wider context of safeguarding, the prevalence of abuse and profile of abusers, important features of a safer recruitment process including interview and selection, setting acceptable standards of behaviour and maintaining an ongoing culture of vigilance.
Cyber Security in Early Years Settings - 4th March 2026 9:30 - 11:30 (Microsoft Teams)
This two-hour interactive training course supports Early Years settings to navigate sector-specific digital threats. We will explore cyber security practice, governance and culture through relevant scenarios, helping you to protect your setting's data and respond confidently to incidents. We will also consider how best to manage your professional digital footprint.
DSL Cluster - 4th March 2026 18:30 - 20:30 or 5th March 2026 9:30 - 11:30 (Microsoft Teams)
These virtual sessions are intended to further develop your DSL's understanding, knowledge and skills. Childminders are the DSL for their setting. At these meetings there will be opportunities for discussion with other leads, networking, sharing of effective practice/materials, input from other agencies and updates on new legislation/initiatives. Attendance at each termly cluster is highly recommended to keep your safeguarding knowledge up to date.
What is my behaviour trying to tell you? - 5th March 2026 18:30 - 20:30 (Microsoft Teams)
This training is suitable for all practitioners who work in early years and will provide the skills and knowledge to develop your understanding of children’s social and emotional needs. This session will explore how we can be curious about behaviours and what might be affecting the child at that given time and build a supportive, appropriate curriculum using the EYFS and development matters as a guide. We will also consider current strategies and approaches to ensure they meet the needs of all children, embed behaviour conversations in your practice and develop a whole setting approach to supporting children’s behaviour.
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