This term you will be starting to think about transitions for children moving on from your setting to school nursery and reception in September 2023. The process will remain the same as last year.

Please find the guidance and templates below:

Universal One Page Transition to School Summary 2023

Transferring Records to School Checklist

Transferring Records to School Process

Child Protection record file transfer

Other documents you might find useful:

RAC Information for parents

Successful transition 2023

A transition letter which will include the school EYFS lead contact details will be sent to you via email shortly.

Arrangements for children with SEND that are moving to new placements in September 2023

Guidance with accompanying documents and templates are now available to support with the planning and preparation of transitions for children with SEND moving on to new placements in September 2023.

Please read the guidance information:

• Guidance – Transition Arrangements for Children on SEND Support Register Summer 2023

Other documents and templates for your reference:

• Transition EY SEND – Universal – EY SEND Individual Tracker – SEND Specific Information (Tab 1 – 3)
• Transition EY SEND – Universal - Assess Birth to 5 Matters – SEND Specific Information (Tab 1 – 3)
• Transition EY SEND – Parent Carer Consent Form Summer 2023
• Transition EY SEND – SENCO Prompt Sheet for Discussions with School SENCO Summer 2023

If you have any questions about transition arrangements for children with SEND, please contact eysenteam@hounslow.gov.uk or if you have an attached Early Years SEN Advisory Teacher, you can email them directly.

Additional Funding Streams (Disability Access Fund and SEN Inclusion Fund)

The process for both the additional funding streams, Disability Access Fund and SEN Inclusion Fund, are changing. Information on each funding stream is available on the Hounslow Local Offer.

Please read information for changes to the process for:

• Disability Access Fund Process – April 2023

Please read information for changes to the process for:

• SEN Inclusion Fund Process – April 2023

SEN Inclusion Fund Panels - Summer Term 2023:

• Tuesday, 6 June 2023 will be the last panel in which requests submitted via the Synergy Provider Portal will be considered
• Tuesday, 4 July 2023 will be a panel to discuss requests for funding for the academic year 2023-2024. This may be for eligible children that are due to stay in their current setting or are moving on to nursery placements in school.  If a request is agreed, funding will not be released until confirmation is given in September 2023 that the child has returned to setting and/or on school roll.

Return of SEN Inclusion Fund Review Document and Provision Map(s):

• A reminder that the return date for SEN Inclusion Fund Review Document(s) and Provision Map(s) is Friday, 7 July 2023.
• The return of these will be accepted either via the Synergy Provider Portal or emailed to seninclusionfunding@hounslow.gov.uk. If sending via email, documents must be sent password protected. 

If you have any questions or need to seek further clarification on any of the above, please email seninclusionfunding@hounslow.gov.uk.

The Family Information Service has created an information page on the Hounslow Family Service Directory for you to find out how to sign-up to offer Tax Free Childcare (TFC).  The page also shows some ideas on how to promote the scheme to your working parents - Hounslow Family Service Directory (FSD).

The Family Information Service would like to put more ideas on the FSD so ask that you share your experience of signing up to offer TFC, how you promote it to parents etc. or if you have any examples of parents experiences of using TFC. Please share any experiences by emailing fis@hounslow.gov.uk

See some quotes below that have been shared already:

“I have used TFC for my child for 3 years and it is fantastic. Once you have created a government gateway account it is simple. I am now using it as a nursery manager, and we have no problems. Parents are very happy with the choices on offer”

“I use Childcare Choices as a signpost for parents via Facebook, invoices, emails and parent noticeboards as well as a FAQ sheet I produced myself.”

“I was getting TFC for my 3 year old and didn’t realise I could get it for my other children aged 1 and 6 years. I’m really thankful to my Nursery Manager for letting me know.”

Since 2013, the Early Years & Childcare Service has been receiving a list of disadvantaged 2 year olds from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) seven times a year. 

In August 2014, the number of families on the list peaked at 1575.  It then stayed around the 1000 mark for a number of years but in September 2022, it reduced to 949 and has been going down slowly ever since.  This April, the list had 781 families on it – you can see the number by Ward in the table by clicking the button below.

To support disadvantaged families, as well as to boost your occupancy, please do everything you can to promote the fact you offer places to disadvantaged 2 year olds e.g:

• make it clear on your website you offer funded places
• put it on your social media pages
• hand out leaflets in areas where families congregate i.e. school entrances
• ask your local library or place of worship if they have a notice board where they allow fliers.  Many toddler groups are held in places of worship
• use the Next Door app to advertise. This is a free service for local communities

Please keep signposting the parents to check their eligibility on Hounslow Family Services Directory.  Let’s all work together to make sure all eligible 2 year olds don’t miss out on a free/funded childcare place.