Hounslow have unveiled a new business support programme for companies from start-ups to small and medium size Enterprises to help them sustain themselves during the current economic challenges.

For further information, please read the information on the Hounslow Council website.

We have updated the Hounslow safeguarding contacts documents to reflect the LADO change, effective from 6 November 2023. Grace Murphy is returning to the LADO role and Natasha Hofmans is leaving the interim post. It is advisable to update your safeguarding boards and files with the revised documents below.

Safeguarding Key Contacts

LBH Safeguarding Contacts

Free to access, government funded CPD for Early Years practitioners and childminders starting this January

Forming part of the government's Early Years Education recovery package to support the Early Years sector post-pandemic, the Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP) is a fantastic opportunity to access free CPD for practitioners and childminders in England.

It is recommended by 87% of Early Years practitioners currently on the programme.

The EYPDP support practitioners with the practical skills and tools to support the unique development needs of children aged 2-4 years.

Don't miss out. Recruitment for the January cohort of the programme is now open with places filling up fast. Register your interest today by clicking here.

This is an essential read

This document sets out the government’s official response to the consultation on changes to the EYFS, held between 31 May and 26 July 2023.

This consultation asked for views on a range of proposals to remove burdens and offer more flexibility for providers within the EYFS, while maintaining quality and safety standards. The consultation also proposed making the framework easier for all practitioners to use, through the creation of streamlined childminder and group and school-based provider versions of framework.

See the full response here

IFF Research have conducted an evaluation of the early education reforms made to the EYFS in 2021, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE).

The report uses qualitative research and surveys to outline how the reforms have been integrated into practice across the sector.

Please find a summary of the findings below

Changes made following the reforms

Most settings made changes to their curriculum and learning and development approach by putting less focus on writing observations and tracking and spending more time interacting and being with their children.

Impact of the reforms

Most settings found that the reforms have had a positive impact on children’s outcomes as these have led to better quality interactions with their children.

Conclusions

The reforms have been well received and most found implementation easy. In particular, there has been:

• Better quality interactions with staff
• More emphasis on communication and language
• Improved personal, social and emotional development

Potential areas for further consideration include:

• Supporting children with SEND and other additional needs
• Transition between EYFS and Key Stage 1

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards that all providers in England must meet to ensure that children learn, develop and are kept healthy and safe. On 31 May 2023, the government launched a public consultation on a number of proposed changes to the EYFS, with an aim to remove burdens and offer more flexibility for providers, whilst maintaining quality and safety standards.

A survey ran alongside the consultation, asking providers whether they thought that they would adopt the changes proposed in the consultation, and if so, what impact they thought that this might have on their provision.