Welcome to the latest edition of the newsletter for Early Years providers from North Lincolnshire Council’s Early Years and Family Information Service teams.

Important: New section on Provider Portal for all providers

All providers are reminded of the requirement to keep information on their services up-to-date with the Family Information Service so correct information is given to parents and carers looking for childcare.  This is done via the ‘Self Update’ section on the Provider Portal and is for all childcare providers not just those offering the funding.

Simply log in to the Provider Portal, click on the ‘Self Update’ link and then on your provider name to see a list of services you are responsible for. Click on each service name in turn and work through the seven pages of information to check all remains correct. It should only take five minutes. You can enter any changes in the appropriate field or in the ‘Comments for LA’ box and click on ‘Submit’ at the bottom of each page.

The last page ‘Additional information’ is a brand new section where you can share details of your social media accounts, tell us whether you offer Tax Free Childcare or simply tick a box to tell us you have been on and checked your information and no changes are required at this time – doing this means we do not have to chase you for updates and we can be confident the information we provide to the public is up-to-date in line with our statutory duties.

Providers are encouraged to check the portal regularly and preferably monthly to update their vacancies and check for any other changes.

If you have any issues with accessing the ‘Self Update’ portal please call us during office hours on 01724 296629 or email fis@northlincs.gov.uk 

New Facebook group for our childminders

The Family Information Service has created a new Facebook group to allow us to communicate more effectively with our childminders.

You can request to join the closed group using the following link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/434171360471546/

We intend to use the group to contact childminders where we are looking for childcare for a particular family and to share important updates.  We would also encourage you to share your own good practice with other childminders in the group in line with the rules of the group which you can read before signing up.  

We hope to see lots of you over there very soon!

Kids Walk

On Wednesday 26 June, Brake’s Kids Walk will be taking place with Shaun the Sheep. Shaun is supporting Brake to call on grownups to make their streets safer and healthier for everyone. The walk, co-ordinated by Brake, the road safety charity and sponsored by Ocado Foundation, promotes road safety and the health and planet-saving benefits of walking whilst getting the children to raise awareness of important road safety messages in their community: Foot paths Cycle Paths Safe places to cross the road Slow traffic Clean air Educators can register to receive their free action pack full of posters, lesson plans and activities, featuring Shaun the Sheep and his friends, to help their school get involved. For more information visit brakezebras.org/kidswalk or email kidswalk@brake.org.uk.

Domestic Abuse Awareness Training (From May 2019)

These courses are aimed at people who work within organisations and voluntary groups based in North Lincolnshire, to provide greater awareness of Domestic Abuse.
Note: You must have completed Level 1 training with The Blue Door prior to undertaking Level 2 or 3 training

Booking forms can be requested by contacting info@thebluedoor.org or call on 0800 197 4787 and these are to be returned to the same email.

All Training will be held at the Blue Door, 26 – 28 Laneham Street, Scunthorpe, DN15 6PB, there is a public car park to the rear of the premises – see our booking form for further information.

*This course is aimed at individuals who have been given additional responsibilities within their organisation as the nominated point of contact for domestic abuse related issues/concerns.