Early Years Bulletin 02.09.19

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Early years bulletin

2 September 2019

Exploring the new Ofsted education inspection framework

Free briefing sessions for Portsmouth early years providers

Ofsted's new inspection framework for early years providers launches in September 2019. The Early Years and Childcare Service is offering a free briefing to childminders, leaders and managers of early years settings. Come along to find out the key messages surrounding the new framework.  This will be your opportunity to explore the new judgement descriptors, consider how you are meeting these and prepare for your next Ofsted inspection.

Briefings are being held on:

Date: Monday 9 September 2019
Time: 9.30am - 11.00am
Venue: Conference Room A, Civic Offices

Date: Tuesday 1 October 2019
Time: 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Venue: TBC

Email eydelivery@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to book your place on one of the briefings. 
Maximum 2 people per early years setting.

Please book early to avoid disappointment!


Spotlight on Good Practice

EY

Brambles Nursery hosted a spotlight on good practice session in April. They discussed their approach to continuous provision and showed off resources which support an enabling environment for all children. They discussed the impact this has on children's ability to safely and independently explore their setting. The session was very informative and showcased the fantastic provision at the Brambles that includes lots of natural, open ended resources. In particular, they successfully demonstrated that not all resources need to be from expensive equipment.

EY

Spotlight on good practice sessions on a variety of themes will continue in the new early years training centre programme at a different setting around the city as part of membership packages or spot purchases.


New Early Years Practitioner (Level 2) Qualifications

From 1 September 2019 anyone wanting to work in the level 2 ratios of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) must take a qualification that meets the new level 2 Early Years Practitioner (EYP) criteria.

The DfE worked with sector experts to develop the criteria and also held a 12 week public consultation. The EYP criteria was published in 2018. Using the new criteria, awarding organisations have been developing new level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualifications.  They will be available to students and trainees from 1 September 2019, as standalone qualifications or as part of the Children and Young People’s Workforce Intermediate apprenticeship framework (early years pathway). The framework will be updated as of 1 September 2019 to show the new EYP qualifications.

The new level 2 EYP qualifications (approved by DfE as meeting the EYP criteria) are shown on the Early Years Qualification List.

Level 2 qualifications that practitioners started or achieved before 1 September 2019 will still be recognised.

For more information on this and the level 2 EYP qualifications, click here.


Together for Twos

Pacey

Together for Twos: Online resources to support two year olds

As part of PACEY’s Together for Twos project, they have launched a new two-year-olds area of the website where practitioners can explore a collection of ideas, inspiration and tools to help them reflect on and extend their practice working with toddlers.

From top tips and videos, to case studies and digital downloads there is something useful for all practitioners to help develop their two-year-old provision.

Theresa Johnson, Together for Twos project manager, comments on the new resources:
“PACEY are delighted to be able to share a range of resources aimed at supporting the valuable work you do when working with two year olds and their families. Whether you are currently delivering the early years entitlement or if it’s something you are considering you'll find practical tips here to support you. We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for further resources that can support you in your valuable work, so please do let us know.”


Provider Portal

Important Message

Please be aware that due to an upgrade of the Capita system the Provider Portal will not be available for use on Monday 2 September 2019 and Tuesday 3 September 2019.

We will notify you to confirm system availability after the upgrade has been successfully completed. 

Early Years Funding Team


Staff Wellbeing

EY

As the new Ofsted inspection framework comes into forces, it's worth reviewing how well you value and look after your staff. Staff at one Portsmouth setting recently benefited from a team-building and wellbeing day. They participated in an 'escape room' experience and enjoyed team building activities at Portsmouth Outdoor Activity Centre. This is just one example of how the setting are supporting and valuing their staff and encouraging a team approach between all members of the team.


Safeguarding Training

EY

The basic safeguarding awareness training offered by Portsmouth's Safeguarding Children's Partnership is available through our early years training centre. This is free of charge for up to 2 delegates per setting per course and can be accessed via booking through our early years training centre here. The trainers who deliver this are members of the early years team and are members of the local safeguarding partnership training pool.

If you want to train more staff (e.g. run an inset day for your setting), a member of our team can deliver the full course in your setting for a cost per setting of £145 for members or £180 for non-members.

Additional safeguarding training is also available by booking directly with the local safeguarding children's board partnership. Please note that there is a charge made for all LSCP training booked directly with them other than the restorative practice training. Therefore, any basic awareness booked via them will incur a £30 charge per delegate that cannot be refunded. Bookings for the safeguarding partnership training are made online and can be found via the following link here.

PSCP

Top Tips for Talking - September

Early Years

Please print and display September's Top Tip for Talking poster. This is available on the Early Years Training and Development Centre under the 'resources tab'.

Download September's Top Tip


Contact us...

The Early Years and Childcare Service have a dedicated telephone number to be used if you need to speak to a member of the team. Contact us on 023 9284 1974.

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