 We are pleased to announce that we are now able to fully fund the level 3 SENCo accreditation starting this September.
We still have 7 places left. Full details can be found here. To register for your fully funded (free) place, please email eyworkforce@portsmouthcc.gov.uk before Monday 21 Sept. We will offer the remaining places out on a first come, first served basis. One free funded place per setting in the first instance. If you have already paid for a place and you are a Portsmouth setting, you will be refunded.
 We're delighted to launch our Early Years and Childcare Training Programme for Autumn 2026, packed with opportunities to inspire, develop and strengthen practice across the early years sector. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, expand your knowledge, connect with colleagues or support children more effectively, there's something for everyone.
Even better, many of our sessions are completely FREE!
What's Coming Up This Term?
- 08 September NEW! Wraparound Childcare: Physical Play Workshop (Free)
- 16 September New or Returning to Year R Cluster (Free)
- 16 September NEW! Meeting the DfE Nutrition Strategy Requirements
- 22 September Termly Provider Briefing (Free)
- 23 September Level 3 SENCO Accredited Training Course - Day 1
- 30 September PSCP Basic Awareness Safeguarding Children Training (Free)
- 08 October Supporting Children Learning English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- 13 October SENCO Network Meeting (Free)
- 20 October Advanced LADO Training (Free)
- 20 October EYFS Managers in Schools Cluster (Free)
- 09 November Level 2 SEND Accredited Training Course - Day 1 (Daytime Sessions)
- 12 November EY SENCO Professional Forum Meeting (Free)
- 17 November NEW! Meeting DfE Climate Action Requirements
- 19 November I Spy Ofsted! (Free)
- 24 November EY and Portage: Practical SEN Strategies - Developing Attention and Interaction Skills
- 03 December EY and Portage: Practical SEN Strategies - Using Visuals to Support Language and Communication
- 08 December Beyond the Expected (formerly Getting to Good) (Free)
- 15 December Learning and Development in the EYFS
Invest in Your Team's Professional Development
Our training programme is designed to provide practical strategies, up-to-date guidance and valuable networking opportunities that can make a real difference to outcomes for children and families.
For full course details and booking information, visit the Portsmouth Traded Services website or contact us at eyworkforce@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Training Delivered at Your Setting
Did you know that many of our courses can be delivered directly at your setting?
If you're looking for a convenient way to develop your whole team, we can deliver bespoke training at a date and time that suits you. A charge applies for this service. To discuss your requirements, please email eyworkforce@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Autumn programme and supporting your ongoing professional journey throughout the year.
Book early to secure your place and make the most of these fantastic development opportunities!
 Would you like to build your knowledge and confidence in supporting children with SEND? The Early Years level 2 SEND training course is now open for bookings. This accredited programme explores child development, SEND support, personalised planning and effective partnership working, leading to a Level 2 CACHE qualification.
Both daytime face-to-face and evening Teams-based courses are available, providing flexible options for practitioners and childminders.
 From 1 September, the Portage Service introduced a new referral form, which replaces the current version available on the Portsmouth Local Offer website.
To support a smooth transition, referrals submitted using the current form will continue to be accepted until Friday 23 October 2026. After this date, only referrals submitted using the new form will be accepted.
Before making a referral, we encourage practitioners to review the Portage information and referral criteria on the Local Offer website.
Please ensure that all colleagues involved in making Portage referrals are aware of this change and begin using the new form from 1 September.
 We're always delighted to hear how Portsmouth settings are using funding opportunities to enhance children's experiences. Wind in the Willows has recently invested in a fantastic new soft play unit, creating even more opportunities for children to learn, develop and thrive through play. Karen Potter, Owner/Director, shares the positive impact this has had on the children in their setting.
"We received a contribution from capital grant funding and the remainder has been funded through EYPP and fundraising and a strict setting savings plan!
This additional unit supports our children's development by offering a safe and cushioned environment that encourages individuals to explore at their own pace. Encouraging physical movement in a low stress space, our children can explore and build their confidence in their own abilities by simply crawling, climbing, jumping and navigating their way through the padded areas safely, thus building their core strength and coordination. Social development is supported by children playing with and playing alongside their peers, communicating within familiar layouts, offering opportunities to rest and stretch accordingly".
Karen Potter BA Hons, Owner/Director, Wind in the Willows
|
 Updated EYFS frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers were published in July 2026. Those updated EYFS frameworks come into force from 1 September 2026. From this date both frameworks:
- Bring explicit wording on the safer sleep requirements into the main body of the EYFS, so that providers do not need to refer out to separate guidance.
- Prohibit the provision of registered childcare from any premises where a banned dog breed is kept or present.
- Require providers to inform Ofsted or their childminder agency (CMA) of allegations of ‘harm’ (instead of ‘serious harm’) by anyone living, working, or looking after children at the premises.
- Require enhanced criminal records and children’s barred list checks for volunteers (including those who are supervised) and prevent new employees from commencing employment before receiving their check and letter of suitability (if relevant).
- Amend the requirements for what providers must tell staff they have to disclose as part of information that may affect their suitability to work with children - such as arrests, charges, convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings (whether received before or during their employment at the setting).
- The group and school-based version also requires providers of childcare on domestic premises to notify Ofsted or their CMA of changes to persons aged 16 or over living or working at the premises. This aligns with existing requirements for childminders.
Children’s screen use in early years settings
Both frameworks also require providers to have regard to screen use guidance for early years settings published in July 2026. The screen use guidance builds on the guidance for parents published in March 2026 and has been produced with contributions from sector experts including the Digital Standards Early Years Action Group and Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group.
Other changes to the EYFS
Other minor clarificatory changes have been made to both new frameworks. These are mainly to make the existing requirements clearer for providers. A summary of the EYFS changes can also be found on Help for Early Years Providers.
Changes to registration requirements - in relation to banned dog breeds
In addition to the changes to the EYFS frameworks outlined above, the department has also updated registration requirements for early years settings as follows:
- Nannies will be prohibited from taking a banned dog breed onto a premises where they are providing childcare and will be required to take reasonable steps to avoid banned dog breeds being present.
- All other voluntarily registered, Early Years and Later Years providers will be prohibited from providing registered childcare from any premises where a banned dog breed is kept or present.
Early years qualifications requirements and standards
The Early Years Qualifications Requirements and Standards document has also been updated from 1 September 2026, to clarify the Level 2 English requirements.
 Practitioners may wish to use and share these resources with parents, alongside the sector-led Potty Training Guide, developed with early years and health experts.
Resources
 Coram PACEY has been working closely with Ofsted as it implements the changes to early years inspections, particularly in helping them understand the nuances of childminder inspections and making improvements to childminders’ experiences.
They are collecting feedback from childminders in England who have been inspected by Ofsted under the new inspection framework. This will help us work with Ofsted to monitor childminders’ inspection experiences, improve support for childminders around inspections and ensure the system is fair and consistent.
Childminders: please complete the survey if you have had an inspection since the new framework took effect (10 November 2025).
 Don’t miss out on Early Years events and resources as part of the final term of the National Year of Reading!
Discover how you can make the most of your local communities to support the development of a reading for pleasure culture in the early years with brand-new free resources, CPD and events.
A taste of what’s on offer:
- A lively child-facing event blending imaginative storytelling with big, joyful movement. More details to be released soon.
Access the full Early Years offer this Autumn Term and catch up on previous terms’ content, all through the free and flexible platform.
If you’re already taking part, log in here and continue exploring.
If you’re new, it's never too late to join. Sign up here for a guided journey of content that supports you to build and grow a reading for pleasure culture in your setting.
 The Department for Education is encouraging eligible early years settings and childminders to access targeted support through the Early Years Stronger Practice Advisor (EYSPA) Programme.
Delivered by the Thames Valley and Solent Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, the programme offers bespoke support to help strengthen practice, build confidence and improve outcomes for children. Settings with high numbers of children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), the Early Learning for 2-Year-Olds Offer, children with SEND, and other vulnerable children are encouraged to apply. Settings with recent Ofsted judgements of Requires Improvement, Inadequate, Needs Attention or Urgent Improvement are also eligible.
For group-based settings, successful applicants will receive 3 to 4 full working days of in-person coaching and improvement support from an EYSPA over one school term.
For childminders, successful applicants will join a small support cluster and receive 4 days of targeted support over one term, delivered online and/or in person depending on location.
Please take a look at the flyers below to learn more about the support available and eligibility criteria.
We encourage eligible providers to explore this opportunity and access the support available to help further develop high-quality early years provision.
|
