The actual headcount form for the Autumn term needs to be completed by the 15th of September.
We are thrilled to announce that Begin Bright has taken over the Foundation Years platform.
Begin Bright, a Cognition Learning Group company, is a global provider of early years education services. Established in 2008, Begin Bright’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and equip them with the skills and confidence to foster a lifelong love of learning.
From education programmes to early years consulting services, Begin Bright is a trusted government partner, supporting students, parents, teachers and other early education professionals. With a strong presence in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, we proudly deliver innovative early years education solutions around the world.
We are committed to making the Foundation Years platform a cornerstone of support and collaboration for the early years community.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to the Begin Bright Foundation Years team via email at foundationyears@beginbright.com.
As the summer holidays begin, Shropshire Council has a variety of activities and events for all ages and interests, from libraries and leisure centres to country parks and museums. Here are some of the highlights and where to find more information.
Libraries Explore our libraries where, as well as borrowing books, using library computers (or wi-fi), there are all sorts of events and activities (many of which are free) to appeal to people of all ages. From book clubs, scrabble groups and Rhyme Time, to Lego Clubs, crafting workshops and advice sessions.
Severn Valley Country Park is the place to go for nature lovers and adventure seekers. You can enjoy Nordic Walking, park runs, woodland Olympics, craft sessions, Dinosaur Day, Scavenger hunt and mini raft building. There is also a performance of The Importance of Being Earnest in the park.
Follow this link for a list of our other country parks as well as information about Shropshire’s great outdoors.
Shropshire museums and art galleries are full of culture and history, and they also have plenty of events to keep you entertained and inspired. You can try drawing and painting taster sessions, walking tours of Shrewsbury, an Olympic themed tour of Much Wenlock, Mini Mammoth experience for the under 5’s, regular LGBTQ+ sessions, and the ever-popular Shrewsbury Arts Trail.
If you want to stay fit and healthy, you can book your sessions at your local leisure centre through the Shropshire Leisure Time app. You can access a range of facilities and classes, from swimming and gym to yoga and dance.
And if you’re visiting the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre in Shrewsbury, why not pop into the new look Quarry Kitchen Café.
Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury has a packed schedule of performances over the summer including open-air theatre in the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle.
If movies are more your thing then the OMH in Shrewsbury has a full and varied schedule of screenings throughout the summer.
If you’re the parent of a young person with a disability, check out our local offer of short breaks and activities – not just over the summer holidays but all year round.
Alternatively, pay a visit to our Family Information Service webpage which has a lot of useful links and information for families whatever your circumstances
The Education Group Access Pass (formerly known as Education Group Membership) is specially designed to encourage access to National Trust places for groups whose students or members are in full-time or early years education. It includes free admission and parking at most of the places in our care.
Education Group Access Pass | Join - National Trust
Applying for an Education Group Access Pass
Please contact our Supporter Services Centre, who will be happy to help you.
Telephone: 0344 800 1895 (local rates apply) Email us: enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
Eligibility Since 1 March 2024, the categories for Education Group Access Pass holders are no longer determined by the number of students enrolled at the place of education. Instead, they are categorised by group type: home-educating, not-for-profit, or for-profit.
All groups must have their students or members in full-time or early years education.
Eligible groups may include:
- Schools
- Colleges/sixth forms
- Universities/university societies
- Childminders
- Education centres/field study centres
- Home-educators
- Pre-schools/nurseries
- Scout and Guide groups
- Youth clubs
The eligibility for either the not-for-profit or for-profit categories depends on the specific circumstances of the group that is applying.
We know that early years children are at increased risk of abuse and neglect due to their dependency on those adults around them to meet their needs and protect them, sadly over the 18 months in Shropshire we have seen a high number of early years children being harmed. To help us learn, develop our safeguarding practice for all children and to help identify where any professional may be able to take actions to support families and children and reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring Shropshire safeguarding community partnership complete rapid reviews and learning briefings to share areas of learning and highlight possible themes. The below learning briefings are all relating to early years children –
Non accidental injuries and Domestic Abuse
- Non accidental injury - Child F
- Aces and Injuries
- Non accidental Injuries- Child T
- Injuries in a four month old
Thanks
Charlotte Percival
Safeguarding Officer, Early Years and Childcare,
Learning and Skills Group
01743254147
The Department for Education’s Do Something BIG recruitment campaign is ramping up again in early August.
This broadcast marketing campaign promotes early years and childcare careers on a national-scale across multiple advertising channels including TV. It highlights the huge difference early years educators make to young children and how rewarding working in the sector can be.
It directs potential applicants to use DWP’s Find a Job vacancy platform to search for early years roles in their area.
If you do not already have a Find a Job account, and have any current or upcoming roles in your setting, please watch these video tutorials to help you create an employer account and post your jobs.
You should use the term ‘early years’ in the title of your job adverts and select ‘Education jobs’ for the job category.
This service is free to use and will ensure your vacancies are seen by a large pool of potential candidates.
Early Years Funding Code of Practice
Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework for Childminders
Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework for Group and School-Based Providers
Early Years CPD
Early Years Information Pages on the SLG
Early Years Resource Library
Funding Diary Dates (headcount windows and payments)
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
Parent Declaration Form (Summer 2024 to Summer 2025)
Recruitment:
Shropshire SEND Local Offer
Support Request Form (SEND)
Funding Claims, Free Entitlements, Eligibility Codes, Provider Portal etc.:
Admin Team: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Job Vacancies:
Admin Team: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Buildings, Premises, Accommodation, and any related issues including schools looking to adopt their local pre-school:
Andy Nicholls: andy.nicholls@shropshire.gov.uk
Wraparound Childcare Programme:
Rachel Reynolds: rachel.reynolds1@shropshire.gov.uk
School Sustainability Funding:
Jo Morris: Jo.morris@shropshire.gov.uk
Qualifications, Ratios, Staffing etc.:
Beverley Jones: beverley.jones@shropshire.gov.uk
Safeguarding and Child Protection:
Charlotte Percival: Charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
Early Intervention Grant - applications and admin:
Admin Team: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Applications for EYPP and 30-Hour Entitlements for Children who are Looked After:
Admin Team: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Applications for Disability Access Fund:
Admin Team: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Information, advice and guidance in relation to SEND children:
earlyyears@shropshire.gov.uk
Any other queries that don’t fall into the above:
earlyyears@shropshire.gov.uk
Remember – we also have the MS Teams site:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a9e2862aae963406b9ffc01b034aae950%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=dd786852-0af3-4592-b069-7cf66e48df55&tenantId=b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
If you are not already a member of this group, then please email nef@shropshire.gov.uk and we will get you access.
Alison Rae
School’s Improvement Commissioner Adviser Early Years Foundation Stage
Education Improvement Service
Tel: 01743 254467
Email: alison.rae@shropshire.gov.uk
Beverley Jones
Education Improvement Service
Early Years Consultant
Tel: 01743 254454
Email: beverley.jones@shropshire.gov.uk
Charlotte Percival
Safeguarding Officer
Tel: 01743 254147
Email: charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
Sue Carroll
SEND Lead Early Years / Severndale case manager
Tel: 01743 254242
Mobile: 07458124424
Email: sue.carroll@shropshire.gov.uk
Judith Pilkington
Early Years Intervention Officer
Tel: 01743 254287
Email: judith.pilkington@shropshire.gov.uk
Admin Team (funding queries):
Beth Parry-Jones, Brydie Porter & Sarah Jones
Email: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
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