|
Please could we ask all providers to ensure that they validate any outstanding eligibility codes by the end of this week. The DfE are closely monitoring the validation of codes and are pushing local authorities to make sure that all codes received from parents are validated promptly.
Last term, Shropshire came in the top 3 nationally with our exceptionally high validation rates, which is amazing! The DfE have advised today that we are currently sitting mid-table, but this will be because our Spring headcount window is still underway, so we know that we can improve on this as more checks are run from within the Portal.
You validate an expanded hours code simply by running an eligibility check via the Portal, so if you have any codes that you have not yet done this for, please can we ask that you do so by the end of this week. Another benefit of checking the codes by the end of this week is that it will allow some time for you to report any issues back to parents should you need to, before the headcount window closes next week (19th).
Thank you in advance for your co-operation with this, it's much appreciated. 
For many years now the local authority has been manually overriding late eligibility codes, to enable providers to continue claiming expanded/extended hours funding for families who had missed the deadline for applying/renewing their code in time for a particular term.
The number of late codes that we are being asked to override has increased every term and last term this number was over 100!
Following recent consultation with the DfE, this isn't something that we should be doing, therefore from the start of the Summer term 2025 we will not be in a position to override any late codes, unless in exceptional circumstances.
We would be grateful if you could share this message with your parents, asking them to keep an eye on their code expiry dates and to ensure that they renew them on time. The earliest they will be able to renew is 4 weeks before the end date of their code (not the Grace Period end date).
We have attached a useful information sheet which includes key dates when codes should be applied for/renewed ahead of each term, which you can pass on to parents.
Early Years Working Family Funding Entitlement - Advice for Parents/Carers
Please note: For the current Spring term, we will continue to accept late codes up to half-term, but will not be able to accept any after this point.
Safer Internet Day is coming up fast. Although it shouldn't be the only time in the year when we look at online safety, it does provide a national focus and an opportunity for parents to discuss with their children that challenges that they can face.
The theme for this year's Safer Internet Day is ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online‘. Question to consider include:
- How is changing technology like generative AI going to impact the approach of scammers?
- What role can the government and internet industry take to tackle this threat?
- What changes would young people like to see to help protect themselves moving forward?
You can find more information and resources about Safer Internet Day here: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025
This link will take you to LGFL some really useful early years specific information and resources Online Safety in the Early Years | LGFL
Nursery World are running a series on Spatial Awareness. Part one is all about using the outside space when considering spatial possibilities.
Please find attached the article from the link below :)
016 NW Spatialreasoning January25.pdf
Please note the date of the training course 'Supporting children with EAL in the Early Years' has been moved to Tuesday 28th January 2025 (18:00 - 19:30).
Shropshire Early Years 2024-25.pdf
Would you like to know more about the BBC website Tiny Happy People. Join this one hour briefing and see how you can become a champion and enable parents to make the most of the information and support on the website
Supporting the Home Learning Environment with Tiny Happy People
Wednesday 29th January 2025 2-3pm
Booking Link
Early Years Evidence in Action - digital media and its impact on language development, rising rates of SEND, remembering Teresa Smith & more! Issue #7 Dr Julian Grenier CBE | 30 Dec 2024 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/early-years-evidence-action-digital-media-its-rates-grenier-cbe-g4lee
Come join us at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery's new 'Sun and Fire' exhibition.
Sun And Fire Storytelling Workshop at the Museum
 Sit within the replica stone circle as the fire flickers and join our tribe for an immersive storytelling session.
Help bring the prehistory inspired tale alive with your drumming, song and voices. But wait! There is much to prepare before we celebrate the sun.
Within the workshop space children will meet (puppet) Bob, the local metal detectorist who found a significant piece of treasure whilst out digging one day and go back in time to explore what life was like for our distant ancestors by helping with daily jobs such as cooking, hunting, weaving and metal working. All these hands-on activities have been planned by our Early Years team to champion children’s imaginations, curiosity, and encourage them to find out more about how people lived during prehistory.
“The amazing storytelling really captured the children’s imaginations and sparked further interest”
“I would absolutely recommend the workshop to anyone with young children. It was such a lovely experience for the children and adults”
Bookings are now being taken for Mondays & Tuesdays from now until April 2025 10.00-12.00 (maximum group size is 30). The Storytelling Workshop includes a biscuit snack made from oats. Please advise us of any allergies before your visit.
Get in touch with museumbookings@shropshire.gov.uk to book your slot today.
£125 for up to 30 children. Suitable for ages 2-5 years.
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 Funding for Foster Children
CPD Early Years and Schools | Shropshire Learning Gateway
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:
SEND and Inclusion Newsletter
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:
Dan Steele: Dan.steele@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
Admin Team (funding queries):
Beth Parry-Jones, Brydie Porter & Sarah Jones
Email: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
As we all know for most the festive period is often a happy time, but this isn’t always the case. We often see with the increase of financial pressures, having busy family time and people increasing their alcohol consumption that there is an increased risk of situations escalating. Unfortunately this means that the risk of harm and the potential of abuse also increases.
We all have a duty to safeguard and protect children whether they are directly in our care or in our community.
If you have concerns that a child or young person is being harmed or is at significant risk of being harmed, please contact First Point Of Contact (FPOC) on 03456789021. Remember to complete a MARF within 24 hrs of contacting compass.
If it is out of working office hours please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 03456789040.
If you believe that a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm please call the police on 999/ 101.
|
