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Just a quick reminder that the Actual headcount window for the Autumn term is currently open on the Portal and will close at midnight on Sunday (14th September).
A new re-branded website launched today which completely replaces Childcare Choices and is called the Best Start in Life Parent Hub (). Anyone who tries to access the old Childcare choices website, will automatically be redirected to the new website. |
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Best Start in Life is a new cross-government and cross-sector brand that will be used to frame all services, offers and support available that aim to break down barriers to opportunity and drive-up the numbers of children reaching a good level of development. While many of these will be focussed on the early years, the new brand will bring together wider offers for children and parents to deliver on the ambition in its broadest sense, from pre-natal services up to the end of primary school and beyond.
Government policy is not being altered, the offers for parents (e.g. working parent and 2-year-old offers) aren’t changing, and parents will still be able to access the same childcare information and eligibility checker previously available on Childcare Choices. The new platform, however, will offer an enhanced and more comprehensive experience for parents covering even more topics from pregnancy, through their child's journey to starting school and beyond.
Why is this important?
Parents don’t always know what they are entitled to or how to find out what is available locally. By using the new language and brand, it demonstrates the cross-sector collaboration and commitment to giving children the best start in life. Furthermore, by linking to beststartinlife.gov.uk, parents will be more able to find out about and take up services that will make a difference to their child and their family.
We encourage providers to begin to use the new branding language in their communications with parents and signpost them to the Best Start in Life Parent Hub () when making applications and checking eligibility for the working family entitlement.
This is an amazing webinar that is really worth watching.
We will be following this up as an Early years team in many ways over the next year.
I have attached the slides and the link to the recording is here.
Given by the Health Professionals for Safer Screens
Summer_of_Connections
Our kids, their screens, the evidence - YouTube
This poster is available on the website
The Centre for Early Childhood has just released six very short films
This is the link How we support a child’s social and emotional development: The Explainer Series
This series of animated films unpacks the brain science and explains key concepts behind the way nurturing interactions support the social and emotional development of babies and young children. Building on the Shaping Us Framework, the films explain the science behind the everyday moments of connection that can have a long-term positive impact on a child’s life.
ENJOY
Registration for World Nursery Rhyme Week 2025 is now open!
You can register today and start planning a fantastic week of rhyming in November, with your free downloadable resource pack.
Our 5 official rhymes are:
- Sing a Song of Sixpence
- Humpty Dumpty
- When I Was One
- I Hear Thunder
- Two Little Dickie Birds
This year you can enjoy some fantastic free resources from our sponsors and supporters Music Bugs, Phonics Shed and Sing with Piccolo Music
From September 2025, children from all age groups – 9 months, 2 years and 3&4 years - who are eligible for the working family funding will be eligible for 30 hours of funding per week.
Parent/carers will need to apply for, or renew, their working family codes via Childcare Choices before the 31st August. They will then need to give you their code so that you can claim their funding on your Headcount.
If a child starts at your setting in the term in which they turn three, they will be able to claim the 2 year old funding for that term if they have an eligible working family code or are eligible for 24U.
If a child starts at your setting in the term in which they turn two, they will be able to claim the 9 month old funding for that term if they have an eligible working family code.
A session at an early years setting involves many transitions during the day that a child has to follow, for example:
- entering nursery and saying goodbye
- transitions between different activities, for example, free-play to carpet-time, to tidy-up time, to snack-time etc
- transitions between places, for example, inside to outdoor play
- leaving nursery and saying goodbye
Routines and structure increase the predictability of the day for young children which makes them feel safe and secure, so there are strategies that can be put in place to make these transitions during the day as smooth and distress-free as possible.
Further information on Transitions during the day can be found at: EYFS Documentation and Links | Shropshire Learning Gateway
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On 14 July 2025, the DfE published the revised EYFS statutory frameworks alongside the current frameworks. The revised EYFS frameworks will replace the current EYFS frameworks from 1 September 2025.
The DfE recognises the efforts and expertise that settings put into providing high quality early education to the children in their care. We hope that publishing these frameworks in advance will support settings to get to grips with changes and updates being introduced.
The changes include:
· Strengthened safeguarding requirements, following the early years safeguarding consultation in 2024.
· New nutrition guidance which has been developed with nutrition and sector experts.
· An update following the introduction of the Experience-Based Route (EBR), to allow staff who have successfully been through EBR to be included in staff:child ratios at level 3 should they meet other requirements.
· An update to Annex B of the group and school-based provider EYFS, to reflect the inclusion of additional digital elements in the Reception Baseline Assessment, which will be introduced from academic year 2025/26 onwards.
The Early Years Qualifications Requirements and Standards document has also been updated with minor clarifications.
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Please share this information with parents, carers, teams, colleagues and your wider networks
The Parenting Team will be delivering free Understanding Your Child and Understanding Your Child SEND – from toddler to teens - groups from September/October 2025 (poster attached).
These 10 week groups aim to:
- Promote understanding of children’s behaviour within the context of developmental issues
- Promote the development of parent/child relationship
- Increase confidence and self-esteem in both parents and children
- Give parents a strategy for repair when things go wrong
- Promote reflective, sensitive and effective parenting
We are also offering free SLEEP TIGHT groups from September 2025 (poster attached).
These 5 week workshops cover:
- Recognising the role of sleep hygiene to improve sleep
- Identifying causes of sleep issues and appropriate practical strategies to try
- Completing sleep diaries and identifying potential sleep issues
I have also included our poster to promote our Parenting Help and Support Line.
If you can, please share the links to our webpage with further information on free online courses and other offers from the parenting team.
The Parenting Team | Shropshire Council
The Parenting Team | Shropshire Council (Local Offer/SEND)
Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions or need the posters in a different format
parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk or give us a call on 01743 250950
Kind regards
Parenting Team
Tel: 01743 250950
We’re thrilled to share that the Stronger Practice Hubs have been extended for another year! As a result, we’ve developed even more free training opportunities, including Networks and Webinar Wednesdays, running from July to March 2026, with additional ad-hoc training to be announced as and when.
If you’d like to attend any of these sessions, simply click the registration link, enter your details, and upon registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the joining links.
Networks & Webinar Wednesday's
Interactive reading an effective strategy to support CL development
20th August 2025 9.30-10.30am
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/eb66z96
EAL - Understanding EAL and SEND
16th September 2025 6.30-7.30pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/phznanh
Leaders Staffroom – a space for PD conversations
- Getting Off To A Good Start
17th September 2025 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/qbbzmd7
Communication & Literacy - Read and Talk About It Network
18th September 2025 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/v65vet7
Early Years Mathematics - Firm Mathematical Foundations in Number
2nd October 2025 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/as5jszs
EY SEND - Effective Implementation Part 2 Network
7th October 2025 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/q6jbk6q
Goldilocks effect - Getting it ‘just right’ for your children.
8th October 2025 9.30-10.30am
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ryjm2va
Developing Curiosity a gateway to gaining attention through the curriculum - REGISTRATION PAUSED
15th October 2025 5-6pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kambw3e
Developing your climate action plan - Information Session
17th October 2025 1.30-3.30pm
20th October 2025 4-6pm
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/ciLqmqW9kBbZS3Gg7
Executive Function & Metacognition - Talking about Learning
5th November 2025 9.30-10.30am
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cytrgjr
Network: Developing Curiosity gaining attention through the curriculum - REGISTRATION PAUSED
13th November 2025 5-6pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/zz8hpn9
PSED - Supporting Children's Healthy Habits Network
18th November 2025 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/zwr6dtt
Curating an Environment for all children where learning is inevitable
3rd December 2025 9.30-10.30am
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/wdymjy7
Communication & Language - Early Mark Making, Drawing, and Writing Network
8th January 2026 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9mhqw58
EAL - Designing Interventions for Bilingual Children
13th January 2026 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/v49exw3
Maths - Mathematical Thinking Network
22nd January 2026 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/b4z96nj
EY SEND - Effective Implementation Part 3 Network
3rd February 2026 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5ccbfqk
Leaders Staffroom – a space for PD conversations - Professional Development Conversations
4th February 2026 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/xwcvajs
PSED - The Link Between Boys Self-Regulation and Writing Network
3rd March 2026 4-5pm
Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cnmu2mq
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In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) published the Best Start in Life strategy where we committed to working with the sector to co-design and introduce a new professional register to put early years workers on a more professional footing and create clear paths for career progression, to drive up standards and professionalism among the workforce.
DfE is now inviting early years professionals to take part in a research study to help shape the future of the early years workforce register.
We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the idea of a workforce register in a 60-minute remote session:
· When: 1 to 12 September and 29 September to 11 October
· Format: Online session (we’ll send you a link)
· Incentive: £40
Your insights will play a key role in shaping the future of the early years workforce.
Sign up here: https://dferesearch.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pEaelJPYUlDhf8
Questions? Contact us at research.early-years-quals@education.gov.uk
Feel free to share with colleagues or staff who may be interested.
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Publication of outcome summaries - GOV.UK
Ofsted publish an outcome summary when they have looked into a concern or a notification about a provider on the Early Years Register. It details the steps Ofsted or the provider have taken to make sure their setting complies with the requirements for registration. Ofsted publish outcome summaries on their website on the same page as the provider’s reports. There is also a blog to explain this in more detail:
Understanding outcome summaries – Ofsted: early years
Getting it right from the start: the importance of the first two years of a child's life.
Getting it right from the start | Ofsted Talks
There a still places available:
Please share this information with parents, carers, teams, colleagues and your wider networks
The Parenting Team will be delivering free Understanding Your Child and Understanding Your Child SEND – from toddler to teens - groups from September/October 2025 (poster attached).
These 10 week groups aim to:
- Promote understanding of children’s behaviour within the context of developmental issues
- Promote the development of parent/child relationship
- Increase confidence and self-esteem in both parents and children
- Give parents a strategy for repair when things go wrong
- Promote reflective, sensitive and effective parenting
We are also offering free SLEEP TIGHT groups from September 2025 (poster attached).
These 5 week workshops cover:
- Recognising the role of sleep hygiene to improve sleep
- Identifying causes of sleep issues and appropriate practical strategies to try
- Completing sleep diaries and identifying potential sleep issues
If you can, please share the links to our webpage with further information on free online courses and other offers from the parenting team.
The Parenting Team | Shropshire Council
The Parenting Team | Shropshire Council (Local Offer/SEND)
Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions or need the posters in a different format
parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk or give us a call on 01743 250950
Kind regards
Parenting Team
Tel: 01743 250950
 Beyond the park | Topics | Community Playthings
We now have the updated Safeguarding policies templates available at Early Years and Schools Safeguarding Policies and Guidance | Shropshire Learning Gateway
This includes :
- Childminder Attendance and Non-Attendance Policy
- Childminders Safeguarding Policy
- Early Years Safeguarding Policy
- Early Years Settings Attendance and Non-Attendance policy
- Early Years Setting Safer Recruitment Policy
We are currently working with HR to provide guidance for Childminders around Safer Recruitment.
Section 11 Safeguarding Audit
We're pleased to announce that we will be launching the new Section 11 electronic safeguarding audit this Autumn. This will be easier for you to complete.
We understand that this may require some adjustments (from the previous Excel version), so we will be offering additional time for completion.
Hate-Related Incident Reporting
An updated electronic Hate Incident Reporting Form will be available for use by all educational settings across Shropshire from September 2025.
This revised form has been developed collaboratively with input from West Mercia Police, Victim Support, local authority colleagues and representatives from local schools and settings. It is designed to simplify the reporting process and ensure a more coordinated response to hate-related incidents.
The primary aim of the new form is to support the collection of intelligence on hate-related incidents occurring within schools, colleges and settings. This information will help identify trends and enable early intervention, allowing Police and Victim Support teams to offer timely and targeted support to schools, colleges and settings where it is most needed.
By streamlining the process, we aim to make it easier for schools to report concerns and access the support they need to maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment for all.
Protocol for notifying the local authority of significant events and changes
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The Education Partnership Board adopted a new protocol for notifiable incidents for all schools.
As part of this protocol, all schools are asked to ensure that the Local Authority is notified about school closures. The agreed protocol can be downloaded here.
Until the development of the e-form, all notifications should be made to school.closures@shropshire.gov.uk.
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2025/26 – Safeguarding Training opportunities
There is a comprehensive list of safeguarding training opportunities on the SLG Early Years and Schools Safeguarding Training and Consultancies | Shropshire Learning Gateway. This will ensure that everyone has access to the necessary resources and training to maintain the highest standards of safeguarding.
Thanks
Charlotte Percival
Safeguarding Officer,
Early Years and Childcare,
Education Improvement,
Learning and Skills
01743254147
Charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
Lots of Free online training opportunities including bespoke childminder meeting.
Thrive Together Early Years Stronger Practice Hub (West Midlands) | Stronger Practice Hubs
Best Start in Life Parent Hub (formerly known as Childcare Choices)
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 Advice and Funding (SEND)
Early Years CPD
Early Years Information Pages on the SLG
Funding Diary Dates (headcount windows and payments)
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
Parent Declaration Form - 2025/26
Recruitment:
SEND and Inclusion Newsletter
Shropshire SEND Local Offer
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 Years Inclusion Funding (EYI) - 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
Early Years Consultant
Education Improvement Service
Tel: 01743 254454
Email: beverley.jones@shropshire.gov.uk
Charlotte Percival
Safeguarding Officer
Tel: 01743 254147
Email: charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
Dan Steele
Senior Development Officer (Early Years and Sufficiency)
Tel: 01743 253913
Email: dan.Steele@shropshire.gov.uk
Admin Team (funding queries):
Beth Parry-Jones, Brydie Porter, Lauren Goodhead & Sarah Jones
Email: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
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