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Hope you have all managed to have a lovely relaxing break over Christmas and New Year.
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Following a system upgrade to the Provider Portal yesterday, there has been a key change that we need to bring to your attention.
As you will already be aware, from Summer 2026, the early years census data will be collected on a termly basis, but as we have had to install the census system updates through the upgrade, this functionality is in place from this term (Spring 2026). This means that for any providers who have not yet submitted their Spring Actual headcount, the Portal will now force you to complete your census data before it will allow you to submit your headcount. Please note that this does not include school-based settings who will continue to submit their census data in the usual way.
Which providers and children are in the scope for the early years census?
- All English early years providers who are offering the funded entitlements in private, voluntary and independent sectors are within the scope of the early years census.
- Providers must provide the data for the early years census at individual child level for children taking up a funded place at your setting.
- Only data for funded children at your setting should be provided.
Please note: For those providers who have already submitted their Spring Actual headcount prior to these census changes coming through, please could we ask you to log back in to your Portal account ahead of the 18th of January deadline, to complete and save your census data for the term.
Please follow the link below to access some user notes which will guide you through the changes and what you need to do, but if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via .
Early Years Census - Changes to the Provider Portal (User Notes)
We are holding an online engagement session on Wednesday 7th January 2026 for Education Providers. The purpose of the sessions is to provide an opportunity to contribute to the development of the local implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme, which will change our local safeguarding arrangements over the next 12 months and beyond. The session will be led by Natasha Moody, Shropshire’s Families First Partnership Strategic Lead and supported by the Education Quality Safeguarding Team.
.Thanks
Charlotte Percival
Safeguarding Officer,
Early Years and Childcare,
Education Improvement,
Learning and Skills
01743254147
Charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
Chid Accident Prevention trust have lots of useful resources/ poster and information to share with staff and parents. They have recently shared
These sessions are open to anyone supporting a child with SEND — whether you're a parent carer, family member, or professional.
Come along to ask questions, get practical advice, and connect with professionals who understand your journey
Please share the poster attached in the link, in your settings and with your families.
Poster ey.pdf
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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