Just a reminder that the Autumn term Interim headcount window closes at the end of this week (Sunday 12th July). The Interim headcount is where you enter your weekly hours totals for each age group that you're claiming for and is what your first 3 funding payments of the term are based on.
If you need to make any changes to your Interim hours after the headcount window has closed, you can send your changes through to and we can make them for you. This is particularly important if you need to reduce the number of hours claimed on your Interim submission, as it will avoid you receiving more funding than is needed for the term across your first 3 monthly payments, which could result in a funding deficit on your account.
The Actual headcount window for the child level data will open on the following Monday (13th) and will remain open until Sunday 4th October 2026.
All headcount opening and closing dates are available on the homepage of the .
Many thanks
DSL Refresher - 16.09.26 09:30-12:30 - Early Years DSL Refresher - 16.09.26
DSL refresher - 17.11.26 09:30-12:30 - Early Years DSL Refresher - 17.11.26
DSL Network - 24.09.26 – 09:30-11:30 AM - Early Years DSL network session - AM
DSL Network - 24.09.26 – 18:15-20:15 Eve - Early Yars DSL network session - Evening
Raising Awareness in Safeguarding and protecting children -14.10.26- 18:15-20:15 Eve - Raising Awareness in Safeguarding and Protecting Children - 14.10.26
Childminder DSL part 1 - 08.10.26 -18:15-20:15 Eve - Childminders DSL - 08.10.26 / 17.10.26
part 2 - 17.10.26 – 09:30-15:00 Daytime - Online
Newly Appointed DSL - part1 - 03.11.26 09:30-11:30 - Early Years Newly Appointed DSL - 03.11.26 / 10.11.26 / 20.11.26
part 2 - 10.11.26 09:30-11:30 - online
part 3- 20.11.26 09:30-13:00 Face to Face – Guildhall Shrewsbury
EY Committee members Safeguarding - 26.11.26 18:15- 20:15 - Early Years Committee Members Safeguarding and Protecting Children - 26.11.26
NEW for Autumn
- Following feedback that fathers and male carers might like to have groups specifically for them, we are also offering an Understand Your Child group for fathers and male carers. The content of the group is the same but similar to our SEND groups the parents and carers will all share a unique view point on parenting.
- We are also introducing an Understanding Your Child group for parents and carers of children 0-5 years. This group will also focus on the challenges and importance of preparing, when children transition to nursery, school or the next development stage.
All the above groups are 10 weeks (one weekly session) and 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 offering free SLEEP TIGHT and Sleep Tight with SEND groups from September and November 2026 which 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
“I met others going through the same things. It really helped me feel less alone.”
“The group boosted my confidence as a parent.”
Join our friendly, relaxed group!
Parenting can be full of ups, downs, big feelings and lots of learning — for both you and your child! Your child’s early years are full of change and transition, such as starting nursery or school and moving into the next phase of development. In our weekly sessions we will explore ways how you can support your child through these transitions and other tricky moments. Join us and other parents and carers to share simple ideas that can make life calmer and more positive.
Upcoming Session
- starts Monday 21st September, 12.30–2.30pm at The Lantern, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG
the group meets once a week over 10 weeks, excl. half terms and bank holidays with the last session being on Monday 30th November 2026.
What We’ll Talk About
- Transition periods in your family’s life
- Communicating and building connection with your child
- Routines like sleep and bedtime and any other routines you have as a family
- Understanding behaviour and big emotions
- Child development and how you can support it
Want to Join Us?
Email: parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk
Call: 01743 250950
Visit: The Parenting Team | Shropshire Council
Prefer flexible online learning?
Try our free online learning pathways at
Becoming Togetherness - Togetherness
Whilst summertime brings lots of opportunities for fun in the sun, there can be extra risks too. That’s why we’ve pulled together some of our top tips for keeping children safe:
There are a number of free webinars including Family Help Together - Framework for action Using the Family Help Together Framework in Everyday Practice — Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership, this is the new document to help identify child’s and family needs and the support and interventions that are needed. The SSCP have put on dates at different times in the day/ evening and at the weekend to be accessible to as many of you as possible.
There are also webinars covering the voice of the person, learning from case reviews, responding to self-neglect and domestic abuse.
The EYFS framework requires providers to take necessary steps to keep children safe and well. There has been recent focus on both Safer eating and Safer sleeping guidance, and Ofsted have highlighted that these are areas that they will be focusing on as part of their inspections going forward.
Safer Eating is not just about healthy eating, it is about how we can reduce the risk of choking, ensuring that there is supervision in place when children are eating – this means sight and hearing of a member of staff, best practice is for staff to be sat with children whilst they eat and those staff having Paediatric first aid training. Help for early years providers : Food safety
Safer Sleeping is about children being placed to sleep safely on firm flat clear surfaces, with feet at the bottom of the surface, with blankets being tucked below the child’s shoulders to prevent covering their head. Staff present for babies under 6 months and staff being able to see and hear those over 6 months with regular checks on the children. Keeping the room between 16 – 20 degrees. Help for early years providers : Safer sleep
Please see our calendar of CPD from the Early Years Team for the first half term. These will soon be live on the Shropshire Learning Gateway, please sign up via the links. There is a mixture of online and face to face events, where possible it would be great to see attendees face to face.
01.9.26 - Online Childminders Q & A 18:30 - 19:00
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7e908dd0-2cb5-43ce-ab11-3007f8386c99@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
22.9.26 - Online EY Network 09:30-10:30
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a54d40f6-1f9a-4a0b-99cb-a959e73175fd@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
22.9.26 - Online EY Network 19:00 - 20:00
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/04c99740-e6e4-4ab2-b675-7bc5ab38a527@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
14.9.26 - F2F Devising & Reviewing a High Quality Curriculum Workshop 13:30 - 16:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7508f4fd-375c-405b-ba49-7b8d18e47c25@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
29.9.26 - Online Talking Babies Cluster 09:30 - 10:30
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3a7a595d-d2fe-4f5e-a32a-0d6ddb1a63f2@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
14.9.26 - Online Devising & Reviewing a High Quality Curriculum Workshop 18:00 - 20:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9300c3ee-3fe3-4ab6-b9ed-b7a6cb3bc6d5@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
29.9.26 - Online Talking Babies Cluster 18:00 - 19:00
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/479b3a54-6aaa-4e23-a755-4095f77bb330@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
16.10.26 - F2F Evidence-Based Quality Interactions 09:30 - 12:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d19a5ee5-8ab5-4ce4-8ada-6c900fa7eb6e@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
15.10.26 - Online Evidence-Based Quality Interactions 18:00 - 20:00 VENUE: Guildhall, Chambers EY settings (PVI's/ childminders) £40 / Schools £80
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3bc5e95a-18fe-4bd8-a791-dd955eaf8efb@b6c13011-372d-438b-bc82-67e4c7966e89
Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership is pleased to share with you the new Family Help Together-A Framework for Action which replaces the previous Thresholds Document. It is a multi-agency safeguarding framework designed to help professionals identify a child and family’s needs, it maps out the stages of risk and determines the type and level of support and intervention that may be needed by families.
There are likely to be several updates to this framework, so to ensure you are always using the most up-to-date version, please do not download this document, instead follow this link : https://www.shropshiresafeguardingcommunitypartnership.co.uk/procedures/childrens-safeguarding-poli… family-help-together-a-framework-for-action.pdf
part 2 - 17.10.26 - Daytime-
part 2 - 10.11.26
part 3- 20. 11.26
The local Shropshire CCE INTEL EMAIL CETeamShropshire@westmercia.police.uk has now been permanently closed and therefore cannot be used to submit intelligence.
The Shropshire Child Exploitation team ask that intelligence is submitted on the attached “Protected Partner Intel Form.docx” to protect@westmercia.police.uk. The usual routes of via 999 for emergencies/101 for non-emergencies or online submission on the West Mercia Police website still remain. Please see the attached form for further details.
For queries relating to CE, please contact the TREES team. Child exploitation | Shropshire Council
To View the TREES Spring / Summer Newsletter : Spring/Summer 2026 TREES Newsletter
Have you seen the Baby room webinar from The Thrive Together Stronger Practice Hub? Please see the link to utilise the CPD.
Babyroom Network: Experiencing awe and wonder – mini adventures - Zoom
Please see the last sessions led by the Stronger Practice Hub - Thrive Together, for this academic year.
Positive feedback has been given from those who have attended other webinars.
Bomere Heath Sunshine Preschool is looking for a caring, nurturing, and enthusiastic Early Years Practitioner to join our small, friendly, and supportive team.
Job details
• Job type: Part-time, term time only
• Hours: minimum 21 hours per week depending on occupancy (3 days a week, school
hours, term time)
• Flexibility: Hours may increase depending on preschool enrolment
• Salary: Above National Minimum Wage (dependent on qualifications and experience)
About the role
You will take on a key person role for a small group of children aged 2years to 4 years, supporting their learning, development, and wellbeing in a nurturing preschool environment.
Responsibilities include:
• Supporting children with daily care routines
• Teaching in the moment through play-based learning
• Planning age-appropriate activities
• Observing, assessing, and responding to individual needs
• Working effectively as part of a team
Requirements Essential:
• Level 2 Childcare qualification
•A caring, enthusiastic, and creative approach
• Strong teamwork skills
• Excellent communication skills
Desirable:
• Level 3 Childcare qualification
• Paediatric First Aid training
• Recent Early Years experience
Safeguarding
We promote British Values and equal opportunities. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to declare any criminal convictions and will be subject to online checks. The successful applicant will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, including a Children’s Barred List check.
Closing date for applications: 24th July 2026
We may close this vacancy earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a high number of suitable applications.
If you are passionate about early years education and enjoy helping young children thrive, we would love to hear from you.
Apply to: Sunshinepreschool@live.co.uk
Coming from the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, The Prevent duty requires all education providers ‘to help prevent the risk of people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism’.
Prevent duty in early years focusses on helping children build their understanding and appreciation of others and the world around them as early as possible. This means showing children all kinds of different lifestyles and cultures, helping them see that there are lots of different ways of living that all deserve respect. The attitudes and ideas that children pick up on at this young age can influence them throughout their lives and can be hard to change as they grow up.
A risk assessment is a core part of implementing the Prevent duty. All providers should read guidance from the department on how to complete a risk assessment and on safeguarding learners vulnerable to radicalisation. Childcare providers should assess the risk of children and staff being drawn into terrorism, including support for extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology.
Here is some guidance for completing a prevent risk assessment - How to complete a risk assessment to assess the risk of people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism - GOV.UK.
We have seen an increase in levels of Hate related incidents not only in schools but also within early years settings, this is something that we need to be aware of and look at how we can support our children, families and communities. Here are some resources which you may find useful:
In 2025 we had an update Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, it is commonly known as Martyn’s Law, it sets out the need to consider how as an early years provider you would respond to a terrorist attack and how they can reduce their vulnerability to a terrorist attack. All settings within scope of the legislation will need to have in place, so far as is reasonably practicable, public protection procedures. This includes:
- evacuation (to get people out of the premises)
- invacuation (to move people to a safe place)
- lockdown (to secure premises against attackers)
- communication (to alert people on premises to the danger)
All settings within scope of the act will have a responsible person
Early education partnerships application deadline 17th July. Please see the webinar slides attached and the partnership guide. The EEP supports collaborations between early years providers (nurseries, childminders, schools), the local authority, and potentially health or community organisations. The purpose is to improve access, quality, and consistency of early education for children, especially disadvantaged families.
In essence, the focus is on:
- Shared practice - providers working together to improve teaching and learning.
- Coordinated support - helping families access the right early education place.
- Stronger transitions - smoothing the move from early years settings into school.
- Better use of local expertise - pooling training, resources, and specialist knowledge.
A new systematic review funded by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation finds that screen use among babies and toddlers is now “a cultural norm” but carries substantial developmental risks. The evidence shows screens offer negligible benefit for under‑2s and can displace vital caregiver interaction, disrupt sleep, and contribute to delayed development.
The authors recommend creating a Baby’s Screen‑Time Risk Assessment to support professionals and help families reduce exposure during the crucial first 1001 days.
 Please see the ppt slides regards the next intake of NPQ's. If you need any further support, I can help you contact STEP if needed.
Applications for the next intake of NPQs are now open and will starting in November 2026.
With a focus firmly on EY, scholarship funding is now available for the NPQ Early Years Leader and the Excellence in Reception Teaching NPD for publicly funded early years settings and maintained nursery schools, including:
- private, voluntary, independent (PVI) settings
- Ofsted-registered early years childminders
- maintained nursery schools
- those working in publicly-funded early years educational settings
There are limited places on these courses so individuals who are interested will need to sign up asap to secure their places.
EY Opportunities Nov 2026.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.:
Laurie Johnson: Laurie.Johnson@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.
Sarah Kynaston
Senior Education Quality Adviser (Early Years and Safeguarding)
Education Improvement Service
Tel: 01743 251298
Email: Sarah.Kynaston@shropshire.gov.uk
Laurie Jones
Quality Improvement & Learning Co-ordinator
Education Improvement Service
Tel: 01743 250626
Email: Laurie.Johnson@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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