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Autumn Actual headcount deadline is the Sunday 4th October ​
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NEF Inbox- We aim to respond within 5 working days​. Due to increasing workload within the team, we are implementing an out of office response to all emails, stating we aim to respond within 5 working days. If we can reply sooner we will do so, but we want to share with you this ahead of time. We want to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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Early Years funding guidance videos- Suggestions welcome! Some of you may remember a few years ago we produced some how-to videos, sharing guides on how to access, use and submit information via the portal.
We are going to be producing some more up to date 'How to' videos and would like to take your input in what specifically you would like to see.
These will be step by step, easy to follow and tailored to all abilities.
Working in partnership with families can help settings understand children’s learning and development and build on it. Two can play this game! How to form positive relationships with… | EEF
How you can work with parents and carers to support learning at home. How to empower parents to support children's self-regulation… | EEF
Ways to help parents and carers support children’s developing self-regulation. Promoting Positive Partnerships with Parents | EEF Practical ideas for building strong relationships with parents and carers.
The Parenting Team will be delivering free Understanding Your Child and Understanding Your Child SEND – from toddler to teens - groups from September 2026 (poster attached).
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 Â and Sleep Tight with SEND groups from September and November 2026 (poster attached) 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
Sleep Tight.pdf
UYC 0-5.pdf
UYC Groups.pdf
UYC male carer group.pdf
UYC SEND Groups.pdf
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Please could you take the time to complete the following MS Forms , Shropshire Council Early Years Proforma - Autumn 2026 – Fill in form
this will enable the Shropshire Early Years Team to support and monitor settings safeguarding arrangements and compliance with Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework and Working Together to Safeguard Children as part of our statutory duties.
This will be sent out every term to enable us to keep up to date with your details and to help us link in and share information with the most appropriate person.Â
The updated policy templates are now on the SLG Early Years and Schools Safeguarding Policies and Guidance | Shropshire Learning Gateway
Please remember they are templates for you to adapt and change to apply to your setting, please note the red writing and yellow highlights are to be removed when you have amended the policy to your setting and should not be left in your policy.Â
I have made minor updates to the attendance and non-attendance templates and to the Early Years settings Safer recruitment.Â
I have made a number of updates (including removing text that does not apply) to the childminders Safer Recruitment template.Â
DSL Refresher - 16.09.26 - Early Years DSL Refresher - 16.09.26
Raising Awareness in Safeguarding and protecting Children- Delivered by Emma Harding - 22.09.26 - 10:00-12:00- Raising Awareness in Safeguarding - All  settings 22.9.2026Â
DSL Network - 24.09.26 - AM - Early Years DSL network session - AM
DSL Network - 24.09.26 - Eve -Â Early Years DSL - EveningÂ
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As the National Year of Reading enters its final term, we are asking local authorities to share the message below with their early years settings and childminders to encourage them to engage with planned early years events and activities during the autumn term.Â
Don’t miss out on Early Years events and resources as part of the final term of the National Year of Reading!Â
Discover how you can make the most of your local communities to support the development of a reading for pleasure culture in the early years with brand-new free resources, CPD and events.Â
A taste of what’s on offer:Â
Access the full Early Years offer this Autumn Term and catch up on previous terms’ content, all through the free and flexible platform.Â
If you’re already taking part, log in here and continue exploring.Â
If you’re new, it's never too late to join. Sign up here for a guided journey of content that supports you to build and grow a reading for pleasure culture in your setting.Â
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Updated early years foundation stage (EYFS) frameworks for childminders, group and school-based providers were published in July 2026 and came into force on 1 September 2026. Â
Key changes from that date are strengthened safeguarding requirements, and a requirement for providers to have regard to screen use guidance for early years settings.  Â
A summary of the EYFS changes can be found on Help for early years providers. Â
We are excited to be able to offer you this training opportunity with KCA Training. This is funded training (free!) thanks to our working with our Shropshire Virtual School. Â Please find attached the booking links and fliers with more information.
About Five to Thrive KCA’s model Five to Thrive, is a model for promoting secure, attuned, need meeting relationships based on the neuroscientific understanding of what happens inside us, as the meeter of needs, when we make an attuned, connected relationship with a baby or child and the brain building potential of these Five to Thrive Relationships.
This course has been built with Early Years Professionals in mind to ensure understanding, confidence and practical applications to practice.
Link for Early Years Settings - https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconnected.kca.training%2Fregister…
Link for Childminders - https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconnected.kca.training%2Fregister…
FTT Shropshire Childminders 2026.pdf
FTT Shropshire EYIS 2026.pdf
You’ve been invited to: Shropshire Early Years Conference 2026 | Join meeting in Teams | Microsoft Teams
Shropshire Early Years Conference 2026
You are invited to join us for our annual Early Years conference. This will be an opportunity to hear local and national agendas and network amongst colleagues in the sector, with opportunities to explore the marketplace with all things Early years. Lunch is included! Speakers will include:
- Dr Aaron Bradbury - Author of A Child Centred EYFS and Early Childhood Theories Today.
- Sharron Philpott - RISE advisor with a specialism in Early Years
- Andrina Flinders from Thrive Together Stronger Practice Hub - Schema Play
- KCA - Trauma Responsive Practice in Early Years
Please sign up using this link - places are first come first served, a waiting list will be in operation. We are able to offer this at an early bird discount of £25pp, from 30th September the cost will be £45. Please note that a place will only be confirmed when we are in receipt of payment. Each delegate must register separately.
Shropshire Early Years Conference 2026 | Join meeting in Teams | Microsoft Teams
Kind regards,
Sarah and LaurieÂ
During the Early years summer network there was a question regarding students completing work experience who do not have DBS (as they are too young) and the changes to the EYFS stating “Providers must not allow individuals to begin working or volunteering at the setting until they have received the applicant’s enhanced criminal records and barred list check. Providers must not allow anyone whose suitability has not been checked, including through a criminal records and barred list check, to have unsupervised contact with children being cared for.”
My understanding is that as children under 16 years are unable to gain a DBS, you should –
- Request a reference from a key member of staff at their school (Form Tutor/ Head of Year/ DSL) to verify that they are suitable to be at your setting on work experience, that there are no known reasons (including safeguarding concerns) that could mean they are not suitable to complete their work experience at your setting.
- Complete a risk assessment identifying any activities that they should not undertake or be involved in (this should include any nappy changing or toileting support).
- Complete a work experience induction which includes who the DSL is and who they can speak to if they are worried / unsure of anything.Â
- Ensure that all staff are aware that anyone completing work experience MUST be always supervised (including when they go to and from areas for their break).
- Ensure that all staff are aware that they are a child and there are safeguarding responsibilities to them as a child, any concerns about the safety and welfare of the child on work experience is passed to the DSL immediately.
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As the leaves start changing colour and the nights begin to draw in, new hazards emerge. So, here are our top tips for keeping children safe from serious accidents this autumn.
Be Bright Be seen - Road Safety
Halloween hazards- Halloween
Fireworks- Fireworks
Hot soups and drinks- Burns Fact Sheet
As a Shropshire practitioner you can now register to access the following 4 new eLearning modules through One Plus One here:
Module 1 – The impact of parental conflict
Module 2 – Recognising domestic abuse
Module 3 – Introduction to Getting on Better Package
Module 4 – Building your confidence.
Upon completion of these eLearning modules, you will be given access to various guides and tools to utilise with parents.
The OnePlusOne document attached provides information and links on:
- How to register as a practitioner working with parents in Shropshire for the eLearning modules.
- How to access practitioner guides.
- Online training available to parents living in Shropshire.
The NSPCC has published a news story Our Helpline refers 10 babies and infants every day on safeguarding concerns about babies and young children shared with its Helpline. NSPCC Helpline data shows that between April 2025 and March 2026, it referred 3,698 children aged two and under to local safeguarding agencies – an average of more than 10 a day. Neglect, physical abuse and domestic abuse were the top three concerns among NSPCC referrals for children in this age bracket, with neglect alone accounting for almost half of all referrals for this age group.
It is important that we and our staff are aware of the increased risks for early years children and how we can understand their lived experiences Voice of the infant: expert insight films | NSPCC Learning
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:Â NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Job Vacancies:
Admin Team:Â NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Buildings, Premises, Accommodation, and any related issues including schools looking to adopt their local pre-school:
Andy Nicholls:Â andy.nicholls@shropshire.gov.uk
Wraparound Childcare Programme:
Dan Steele:Â Dan.steele@shropshire.gov.ukÂ
School Sustainability Funding:
Jo Morris:Â Jo.morris@shropshire.gov.uk
Qualifications, Ratios, Staffing etc.:
Laurie Johnson:Â Laurie.Johnson@shropshire.gov.uk
Safeguarding and Child Protection:
Charlotte Percival:Â Charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
Early Years Inclusion Funding (EYI) - applications and admin:
Admin Team:Â NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Applications for EYPP and 30-Hour Entitlements for Children who are Looked After:
Admin Team:Â NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
Applications for Disability Access Fund:
Admin Team:Â 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
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Laurie Jones
Quality Improvement & Learning Co-ordinator
Education Improvement Service
Tel: 01743 250626
Email:Â Laurie.Johnson@shropshire.gov.uk
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Charlotte Percival
Safeguarding Officer
Tel: 01743 254147
Email: charlotte.percival@shropshire.gov.uk
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Dan Steele
Senior Development Officer (Early Years and Sufficiency)
Tel: 01743 253913
Email: dan.Steele@shropshire.gov.uk
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Admin Team (funding queries):
Beth Parry-Jones, Brydie Porter, Lauren Goodhead & Sarah Jones
Email: NEF@shropshire.gov.uk
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