Congratulations-Outstanding!
Many congratulations go to Kids Planet (2676225) in Rugeley for their recent Outstanding Ofsted judgement.
Nursery Manager Amy told us 'My team and I are so immensely proud of our outstanding grade. We pride ourselves on staff commitment, and to be rewarded with this grade is just an incredible feeling.
Our children truly deserve the best and we feel so privileged that as part of Kids Planet we can give them the world and more. We are so lucky to have the most supportive parents and we could not be happier with the recognition and amazing feedback that we were given by the inspector.'
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Safeguarding news-bruising in non mobile babies and children
If the baby is unwell or there are other indicators of a possible medical cause for bruising, then appropriate medical intervention should be sought. The doctor should make the decision to refer to Staffordshire Childrens Advice Service (SCAS) on 0300 111 8007.
If the baby is well you should consider explanation, family history, environment and the voice of the child as well as the possibility of medical conditions. Contact SCAS with your concerns. A bruise in a non mobile baby/child, where the cause has not been independently witnessed requires referral to SCAS. Multi-agency discussion is essential.
Click the link below to see 'Bruising in non mobile babies' guidance along with a flow chart and 7 minute briefing.
Safeguarding news-taking photos
Taking photographs to record marks or bruising on a child is not allowed.
When you have a concern about possible child abuse after observing a mark or bruise, describe it in the Accident and Incident book, followed by implementing your settings' safeguarding policy and procedure.
A parent needs to be fully aware and in agreement with the specific use of photographs of their child.
Please click the link below to see the Data Protection Act for more details.
Capital applications–expansion of funded childcare
Thank you to those providers who applied for capital funding to contribute to increasing the number of childcare places for the expansion of the early entitlements. We have been working hard to assess all applications and will be contacting applicants very soon.
As we move into the next phase of the expansion, this is a reminder that the application process is still open. We would like to hear from providers who have potential to increase the number of places at your setting, or at new premises. We are very interested in projects in areas where sufficiency data shows a need for additional childcare; and where projects provide good value for money.
If you are interested or would like to discuss any potential projects with us confidentially, then please email eeac@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Early Years Forum dates 2024-25
If a child from your setting is due to be discussed at Early Years Forum, you will receive a setting information request form for you to update forum on the child’s progress. It is crucial this is completed in time for the meeting so panel can have an accurate up-to-date picture so the relevant support can be put in place.
If you require further information, you can request a call back from a member of the EYSENIS team as part of the Tuesday call back service who will be happy to support you. Further information on how to do this can be found in the 'EY Area SENCO Team helpline' section below.
Click the link below for the EY Forum dates and SENIF funding meetings along with the deadline for applying for SENIF funding for the academic year of 2024-2025.
FREE-parental conflict training
When couples become carers–parental relationships where children have SEND
16 September 2024 1:30-4:30pm via MS Teams
This session, aimed at anyone who works directly with children & young people who have special educational needs, disabilities, long-term illness or are neurodiverse and their parents/families, explores how having a child with additional needs or disabilities may impact on the couple / co-parent relationship and consider what professionals can do to support effectively.
The course aims:-
- Consider the range of stressors on a co-parent relationship
- Explore the research around parental relationships and SEND
- Reflect upon the impact on relationships of having a child with SEND
- Consider what parents need from us and how we can acknowledge their relationship pressures.
Parental Conflict and the impact on children
17 September 2024 4:00-5:00pm via MS Teams
This session, aimed at schools and settings, provides an introduction and overview of the topic of “parental conflict” and what the evidence tells us about how children and young people may be impacted when their parents’ relationship is distressed and/or communication is poor. The session will provide details of how schools and settings can obtain support for parents whose own relationship challenges (whether together or separated) may be negatively affecting their children’s outcomes.
Understanding parental conflict
24 September 2024 9:30-4:00pm Families First Faraday Road, Stafford, ST16 3NQ
This one-day course, aimed at anyone who works directly with children, young people & their parents including school pastoral staff, will give delegates an overview of the key principles of healthy parental relationships and the impact of parental conflict. It will provide practical tools and resources to help delegates identify, explore and support parents in conflict.
The course aims:-
- To explore the key research and evidence linked to parental conflict in the UK, the effects on children and young people
- To be able to confidently define parental conflict and understand the difference between that and domestic abuse
- To understand the key principles of conflict and how it manifests
- To have knowledge of a range of practical tools to identify, explore and support parents in conflict.
- To consider the importance of our approach and how we build effective relationships with parents
- Have an understating of referral and signposting options for further support.
For more information and to book a place on any of the courses email children.families.training@staffordshire.gov.uk with the delegate name, setting name, email address, name of course and date. (Please do not contact the EEAC team)
Launch of the 'Pick up the Phone' Campaign
Wednesday 11th September, 12.30-1.30pm via MS Teams
Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) are pleased to announce the launch of the Pick up the Phone Campaign.
They recognise the challenges practitioners face as part of their safeguarding duties when sharing important information across borders and the complexity this brings. This campaign hopes to highlight the significance of cross border information sharing and how to achieve this more effectively ensuring babies, children and vulnerable adults remain safe and their needs identified at the earliest possible time. Click here to see a 7 minute briefing for Pick up the Phone.
Everyone who works with children and their families including adults with care and support needs are invited to attend the event by clicking the link below at the time of the launch.
Family Hub network launches
The Staffordshire Family Hub network launched on Monday 29 July with a series of Family Fun Day launch events held across the county.
Family Hubs bring together local services and advice for babies, children, and young people aged 0-18 (or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and their families.
The launch events marked the opening of all 13 Family Hubs. All eleven Children’s Centres, along with Families First at Basin Lane and Faraday Road are now Family Hubs and we are continuing to grow the network, creating spaces where families can easily access help, support, services and activities in places like libraries, health centres and community spaces in their local area.
Click the link below to find out more information and to sign up to email updates.
Funding offers for 2 year olds
Remember, there are TWO funding offers available for families with 2 year olds.
Think2 - this is for parents on a low income who are in receipt of some additional government support eg Universal Credit. Some parents may be working. Applications and eligibility checking is performed by the EEAC team.
Successful Think2 applicants receive an 18 digit eligibility code beginning with TYF860 which should be used to do a 'Placement' on your EY Portal. The funding can be used straight away if the child is age eligible. Parents do not fall out of eligibility and do not need to reconfirm their code. Additionally, parents do not need to apply to Childcare Choices.
For criteria and more details visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/think2
Working Parent Entitlement - this is for working parents who meet the income criteria for children 9 months and older. Applications and eligibility checking is performed by Childcare Choices (HMRC).
Successful applicants receive an 11 digit eligibility code beginning with 500 which can be validated on your EY Portal. The code is valid the term after the successful application and parents need to reconfirm this every 3 months with Childcare Choices.
For criteria and more details visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
A small number of parents may be eligible for both the working parent entitlement and Think2. Parents may choose which funding they wish to apply for and only one funding stream may be accessed. Please also note that a small number of parents may not qualify for either entitlement as it is not a universal entitlement for 2 year olds.
Working Parent code checking - if a Working Parent code shows not eligible when checking on the EY Portal, they should try again in a day or two as there may be a delay in the Eligibility Checking System updating the details.
Grace periods - It should also be remembered that parents can still access their funding until the end of their Grace period; however, this is not the case if they choose to move providers during their Grace period. Please refer to the Provider Agreement 2024 sections 8.17-8.20 for more information.
Please do not hesitate to contact the EEAC team if you are unsure on what to advise parents; we will be happy to help. Our contact details are below.
Click the link below for more information for parents to help with childcare costs.
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