Congratulations - Outstanding!
Many congratulations to childminder Rosemarie Salek trading as Rosey Apples Childcare (2757054) in Tamworth for their recent Outstanding Ofsted judgement.
Rosie told us "It is our priority to build a sense of belonging and community around our childcare family; we are thrilled to have our dedication recognised."
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Free - EY Leadership Network
The manager network has been running termly over the past year and these sessions are becoming well established with settings across the Staffordshire districts. We are aware that some settings in the sector are stand alone and do not necessarily have access to support networks. These sessions are intended not only to deliver updates, but to be a forum to share good practice, share challenges and use collective knowledge and experience to solve problems.
Wednesday 20 November 2024 1:00pm to 2:30pm via MS Teams
Click the link to book your place on the EY Practitioner Hub.
Free - Training opportunities
1. When couples become carers–parental relationships where children have SEND
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.
14 November 2024 9:30 to 12:30 via MS Teams
To book a place 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)
2. Working with Dads and Significant Males
To increase knowledge and skills of the vital role fathers and male carers play in the lives of their children and to promote best practice from the workers supporting those children. This course is aimed at anyone who works directly with children and their parents.
- Understand the key research pertaining to fathers and male carers
- Be more reflective of their own approach to working with significant males and how their own values may influence their approach.
- Increase knowledge of some of the barriers to successful engagement of male carers
- Awareness of best practice when working with fathers and male carers
- Reflect upon how effective healthy relationship work with parents requires best practice with dads.
20 November 2024 9:30 to 1pm via MS Teams
To book a place 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)
3. New to SENCO refresher
It is aimed at EY settings SENCOs who have previously attended New to SENCO training and would like a refresher, SENCOs new to the role and Childminders.
These sessions will upskill practitioner knowledge and cover:
- which services we offer including the Tuesday Helpline
- using tracking forms for monitoring/part of the Assess, Plan, Do and Review cycle. (APDR)
- understanding the Early Years Forum
- understanding that SENCOs are required to send regular updates to Forum in a timely manner
- an overview of Dingley’s Promise and how to access applicable resources and training.
- knowing where to find additional training provided by EYSENIS team and other free training.
This is a 3 part event and delegates who book on should attend all 3 parts:-
- Wednesday 16 October 2024 10am to 11:30am via MS Teams
- Wednesday 6 November 2024 10am to 11am via MS Teams
- Wednesday 27 November 2024 10am to 11am via MS Teams
Click the link below to book your place on the EY Practitioner Hub.
4. Safeguarding and Welfare Workshop - meeting the needs of babies
This session, aimed at all EY practitioners caring for babies under two years of age including PVI nurseries and pre-Schools and Childminders, will support understanding of what you need to consider when creating a safeguarding culture for babies.
Click your preferred date below to book your place on the EY Practitioner Hub.
Wednesday 6 November 2024 1pm to 2:30pm via MS Teams
Wednesday 6 November 2024 5pm to 6:30pm via MS Teams
Thursday 7 November 2024 7pm to 8:30pm via MS Teams
5. Graduated response and how does this relate to an Education, Health and Care needs assessment?
This 2 part course, aimed at EY settings and SENCOs, will explore the graduated response, including how and when to implement and record the various elements of the graduated response. This includes environmental and practice changes, SMART targets and referrals to other agencies and more. Part 2 will focus on writing effective SMART targets, utilising cycles of Assess, Plan, Do and Review (APDR), how to deliver targeted plans effectively and who is the best person to do this, and how to address barriers and obstacles to implementation.
Delegates will be required to attend both parts of this event. There is an afternoon and an evening option; click your preferred time to book your place on the EY Practitioner Hub.
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Finance news
Finance Consultation
A reminder that the Finance team are undertaking a consultation on moving the payment dates from the third Friday of the month to the first Friday of each month, starting from 1 April 2025.
Providers are asked to submit one vote per setting. The consultation closes on 22 October 2024 and the option with the greatest number of votes will be chosen. The outcome will be published w/c 4 November.
Click the link below for more details and to take you to the questionnaire to cast your vote (it only takes a few seconds).
If you have any queries contact eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk, adding 'Provider Consultation' in the subject line.
Code validation
Please ensure you validate Working Parent codes on your Early Years portal promptly. You can do this even when there is no task open. When you validate the code, you can see from what date the code is valid before offering a place for that child. In addition, all the child's details will then show on your funding screen when the task opens-you will then only need to enter the hours attending.
Payment and task dates
The Autumn actual headcount task is open Wednesday 30 October to Thursday 7 November 2024.
Click the link below for further details of forthcoming task dates.
Easter 2025
The Summer Term funding period covers the period 1 April to 31 August, so settings can claim the first 2 weeks of the summer term before the Easter holidays, and then resume after the break to claim a maximum of 13 weeks funding.
Added to the 11 funded weeks in Spring Term and the 14 funded weeks in Autumn term, this totals 38 weeks funding across the academic year.
If you need any help contact the Finance team on 01785 854009 or email eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk
Ofsted news
Who needs to submit an EY2 form
If you want to become part of an Ofsted-registered childcare organisation you may need to complete an EY2 (application) form.
Ofsted may need to carry out checks on you even if you don’t care for children yourself, to make sure that everyone who is legally responsible for the children’s care, and anyone over 16 who could come into contact with children, is suitable.
Click the link below for more information, on the Ofsted Early Years blog.
Registered Childminders should use Ofsted's childminders: report new adults in the home service.
Early years education too important to be left to chance
Ofsted has published the final part in its series of 'Best start in life' research reviews relating to early years education.
It highlights how the 4 specific areas of learning give breadth and richness to the early years curriculum, and show how early learning is connected. It draws together all the findings from the research series and suggests the key indicators of an effective early years education.
Click the link below to learn more.
Early Years Financial Incentive - 'Golden Hello'
A reminder that this is the final term to be part of Staffordshire’s Early Years Financial Incentive (EYFI) ‘Golden Hello’ pilot. Funded by the DfE, the scheme offers a £1,000 incentive to those starting or returning to a career in early years, helping providers fill vacancies.
Join now by completing an Expression of Interest - Golden Hello | Let's Talk Staffordshire
Click the link below for more details and eligibility.
Staffordshire Connects - SEND Local Offer
Staffordshire Connects is our easy-to-use online directory. It connects professionals and residents to community services for children, young people and their families.
The directory provides details on the SEND local offer; you'll find advice, support and information, including health and care services, the parent carer forum and much more.
All of the services on the SEND local offer have been broken down and categorised by type. You can also view the services on a map, add services to a shortlist, and you can also filter your results down by area, and find your nearest service by typing your postcode into the filter section.
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From 21 to 25 October 2024 Staffordshire's Educational Psychology Service are hosting ‘Curious Conversations: Investigating Biases’, a week of virtual events for schools and EY settings. Guest speakers will cover topics such as the psychology of bias, belonging, fake news, hate and critical thinking. Anyone who has an interest in this area can attend. Click the link below for the full timetable including the link to book your place.
For any other enquiries email curious.conversations@staffordshire.gov.uk
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