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PLEASE SHARE THESE UPDATES WITH ALL STAFF
Dingley's Promise feedback sessions
We are hosting two sessions for you to give your feedback about Early Years SEND systems across Staffordshire.
Get involved in making sure the Early Years SEND systems in Staffordshire are as simple and accessible as possible.
Link up with Dingley’s Promise Head of Quality who can provide support on any Early Years SEND questions or challenges you have.
Share your voice with Dingley’s Promise CEO to raise with MPs and Ministers in Westminster as they consider reforms to the SEND system.
Thursday 26 June 2025
Newcastle Family Hub, Cemetery Rd, Knutton, ST5 6DH 9:30 to 11:30am
Stafford Family Hub, Faraday Rd, Stafford, ST16 3NQ 1:30 to 3:30pm
To express an interest in taking part, email eeac@staffordshire.gov.uk
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Level 3 EY SENCO Award training delivered by SCC Early Years
Staffordshire County Council's Early Years team is thrilled to announce they will be delivering the Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award, a fully funded FREE training programme.
This accredited course offers comprehensive training over 12 days, spanning the Autumn and Spring terms of 2025-2026. Participants will benefit from a blend of virtual and face-to-face sessions, ensuring a flexible and engaging learning experience.
Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and make a difference to the lives of young children with SEND in your setting.
Email for more details and to express your interest.
EY Finance news
September rollout of expansion of 30 hours to working parents of 2 year olds and under 2's
Work is currently underway to update the system for the expansion of hours from 1 September 2025 for eligible 2 year olds and under 2's.
The Finance team will be hosting a Provider Briefing to update Providers on the changes to the system and what is required for the Autumn Forecast Task (due out on 2 July).
The Provider briefings will take place on:
The sessions are the same so you only need to attend one. There is no need to book, just click on the relevant link to attend 5 minutes before the session time.
Slides and a recording will be made available after the sessions if you are unable to attend.
Summer Actual Task
The Summer Actual Task opened on Wednesday 4 June 2025 and will close on Friday 13 June 2025.
You will need to complete this task if you have funded children in the Summer Term or your payments will be affected.
Please note that, due to DfE reporting requirements, the Summer Actual Task is later that originally planned. therefore, the payment in July has had to be rescheduled to week ending 18 July 2025. Those on Option 1 (75% up front model) will receive the Actual payment in full that week. Those on Option 2 (monthly payments) will receive 50% that week and 50% during week ending Friday 1 August.
If you need any further information or are unable to complete your task email eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk as soon as possible, remembering to quote your provider ID number.
Help shape Staffordshire's SEND and Alternative Provision strategy
The current SEND strategy sets out Staffordshire’s vision and priorities from 2021 to 2026.
Ahead of refreshing the strategy for the years ahead, it is now time to reflect on what has been achieved, celebrate what’s working well, and identify where SEND support can be improved.
It’s important that those affected by the strategy have the opportunity to shape it. There are three ways people can get involved:
- Survey for children and young people
- Parents and carers can attend a community conversation
- Anyone can share a digital post-it note
All feedback will help Staffordshire County Council, working with Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board, develop a joint strategy that builds on progress already made and sets out Staffordshire’s local response to national policy and funding challenges.
For further details and to take part click the link below.
Free training opportunities
Brilliant Baby Brains
More of our settings across Staffordshire are offering places for babies to accommodate the new entitlements and we recognise the importance of ensuring every baby gets the best start in life.
This training was written by the speech and language therapy service in the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and is aimed at practitioners working in nurseries and preschools with babies from 0-18 months with a key focus around 9 months. By the end of the course you will:
- feel more confident in the ages and stages of development in the first 18 months of life,
- understand the key role practitioners play in enhancing children’s development,
- feel more confident in knowing what activities to try to enhance baby development,
- feel more confident in knowing what activities to advise parents to use,
- have a range of strategies and activities to use in the workplace.
This course is in 3 parts, practitioners must attend all 3 sessions.
- Thursday 26 June 2025 9:30am to 12pm
- Thursday 3 July 2025 9:30am to 12pm
- Thursday 10 July 2025 9:30am to 12pm
All places must be booked through the Practitioner Hub. Click the link below to book your place on the EY Practitioner Hub.
Early Years update for schools
These sessions, aimed at teachers and practitioners working in nursery and reception classes, offer an opportunity to collaborate with other school-based Early Years colleagues to discuss and share practice. Stay informed with the latest insights and updates from the Early Years sector.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the latest national updates in early years and reflect on their impact on the sector.
- Discuss local developments in early years across Staffordshire.
- Network with other schools and foster a community of knowledge and improvement.
Monday 23 June 2025 3:30 to 4:30pm via MS Teams
All places must be booked through the Practitioner Hub. Click the link below to book your place on the EY Practitioner Hub.
Free HUB webinars
FREE webinar for settings and schools
11 June 2025, 12:00 to 1:00pm
Join this Childcare Works live session to find out more about the new Early Years Toolkit, created specifically for providers. The webinar will cover:
- free resources and information available to make sure your nursery, school or setting is ready for the roll-out of expanded early years entitlements in September 2025
- advice tailored to your needs at every stage - whether you are just setting out, are sustaining your existing early years provision or are looking to grow
- practical support and fast access to information on a range of topics including business planning and meeting the needs of children with SEND.
This informal and friendly session is for:
- early years setting managers, leaders and owners
- school leaders who have, or are considering developing their early years provision
- childminders
- everyone who wants to learn more about how to start, grow and sustain an early years setting.
The webinar will feature guest presenter:
- Meggie Fisher, Head of Quality, Dingley’s Promise
NOTE: This webinar will contain the same information and presentation as shared at the event held on 6 May at 7pm.
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FREE webinar for Wraparound childcare providers
10 June 2025, 7pm to 8pm
Join this Childcare Works live session for wraparound childcare providers and find out about the guidance and information available to support you and your out of school club or childminding business - including breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs and playschemes. It's an opportunity for you to find out more about the new Wraparound Toolkit, packed with resources specifically for wraparound providers. The webinar will cover:
- practical support and fast access to information tailored for all kinds of wraparound childcare providers - whatever the size of your wraparound provision or setting
- a carefully curated collection of free resources to support your business planning and the sustainability of your provision or club
- free resources available to you on a broad range of topics including activity planning, providing food for children and meeting the needs of children with SEND.
This informal and friendly session is for:
- childminders
- school leaders who have, or are considering developing their wraparound provision
- wraparound childcare business owners, managers and leaders
- everyone who wants to learn more about how to start, grow and sustain a wraparound childcare business.
The webinar will feature guest presenters:
- Craig Jones, Community Partnerships Director, Junior Adventures Group (provider of before, during and after-school activity clubs and holiday clubs)
- Mark West, Founder and CEO, FUNdays Club
NOTE: This webinar will contain the same information and presentations as shared at the event held on 14 May 12-1pm.
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Infant Mental Health Awareness Week
Next week is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme this year is, 'Who is holding the baby?' highlighting that not everyone bonds easily with their baby, and that parents who are overwhelmed by trauma, or struggling with mental or physical health difficulties, need support.
Although Infant Mental Health should always be a priority, it is an excellent opportunity to have discussions in your setting on how you support infants with their mental health.
For information on children’s mental health, visit Help for Early Years Providers mental health page.
Click the link below to take part in free Early years child development training which includes a module on supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development.
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