With you, with the
child. Every step of the way.
Weekly broadcast for Early Years and Childcare settings from the Integrated Prevention and Earliest Help Service.
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Wednesday 28 August 2019
Autumn term Free Entitlement actuals – opening Monday 2 September
The Online Provider Portal (OPP) will be open for Autumn term Free Entitlement (FE) actuals claims from Monday 2 September 2019.
Please view the ‘Provider portal – help and guidance’ document available at: www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsportal. To ensure you submit your claims correctly please refer to the Actuals help guide and YouTube video, which also cover how to submit Disability Access Fund (DAF) and Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) claims.
Headcount day: Thursday 19 September 2019.
Final deadline for return: Friday 27 September 2019.
For further information please read the document entitled ‘Additional information for providers pdf’ at: www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsfreeentitlement.
If you have any queries please email free.entitlement@westsussex.gov.uk
On 23 September 2018 the government passed new accessibility regulations, the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, which may apply to your public facing websites.
The government will start monitoring compliance with these regulations in 2020. More information on this will be available on GOV.UK shortly.
Why these regulations were introduced
The new regulations were introduced to ensure all public-facing websites and mobile applications (such as smart phone and tablet apps) are accessible to all users, especially those with disabilities.
What does this mean for you
Schools and early years’ providers have been granted an exemption from the regulations, for everything except ‘essential administrative activities offered online’ – for example, a form that lets you outline school meal preferences.
For those activities, websites and mobile apps must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG2.1AA) standard by the following timescales:
If your website or app was published:
- after 23 September 2018 you must be compliant by 23 September 2019
- before 23 September 2018 you must be compliant by 23 September 2020
All mobile applications must meet WCAG2.1AA standards by 23 June 2021.
More information can be found on the Foundation Years website here.
Feedback on SEND Information, Advice and Support Services
National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been commissioned by the DfE to conduct a customer satisfaction survey, collecting feedback from all those who have sought the help of SEND Information, Advice and Support Services.
This includes children and young people, their parents, carers, friends and family and professionals.
NCB is encouraging anyone who has used, or tried to use, these services in the last 12 months to complete a short survey which should take around five minutes to complete. The survey can be accessed here. Please share the link with anyone you know who may have feedback to give.
Study on men in the early years workforce seeks survey participants
Currently in the UK, only 2% of the early years workforce is male. The Gender EYE project at Lancaster University, in partnership with the Fatherhood Institute, is aiming to find out why.
Researchers on the project have created two surveys to help them gain a better understanding of the early years workforce in terms of age, qualifications, training, challenges and support.
The survey for practitioners will cover these areas and ask about roles undertaken. The survey for managers will have specific questions on development and recruitment strategies for attracting men to early years education.
The surveys are completely anonymous and open to all staff regardless of gender. The surveys will be available until 30 September and can be found here. Results will be published at the end of 2020.
Latest newsletters
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Upcoming Key Dates
Date What's happening?
02/09/19 FE Autumn Actuals - submissions open
19/09/19 FE Autumn Headcount Day
27/09/19 FE Autumn Actuals - submissions close
27/09/19 Inclusion funding applications deadline (for October panel)
Previously on the weekly broadcast
Wednesday 21 August
- Online resources to support provision for two-year-olds
- Get ahead of the competition – check your setting information today
Wednesday 14 August
- MPLC - Motion Picture Licencing Company
Wednesday 7 August
- Consultation on Ofsted Fees
- Cry Sis Sleep Support
- Pacey Childminding Survey
Wednesday 31 July
- 30 hours codes deadline for Autumn term Extended Free Entitlement (FE) places
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