With you, with the child. Every step of the way.
Broadcast for Early Years and childcare providers in West Sussex from West Sussex County Council - Early Help Service
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Thursday 23 April 2020
Hopefully the first week of the Summer term has been going well with lots of fun activities for all. As the COVID-19 restrictions continue it is important that you keep yourselves and your loved ones healthy, whilst also juggling your own personal caring responsibilities, looking out for friends, neighbours and your wider communities, which can at times be quite difficult. Thank you for all that you are doing.
Reminder for tomorrow
The next DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision is tomorrow. Please use this link to complete your return. The survey will open for 24 hours on Friday 24 April.
Updated guidance: Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
Those who work in the education and childcare sector rightly take their place next to NHS staff and other critical workers as central to the efforts in battling this virus. Nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and childcare settings for school-age children around the country are taking the lead in supporting families through this difficult time. We are keenly aware that the extraordinary measures that have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 present an unprecedented challenge for childcare settings as well as the communities they serve.
To reflect this the Department for Education (DfE) has now published the next iteration of the early years guidance, which can be found here. Please note the title of this guidance has changed from Early years and childcare closures to Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak.
Flexibility to use Free Entitlement funding to secure childcare for children of critical workers and vulnerable children
You may already be aware, yesterday (Wednesday 22 April) the DfE announced that "Local authorities will, in exceptional cases, be able to redistribute their free childcare entitlement funding differently to ensure sufficient childcare places are available for the children of critical workers and for vulnerable children, where their usual arrangements are no longer possible as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19)."
The DfE will be updating their guidance to set out how local authorities can use their Free Entitlement funding differently. Once this has been published we will review the guidance and inform you of how this will be implemented within West Sussex.
This announcement does not affect how you should submit your Summer term Actuals claims. Please ensure you follow the instructions for claiming as detailed in yesterday's broadcast (Wednesday 22 April).
Helping Children Learn at home
The government has published some advice for parents and carers of children who have not yet started school. This gives guidance on how to help children learn at home and looks at socialising while social distancing. Please share this with your families to compliment the support you will have already been giving to those children who are not currently attending. You can access the document here.
Creating a Time Capsule
We are currently living through a key moment in history so why not create a time capsule to look back on in years to come. This is a great idea for an activity for all ages to do. You could help the children in your setting or encourage children to complete it with their family, or even with your own family. There are free activity sheets which you can download here. The year 2020 is certainly going to be one to remember.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - including links to Gov.UK information
Please note: We are reviewing our FAQs and streamlining the document to make it easier for you to use, and will publish the new document when ready. Whilst we are reviewing the current FAQs, we will make any necessary updates to existing answers. You can still submit any new questions you have for us by email family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk, adding COVID-19 setting query to the subject line.
Please ensure that you additionally refer to the latest Government FAQs on Gov.UK
Reminder: Data capture survey required every Wednesday and Friday
All providers please complete a short online survey, twice a week, every Wednesday and Friday. The link to the survey is different each time. A link will be provided in the morning broadcast on each of the days it is required. Each survey will only be open on the day it is required, and will close at midnight.
Links to our most recent COVID-19 setting updates:
22/4 Update 26 (Summer Term FE Actuals, and celebrating your fantastic work)
21/4 Update 25 (FE Actuals, DAF, Inclusion Funding applications, SEND Champions)
20/4 Update 24 (CJRS; business rates; EYC closures guidance)
17/4 Update 23 (Lockdown extension, Friday survey open, celebrating work)
16/4 Update 22 (Starting school offers, furlough eligibility change)
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