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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Friday 24 April 2020
We know this has been a challenging week with all the new guidance and information being released about the financial support your setting can and will receive. We are receiving this information at the same time as you, and doing our very best to digest this to keep you as informed as possible, as quickly as we can. We appreciate that many of you are frustrated with this latest news. We are doing everything we can to provide support and information in a timely manner. We are all in this together and need to be kind and respectful to each other.
At this time it is increasingly difficult to switch off, to be inaccessible and to relax, really relax and recharge the batteries so please take the opportunity to have a good break over the upcoming weekend where you can.
Reminder
The next DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision is today. Please use this link to complete your return. The survey will close at midnight.
Key worker applications for coronavirus test
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced that if you are a key worker who is self-isolating (not able to leave home), you can now apply for you and your household to get tested. If your test result turns out to be negative, you can safely return to work.
Employees can apply for a test directly on GovUK, with a choice of drive-through testing or a home test kit. Employers can also register online to refer self-isolating staff. Visit GovUK – Getting tested for more information.
Letter from the Secretary of State for Education
On 23 April 2020 the Secretary of State for Education has sent a letter to all education providers sharing his gratitude for your work in caring for our most vulnerable children and young people, placing special emphasis on continued efforts to ensure as many of these children and young people are supported to attend where it is in their best interests to do so.
Updated/new guidance
The DfE has updated its guidance on supporting vulnerable children. It includes clarifications to the existing guidance about the actions to be taken for each group around their attendance. Also newly published is SEND risk assessment guidance on how to provide safe places for children with SEND.
New Support Finder tool launched
The government has launched a new platform to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to determine what financial support is available to them during the pandemic. The support finder involves a simple questionnaire that will signpost to the financial support available. Read Press Release | Launch Support Finder
Social Media
Since the COVID-19 restrictions came into place, the Family Information Service has been posting information out to parents every day via their Facebook page. Information has been provided on government guidance, changes to benefits, ideas for activities to do with children, domestic abuse support, books to share, supporting young people in their family and lots more besides. Lots of this information may be useful to yourselves in supporting families so if you'd like to follow the Facebook page, or encourage parents to, you can access it at FISWestSussex.
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.
Please note: We are reviewing our FAQ document to make it easier for you to use, and will publish the new document when ready. You can still submit any new questions you have for us by email, adding 'COVID-19 setting query' to the subject line.
If a family you know are struggling to ensure they have food for their family, collect medication, or are in need of any additional support, contact West Sussex County Council Community hub.
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#27 23 April (Updated guidance; FE distribution; home learning; time capsules)
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#26 22 April (Summer Term FE Actuals, and celebrating your fantastic work)
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#25 21 April (FE Actuals, DAF, Inclusion Funding applications, SEND Champions)
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#24 20 April (CJRS; business rates; EYC closures guidance)
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#23 17 April (Lockdown extension, Friday survey open, celebrating work)
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