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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Wednesday 13 May 2020
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.
Re-opening of Childminders
Since the government's announcement on Sunday 10 May about the recovery strategy, there has been some confusion around the dates on which Childminders were intended to open from. As a result the Department for Education (DfE) has been liaising with PACEY and clarified the following yesterday evening:
- If you are a childminder that is already open and currently caring for children of key workers or vulnerable children, you can stay open and continue caring for these children. However, you should not take on any more new children.
- If you are a childminder not currently open at all, you may now open for a child or children from one other household, providing it is in line with current guidelines to minimise the risk of spreading infection.
It is therefore up to individual childminders whether you wish to open now or take time to plan and prepare to open to all children from 1 June. This is all subject to the fact that the recovery strategy is conditional, for example that the rate of COVID-19 infections continue to decline at the current rate. We understand any final decision on whether childcare settings can reopen will be taken on 28 May and will of course provide with any updates or changes to this as soon as we are able.
We recognise this announcement may still raise further questions from childminders but the DfE have indicated they will be developing a toolkit to support all settings within the sector to re-open in a way that minimises risk for the children and families in their care as well as all staff, or for childminders your own family.
Furloughing Staff
It was announced on 12 May by the Chancellor that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended until October, with employees on the scheme to continue to receive 80% of wages up to a ceiling of £2,500 per month. The scheme will not change until the end of July, however from August to October it is expected that there will be greater flexibility so furloughed employees can return to work part time. Full details are expected by the end of May.
The document Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: A step by step guide for employers was updated on 11 May to ensure it was clearer and included recent additions to the process.
Free Business Recovery Webinars
Following on from yesterday's broadcast (12 May PM) around planning for the future, we are pleased to share information on the NDNA's Business Recovery webinar. It provides information and support for childcare providers to manage business continuity post COVID-19.
“Bringing a business out of an economic winter is not for the faint hearted. It takes strength of character, tenacity and a solid action and financial plan. Survival does not just happen, you have to work for it. The best time to plan for the recovery of a business is during the crisis. There may be many variables and a lot of uncertainty, yet without a plan you cannot even start. Fight and grow your business now so that once the social distancing guidelines are removed and the children return you are responding to the situation in control.”
- If you are an NDNA member you can access this free training via the NDNA website.
- If you are not an NDNA member and would like to access this training, please email early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk and let us know. Once we have an idea of numbers we can organise access for you free of charge.
We are also exploring options for childminders so if you are a childminder and would like this training tailored for you please put (childminder) after your name, within your email.
Celebrating Your Great Work - Part 4
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Skylarks Pre-school in Horsham have remained open to key workers/vulnerable children, however most parents are choosing not to send their children. The manager is remaining in touch with those key workers on a day to day basis to find out which days they need childcare to ensure the setting can open for those days. In addition to this, the manager has made up home learning packs and has been delivering these weekly whilst doing doorstep check-ins to those most vulnerable families. The setting provides resources and games with ideas and strategies to try at home while children are not attending the setting. This has been very well received from both the children and the parents. For one child in receipt of EYPP, they have ordered resources to support the child's learning to be delivered straight to their home address. This means that the child can access these resources quickly to enhance his learning and development.
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ABC Hook Lane nursery created a ‘drive-through’ restaurant for their children, making outfits for the staff, laminated payment cards for each child, creating meal boxes and sauce pots. The children used their bikes and cars and they created the whole thing so the children could order their meals and then drive through and collect, before enjoying them of course. The staff cooked and packed the children’s meals up for them as they drove through having lots of fun learning on the way. In the afternoon they revamped it and made it into a ‘click and collect’ site so the children could carry on with this play in the ways we are all living our lives at the moment. They sent pictures home to the families and they received cards of thanks back.
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A Pre-School in Horsham have contacted their local newspaper to celebrate the work they are doing to support children through these times. The children have really enjoyed seeing themselves in their local paper and will be a great memory for them to keep to remind them of this unusual part of their history. It's also a good way to let families know about your setting in case they are thinking of accessing childcare in the near future.
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.
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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#38 12 May PM (Planning for the future)
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#37 12 May AM (new government guidance and COVID-19 recovery strategy)
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#36 11 May (eligibility for childcare offers, government financial support)
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#35 6 May (Cyber security; EHCP form; testing; furloughing links; VE Day)
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#34 4 May (FE Actuals reminder; amended regulations for EHCP timescales)
- 22 May - Summer Term FE Actuals submissions close
- 25 May - Bank Holiday
- 15 Jun - Summer Term FE Actuals payments released (week commencing)
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