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 15 May 2020
This week has seen some important information provided by Government, with the need for all providers to start planning effectively for the potential wider opening of provision on 1 June. Please ensure you've read our earlier broadcasts, and the Government publications that affect you - links to all of these can be found further down in this broadcast if you missed any.
Thank you once again for all you are doing to support our children, families and young people in West Sussex. With good weather expected this weekend we hope that you find the time to recharge and have some well-earned down time.
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.
Changes to data capture
In relation to the reminder above, we have previously asked you to complete a short survey twice a week. However, we know how busy you all are and want to help reduce any extra work we are asking you to do as much as we possibly can, so you can focus on your children and their families. Your responses are being used to inform not just the DfE but we are also now able to use your data to supply Ofsted with key information.
Having listened to the feedback we have had from settings we plan to reduce the burden on you by moving to just one data capture per week. It will therefore be even more important that as many settings as possible complete this, and we hope these steps will enable more settings to submit their data.
We will also keep the survey open for three whole days, Monday to Wednesday (closing at midnight). Therefore, rather than supplying figures for the specific day, we ask that you provide us with the total number of children attending the setting that week. This new approach will begin w/c 18 May with the survey being open on 18-20 May.
Updated Guidance from the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO)
The LADO Team has produced some guidance about managing allegations. You can find this in the 'LADO Information Pack' on the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
Early Years Alliance - useful information
You may wish to read the useful information on the Early Years Alliance website relating to operation, including FAQs relating to re-opening. We previously reported that the DfE are due to provide more detailed guidance about re-opening, and we will of course provide a link in our broadcasts for you, when published.
Supporting Settings to Re-Open
As you are aware, the government has asked settings to open for all children from 1 June. We realise that for all of you, this will require some careful planning and organisation to support your staff, families and the children in your care. Those of you who have been able to remain open have done an amazing job and have adapted your practice to care for children safely. It would be great if you were happy to share some of your top tips which might help those settings that have been unable to open and are now planning their re-opening. We understand that this has been a difficult time for everyone, but we hope that we can continue to work together for the benefit of the children and families so if you have any ideas of things that might support other providers, please email them to family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk so that we can share them with others and we can learn from each other.
Submit your questions to the Department for Education
Foundation Years are hosting a video podcast with DfE to answer your questions on preparing for wider opening of early years settings from 1 June. Please send your questions to foundationyears@ncb.org.uk by 10am Monday 18 May to ensure consideration. Kindly note that they are unlikely to be able to address every question asked. An attempt will be made to ensure a representative sample of questions are posed and that key themes emerging from the sector are covered. The video podcast will be uploaded to the Foundation Years website to watch at your convenience.
Early Years Online Training Brochure for 2020 – 2021
We have now produced an interim training brochure to keep you updated with our training offer during the COVID-19 restrictions. Please be reassured that we are trying to determine the best way forward for our programme whilst continuing to support you. In order to keep delegates and trainers safe during COVID-19 we have taken the decision to cancel all face to face training and delay the start of our programme until later in the year.
All providers please complete a short online survey, once a week. The link to the survey is different each time. A link will be provided in each Monday broadcast, and the survey will be open for three full days each week from Monday to Wednesday, closing at midnight on the Wednesday.
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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#39 13 May (re-opening childminders, furloughing, business recovery webinars)
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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)
- 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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