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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Monday 18 May 2020

COVID-19 setting update 41 (New guidance on safe working, planning to re-open)

Welcome back to another busy week. We hope you managed to find time over the weekend to relax and rest. Thank you once again for all you are doing to support children and families during the COVID-19 restrictions. It's now been just over a week since the government's announcement about the recovery strategy and the plans to open early years and childcare settings from 1 June.

We recognise that this is a difficult time for you all but hope you are beginning to take steps to ascertain the needs of your parents, what their intentions are, and consider what you might need to put in place to re-open.

Reminder

The next DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision is now open, and will close at the end of Wednesday (midnight). From this week you are only required to complete this once per week. Please use this link to complete your return.

New guidance on safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care

The government have published new guidance on preventing and controlling infection, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), in education, childcare and children’s social care settings during the COVID-19 outbreak. This guidance is for all staff in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, young people and parents. It explains the principles of infection prevention and control to enable safe working during the COVID-19 outbreak including advice on minimising contact, changes to work practices, hand and respiratory hygiene, increased cleaning of the environment and when you might need to use PPE.

Planning to re-open

As you begin to think about and plan for re-opening, in addition to the new guidance above there is lots of helpful information at the following links:

• Early Years Alliance - Operating during the coronavirus lockdown and beyond
• Early Years Alliance - Controlling infection in your early years setting
• PACEY - Re-opening toolkit for early years settings
• Health and Safety Executive - Risk management

You may also want to start thinking about communicating with parents about what measures you will be putting in place to keep their children safe, providing them with the level of reassurance they are likely to be seeking.

Reminder - data capture survey required weekly

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.

Links to COVID-19 guidance on GovUK

• Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak (formerly called Early years and childcare closures)
• Financial support for education, early years and children’s social care
• Claim for wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Find coronavirus financial support for your business (Support Finder tool)
• Implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings
• What parents and carers need to know about schools and education during the coronavirus outbreak
• Supporting vulnerable children and young people during the coronavirus outbreak
• SEND risk assessment guidance
• List of online education resources for home education
• Apply for a key worker coronavirus test
• EYFS: coronavirus disapplications
• Using clusters and hubs to maintain educational provision
• EHCP: guidance on temporary legislative changes
• Frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak
• The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
• Actions for educational and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020
• Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care NEW

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• COVID-19 FAQs for West Sussex EY settings (Updated 1 May)

Support for vulnerable families

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.

Links to our most recent setting updates

• #40 15 May (data capture frequency, LADO toolkit, re-opening tips, DfE vodcast, training brochure)
• #39 13 May (re-opening childminders, furloughing, business recovery webinars)
• #38 12 May PM (Planning for the future)
• #37 12 May AM (new government guidance and COVID-19 recovery strategy)
• #36 11 May (eligibility for childcare offers, government financial support)

Upcoming key dates

• 22 May - Summer Term FE Actuals submissions close
• 25 May - Bank Holiday
• 15 Jun - Summer Term FE Actuals payments released (week commencing)

Please do NOT reply to this broadcast.

If you have any queries with the broadcast email EarlyHelpCentral@westsussex.gov.uk

Please note that it is the setting's responsibility to forward this broadcast to all staff working within your organisation.

Central Operations Team

Early Help Service | Children's Services | People Services

First Floor, The Grange, County Hall, Chichester, PO19 1RG
www.westsussex.gov.uk/earlyyearsandchildcare

01243 777807  |  family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk