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 1 June 2020
In recent weeks there has been large amounts of effort being given by so many to explore and prepare for the return of children to settings, by undertaking detailed risk assessments and plans. We would like to thank everyone for their hard work and commitment. We know that in making such plans it has not been easy to balance the needs of children whilst also considering risks. We are also aware that some settings have had to make quite difficult decisions about broadening their offer to more children and we thank you for your continued work on this.
Reminder
This week's 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). Please use this link to complete your return.
Use of free early education entitlements funding
The government had previously stated on Gov.UK that their guidance Use of free early education entitlements funding during coronavirus (COVID-19) would be updated by 1 June 2020. We have been waiting for this update to be able to confirm the funding arrangements from the 1 June for you. However, Gov.UK now states that “this guidance is under review following the Prime Minister’s announcement of 28 May. We will publish updated information as soon as possible.”
This is very frustrating for us all and we will continue to monitor this page and keep you updated as soon as further information is released.
Chancellor extends Self-Employment Support Scheme and confirms furlough next steps
On Friday 29 May 2020, the Chancellor announced that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will be extended, giving more security to individuals whose livelihoods are adversely affected by coronavirus in the coming months. The Chancellor also outlined further details on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, including improved flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part time in July, and a new taper requiring employers to contribute modestly to furloughed salaries from August.
Approach for settings relating to suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus.
For anyone – child or staff member - who believes they may have symptoms or is notified that they are a confirmed case of coronavirus, the individual affected must stay at home self-isolating, following the guidance found here.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, OR you have received a positive COVID-19 test result, the clear medical advice is to immediately self-isolate at home for at least seven days from when your symptoms started. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
- You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 if you haven’t already.
- Consider alerting the people that you have had close contact within the last 48 hours to let them know you have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Following a positive test result, you will receive a request by text, email or phone to log into the NHS Test and Trace service website and provide information about recent close contacts.
A manager receiving notification from a child or staff member should contact Public Health England, Sussex Health Protection Team:
- In-hours: (Monday – Friday 9am–5pm) 0344 225 3861, hold then option 3
- Out of hours: 0844 967 0069
Guidance is being updated regularly by the government so it is important to keep yourselves up to date. Should anything significant change then we will inform you via these setting updates.
Insurance cover
The Department for Education has provided the following advice in relation to insurance:
- Business interruption insurance - For childcare providers which have a policy that covers government-ordered closure and unspecified notifiable diseases, the government’s social distancing instructions are sufficient to allow businesses to make a claim against their insurance, provided the other terms and conditions in their policy are met.
- Public liability insurance - For childcare providers with public liability insurance, the Association of British Insurers’ members continue to offer cover to settings, whether open or closed, with no change to terms and conditions to existing policies.
- Providers should check their terms and conditions with their insurance company.
- Providers can seek further advice from the Association of British Insurers on 0207 600 3333 or info@abi.org.uk
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. The latest link to the survey is also available on our website.
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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#46 29 May (confirmation of next phase of recovery strategy, testing for under 5's, new guidance for children with SEND, new Neglect Strategy)
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#45 27 May (planning for broadening your offer to more children, communicating with parents about re-opening)
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#44 26 May (early years planning guide)
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#43 22 May PM (changes to data capture, updated guidance, access to key work places for EY practitioners, staffing your provision and staff survey)
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#42 20 May (Expansion of testing with new symptom identified, SSP rebate scheme, updated guidance, transcript of speech by Gavin Williamson, EY training)
We have a range of online training available for you to access for your staff to ensure they have the most up to date information to support them in their role:
- 15 Jun - Summer Term FE Actuals payments released (week commencing)
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