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 3 June 2020
We are aware that many of you have either re-opened, or are in the process of re-opening, for additional children over the coming days and will be very engaged in planning for this. We thank you for your support in undertaking your risk assessments and planning for broadening your offer to more children in safe and manageable ways.
Reminder
This week's DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision closes at midnight. Please use this link to complete your return, if you have not already done so.
Updated guidance - Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak
The guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak was updated 2 June. The main changes to previous guidance are as follows:
- Restructured guidance in line with wider opening.
- Updated responsibilities in light of wider opening (section 2).
- Updated content on funding including early years entitlements funding, clarification that nurseries which are eligible for charitable status relief are not eligible for small business grant funding, lines on Competition and Markets Authority and insurance (section 3).
- Updated content on infection prevention and control summarising relevant guidance, including use of small groups and protocol on visits by essential professionals (section 4).
- New section on attendance, setting out principles of attendance, what to do if demand for places is high and whether children can attend two settings (section 5).
- Revised section on considerations for settings which replaces the old section on prioritising children, with new content on the use of community centres and before and after school clubs; additional materials included on supporting home learning; content removed on critical workers (section 6).
- New section on safeguarding and welfare including child protection policies, how to keep children safe online, considerations for children’s mental health and wellbeing and provisions for children with SEND (section 7).
- Updated content in EYFS section on paediatric first aid certificates (section 8.6).
Out of School provision
Section 6.3 of the guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak lays out operational information for before and after school clubs.
Providers which are registered with Ofsted or with a Childminder Agency which have before and after school clubs on school premises and can ensure they follow the protective measures guidance, are able to operate. This is only the case for registered providers which operate on school premises. All other out of school settings are not able to reopen. This means that if you operate your wraparound setting from a separate premises, such as a community centre or church hall, you cannot open. More information can be found in the guidance, and on the Out of School Alliance website.
Updated guidance - Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications
The guidance Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications was updated on 1 June. It outlines the temporary changes that came into force on 24 April 2020 and will last throughout the COVID-19 outbreak or until government stipulates otherwise. The long end date of the legislative changes is shown in regulations as 25 September 2020. These will be reviewed on a monthly basis and disapplications and modifications may be lifted earlier, for instance if government advice on self-isolation and social distancing is amended.
This updated guidance reflects the wider opening of early years settings from 1 June 2020 and to provide a clarification on progress checks for children aged 2 (section 5.1). That is, during the COVID-19 outbreak the government do not expect providers to undertake this check, but providers should still remain alert to any emerging concerns about any child in their care and endeavour to provide or seek additional support if needed. It is expected that the checks will take place as soon as is practical.
Ofsted - COVID-19 update
Ofsted guidance and information, relating to COVID-19, for schools, early years, children's social care and further education and skills providers was updated on 1 June. Please see here for all the information you need around regulatory activity including the inspection of early years providers as they return to providing care for all children.
Letter from Public Health England
We have received a letter from Public Health England to be shared with all early years and childcare settings. Whilst much of the information is covered in government guidance it provides a useful summary on what to do if a child or staff member develops symptoms.
COVID-19 - a range of Early Years Resources
- West Sussex Education and Skills Team have put together resource packs and may be helpful for you to use in your setting.
- You may find some of the resources on Childhood.org.au helpful (Australian website).
- PACEY have produced a free symptoms and testing flowchart.
- National Children's Bureau have also produced the following resources:
Update on supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnish programmes
Supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnish programmes, that were in place for pre-school aged children prior to COVID-19 restrictions, should not be re-established at this time but suspended during the initial recovery period as settings adjust to the return of children. This will be subject to review, in preparation for the reintroduction of the programmes in the autumn term.
When routine dentistry recommences on 8 June families should be encouraged to take their children to see their dentist for routine care and preventive advice and interventions such as the application of fluoride varnish. More details can be found in this letter from Public Health England.
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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#47 1 June (Data capture, Use of funding, Self-employment support, Stay at home guidance, Insurance)
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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)
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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