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 12 June 2020
Good morning. Another Friday and another thank you for all your hard work. As more children are now returning to settings, we are hearing some lovely stories about how happily children are going back to their settings and how children who have found it hard to go in are leaving having had a great time. Thank you for all your planning that has put children at the centre and given them a great experience, even with the current restrictions. We hope you all manage to find some time at the weekend to do something for yourself to help you feel refreshed and recuperated.
Furlough for parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave
We would like to highlight the announcement on 9 June from the Chancellor that parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the furlough scheme even after the 10 June cut-off date. Claims from July onwards will be restricted to employers currently using the scheme and previously furloughed employees. However, this announcement confirms that parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the coming months, after a long period of absence, will be permitted to be furloughed. This also applies to staff on adoption leave, shared parental leave, and parental bereavement leave.
Holiday Playschemes
At present, there is still no decision on whether holiday playschemes will be allowed to operate in the upcoming summer holidays. There are a few parliamentary questions (here and here) awaiting answers which may provide some useful insight and help move things along within government. We will of course inform you of any published answers or subsequent updates to government guidance, via these setting udpates.
Informing the Department for Education (DfE) of the death of a carer or colleague
Guidance on Informing DfE of the death of a colleague across children's services was published on 9 June. They are asking employers and providers to tell them if a carer or colleague in children’s services has died. This includes staff working in the early years and childcare sector. You are encouraged to tell the family, friends or colleagues of the individual who has died, that you are submitting this information. The DfE are requesting information if:
- the death of a carer or colleague in children’s services has already occurred, relating to coronavirus (COVID-19)
- there are any further deaths of carers or colleagues across children’s services relating to coronavirus (COVID-19)
- there are any deaths of carers or colleagues across children’s services relating to other causes
There is no legal duty on employers and providers to submit this information to the DfE. However, this information will help to make sure the appropriate steps can be taken following the death of a carer or colleague within children’s services.
To notify the DfE of a death, please email: CSCcovid.NOTIFICATIONS@education.gov.uk
Business recovery webinars
We have commissioned NDNA to deliver a Business Recovery Webinar for all early years settings, out of school clubs and childminders providing an opportunity to be part of a group with direct access to a trainer from NDNA.
There are 100 free places available and will take place on 16 June between 7pm and 8pm. You can book your place here, or search the Learning and Development Gateway for code EYT 20/2049. You must have access to a computer, the internet, a web camera with microphone and have set up a Zoom account to be able to participate. Mobile phones are acceptable, but not recommended due to the small screen.
The aim of this webinar is to help you plan the recovery of your business during the COVID-19 pandemic. There may be many variables and a lot of uncertainty, yet without a plan you cannot even start, fight and grow your business, so that when the social distancing guidelines are removed and the children return, you are in control when responding to the situation.
If you apply what you learn in the webinar you will be able to:
- carry out a health check on your business
- identify business areas to focus upon and respond accordingly, and
- apply your knowledge of business recovery to plan for the future.
Paediatric First Aid (Blended) course
This full Paediatric First Aid course is provided through a blended learning offer of six hours of online study followed by a six hour face to face training day. Face to face sessions are available from September 2020 and we are reviewing numbers weekly to ensure that everyone who needs a place can access this training. Courses cost £60 per person with 12 places available on each course which can be booked via the Learning and Development Gateway. View dates, times and venues here.
New learning network launched for early years workers
On 8 June, the Anna Freud Centre launched Early Years in Mind, a new learning network aimed at early years workers. The learning network will offer early years workers guidance and information to help them improve the mental health and development of the babies and children in their care. To find out more or to sign up, please follow the link above.
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Guidance
Guidance on promoting everyone's emotional wellbeing has been produced by West Sussex County Council to support staff, children and parents in the phased return to school. Whilst school focused, we thought it may also be a useful tool for early years and childcare providers in supporting those who may be anxious about their return to settings, with a section on staff wellbeing.
Public health update
Further to setting update 48 on 3 June, please find attached a further letter from PHE and a really helpful flow chart which outlines actions to take in various circumstances.
The most important message in this information is that PHE will be there to support you with any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and will provide advice and guidance and template letters to assist in your communication to parents.
Please inform the Family Information Service if your current operating status changes. Email family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk and include your setting name, Ofsted URN, the date you intend to close/open, and any changes to your operating hours. If you inform us of re-opening, you will be reinstated on the public list and appear on our website www.westsussex.gov.uk/fis.
If you are unable to re-open following the COVID-19 restirctions, please complete a Recovery Plan and send a copy by email to family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk with your setting name and 'Recovery Plan' in the subject. This is so that we can look at the barriers you have identified and support you to re-open as soon as practicable.
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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#51 10 June (CJRS deadline today, statement re OOS provision, transitions booklet, infant mental health awareness)
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#50 8 June (updated FAQs/guidance, PPE, EH Services, family activities, insurance)
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#49 5 June (Responsibilities, Recovery Plan template, Inclusion, OSC, protective measures, Discretionary Fund)
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#48 3 June (Actions guidance, OSC provision, EYFS disapplications, Ofsted, PHE letter, resources, toothbrushing/fluoride varnish)
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#47 1 June (Data capture, Use of funding, Self-employment support, Stay at home guidance, Insurance)
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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