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 15 June 2020
The weekend seems to go in a flash but we hope you were able to take some time for yourselves, wherever possible, and are refreshed for the week ahead. It is positive to see yet more settings being able to re-open and we not underestimate the amount of hard work this has entailed. Thank you for giving children a fun and positive experience in these challenging times.
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.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to complete this. This data in invaluable to support with our planning around sufficiency of childcare places across the county on a daily basis. To give you an idea on the numbers of children under 5 accessing childcare across the county, and how this has changed since the wider re-opening on 1 June, please see below:
 We hugely appreciate your ongoing support in sharing this information with us via the weekly data capture.
ICON
The ICON Programme is a preventative programme, based around helping parents cope with a crying baby. The word ‘ICON’ represents the following message:
- I – Infant crying is normal
- C – Comforting methods can sometimes soothe the baby
- O – It’s OK to walk away
- N – Never, ever shake a baby
You can visit the ICON website for more information or download the two factsheets, one for professionals and another for parents.
Reminder for settings that are currently closed
We are aware that some settings that have been closed in recent weeks but have been looking at ways to re-open for families in need of childcare. For those who are currently not able to re-open, we are asking you to 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. This process is being put in place in order for us to be able to meet our duties around sufficiency and use of public funds. We will use your Recovery Plan to identify where support can be given to you to re-open, which will support your long term sustainability as well as ensure that families have access to the childcare they need.
We have already received a number of recovery plans from settings but for those of you yet to submit please do so, using the template below, by this Friday 19 June.
In exceptional circumstances, and when all other options have been exhausted, we may consider the redistribution of FE funding in a clearly focused and targeted way from providers who have closed. Should any exceptional circumstances arise, please be assured that we will contact individual providers directly to discuss and agree any funding changes.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) updates
The guidance Check which employees you can put on furlough to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was updated on 12 June to include details on how the scheme will change from 1 July. Please read this guidance carefully to inform your decision making around staffing.
The first time you will be able to make claims for days in July will be 1 July. You cannot claim for periods in July before this point. 31 July is the last day that you can submit claims for periods ending on or before 30 June.
If your employees are working reduced hours - for claim periods up to 30 June if an employee is working, but on reduced hours, or for reduced pay, they will not be eligible for this scheme.
For claim periods starting after 1 July, employers can bring furloughed employees back to work for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim CJRS grant for the hours not worked. This only applies where you have previously submitted a claim for the employee in relation to a furlough period of at least three consecutive weeks taking place any time between 1 March 2020 and 30 June.
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 at this time, 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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#52 12 June (Maternity/Paternity furlough, HPS, notifying DfE, Business recovery webinar, PFA)
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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)
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 June - Summer Term FE Actuals payments released (week commencing)
- 22 June - Autumn Term FE Estimates submission open
- 03 July - Autumn Term FE Estimates submission close
- 13 July - Autumn Term FE Estimates payments released (week commencing)
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