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

Difficulty viewing this bulletin? Click here to view in your browser.

Tuesday 18 August 2020

COVID-19 setting update 78 (termly setting updates, Ofsted interim visits, early years and childcare reps needed)

Reminder - this week's DfE data capture

This week's DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision is open now, and will close at the end of Wednesday (midnight). Please use this link to complete your return.

Second grant announced through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

If you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be able to claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The scheme allowed you to claim a first taxable grant which closed on 13 July 2020.

The second and final taxable grant, announced on 17 August, is worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total.

Applications for the second and final grant are now open. If you’re eligible and your business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you must make your claim for the second grant on or before 19 October 2020.

Eligibility for the second grant will be worked out in the same way as the first grant.

You can make a claim for the second grant if you’re eligible, even if you did not make a claim for the first grant.

Gifting of Bookstart Treasure packs from WSCC Library Service

The Library Service are starting to explore how to resume the gifting of the BookTrust Baby and Treasure packs. From September, deliveries of the packs from BookTrust will resume so packs can then be delivered to early years settings. The Library Service therefore need to explore whether Early Years settings are open and able to receive the packs.

There will be some children who are due to receive a pack in the coming term, and some children who have missed out on a pack. Packs can be provided for both of these groups.

Could you please tell us: 

• Is your setting open?
• Do you have the same or a reduced number of children attending?
• Are you able to receive a delivery of Treasure packs if you have children who are eligible? – i.e. children for who turned three between September-December 2019 and January-March 2020.

Please send responses to Deborah.lewis@westsussex.gov.uk by 11 September 2020.

Reminder - updating FIS if you open or close

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 have not been able to open at this time, you should already have submitted a COVID-19 Recovery Plan and sent a copy by email to the FIS. This is so that we can look at the barriers you have identified and support you to re-open as soon as practicable. If we have not received your plan, you will be contacted by your EYCA to support you further.

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 Thursday update for the following week, 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.

Links to COVID-19 guidance on GovUK

• Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak (Includes links to other relevant Gov.UK guidance)
• Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• What parents and carers need to know about nurseries, childminders, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• List of online education resources for home education
• Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care
• Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus
• Safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers
• Guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• COVID-19 FAQs for West Sussex EY settings (Updated 13 July)

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

• #78 (termly setting updates, Ofsted interim visits, early years and childcare reps needed)
• #77 (PHE flowchart, Paediatric First Aid, Naval Children's Charity)
• #76 (IT upgrade, update on OPP error, visitors to settings)
• #75 (OPP error, consumer information, parental guidance for autumn)
• #74 (timings for DfE data capture, self-isolation period change, parent and toddler groups)

Early Years and Childcare Training and Support

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:

• View our Early Years Training Brochure
• Contact us: early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk

Upcoming key dates

• 02 Sep - FE Actuals submissions open for Autumn term
• 17 Sep - Autumn Term headcount day (FE)
• 25 Sep - FE Actuals submissions close for Autumn term

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