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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Tuesday 29 September 2020
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.
Updated Public Health flowchart
Please find below a revised flowchart on how Early Years and Childcare settings should manage suspected and positive COVID-19 cases, as well as an updated resource pack. Both have been updated by Public Health England South East and the council with the latest contact details and advice, so please refer to these instead of previous versions that have been issued.
The important things to note are:
- The flowchart for EY settings now has the 'Early Years and Childcare' in the title, and differs from the school setting flowchart.
- The number education settings should dial in the event of confirmed positive cases remains the DfE number 0800 046 8687, selecting option 1.
- In accordance with the DfE Guidance and to enable us to monitor the situation, we are asking settings to please also inform WSCC about confirmed COVID-19 cases using the family.info.service@westsussex.gov.uk mailbox (after contacting the above number).
- We are no longer asking for notification of suspected cases from settings.
Also, we have included a COVID-19 information leaflet for parents and carers which is contained within the resource pack (P54). We would recommend that this leaflet is provided to your families as a guide on what they should do in different scenarios.
Please also find some additional notes you may wish to share with your parents/carers alongside the leaflet:
- Only the person with symptoms should get a test. You do not need to get a test for anyone else in the household unless they also have any of the three symptoms. All members of the household need to self-isolate whilst waiting for the result.
- If the person with symptoms' test comes back positive, other members of their household should continue self-isolating for 14 days and only get a test if they develop COVID-19 symptoms.
- Contacts of a person who has tested positive must follow the guidance carefully and in full, which means they must stay at home for 14 days. This is because it can take several days following contact with an infected person before an individual develops symptoms or the virus can be detected.
EYFS Disapplications ended on Friday
The relaxation of the learning and development and assessment requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that were implemented at the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, came to an end on 25 September 2020.
The disapplications relating to paediatric first aid (PFA) and qualification requirements related to ratios have a two month transitional period and so will end on 25 November 2020. The validity of PFA certificates which expired during the outbreak is also extended to 25 November 2020 at the latest. This applies to certificates expiring on or after 16 March 2020.
From 26 September 2020, new disapplications came into force where a provider can disapply specific elements of the EYFS in the event of a local or further national lockdown.
These would only apply where a provider is prevented from complying with the requirements of the EYFS due to coronavirus related restrictions or requirements which have been imposed on a geographical area by regulations or a direction (a local lockdown for example).
These disapplications are very similar to the previous modifications, covering learning and development requirements, PFA, qualifications relating to ratios and the 2 year check. The difference is that the EYFS Profile is not covered by these new disapplications.
Chancellor outlines the Winter Economy Plan
On 24 September the government published their plan to protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months.
Central to the plan is a new Job Support Scheme and extension of Self Employment Income Support Scheme. In addition over one million businesses will get flexibilities to help pay back loans.
The Job Support Scheme opens on 1 November and will run for six months. The Job Support Scheme is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to COVID-19, to help keep their employees attached to the workforce. The company will continue to pay its employee for time worked, but the burden of hours not worked will be split between the employer and the Government (through wage support) and the employee (through a wage reduction), and the employee will keep their job. View further information on what is covered and who is eligible.
'Usual wages' calculations will follow a similar methodology as for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Full details will be set out in guidance shortly.
New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force
From yesterday 28 September 2020, people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. This law has been introduced to ensure compliance with self-isolation rules and to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Fines have also been introduced for those breaching self-isolation rules, starting at £1,000, in line with the existing penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel. This could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and the most serious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating.
Employers who force or allow staff to come to work who they know should be self-isolating will also be liable for fines of up to £10,000.
Lockdown Lessons Podcast
Nursery World and PACEY have produced a podcast exploring lessons learnt from the COVID-19 restrictions - including contributions from a West Sussex provider. Practitioners may wish to listen to hear the reflections of others and use the shared learning to support your planning for the future and the potential scenarios we may need to navigate in the future.
Freepost address
Historically a Freepost address was available to send information to our service. As most interactions are either by email or the Online Provider Portal the use of this freepost address has now ceased. Please ensure that you no longer send items using the freepost address and if any the paperwork you have saved refers to its use, this will mean that the paperwork being used is out of date. For up to date copies of all our forms and resources please visit our website.
Contact from "Yoopies" offering support to childminders
We have been made aware that many childminders across different local authority areas are being contacted by Yoopies offering free support to childminders. As a local authority, we have no knowledge of this group and would urge you to be cautious before responding to any unsolicited correspondence.
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.
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.
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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#90 (SEND consultation, updated guidance, FE Actuals, 30 hours code issue reminder, childminders and self-isolation, Networks, attachment and trauma training)
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#89 (Early years healthy development consultation)
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#88 (Reporting of positive COVID-19 cases update, Fever following immunisations, testing kits, Translations of COVID-19 parent information, Risk assessments for children with EHCPs, 30 hrs codes, Training for managers)
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#87 (FE Actuals, Hands, Space, Face campaign, Rule of Six, Responding to COVID-19 symptoms, Risk Assessments, Ofsted Inspections, Makaton Training)
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EYC Special Broadcast - New NHS number to get a test - updated flowchart
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:
- w/c 19 Oct - FE Actuals payment expected
- 11 Nov - Spring Term FE Estimates submissions open
- 27 Nov - Spring Term FE Estimates submissions close
- 07 Dec - Spring Term FE Estimates submissions payment expected
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