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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Thursday 8 October 2020
Advance notice - next week's DfE data capture
Next week's DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision will be open from Monday, and will close at the end of Wednesday (midnight). Please use this link to complete your return.
SEND Consultation Reminder
In setting update #90 (24 September) we shared information about our early years SEND Consultation. Please take a look at the proposals and give your feedback through the online survey. You may also wish to share this information with families in your setting and in your local area so they can also have their say.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us as this will help us to ensure the new ways of working are fit for purpose. Please do use this opportunity to feed into the strategy. Your feedback really is important to us.
QR codes
We have had some queries about whether or not early years and childcare settings need to create a QR code to display at their premises.
The government guidance does not include early years and childcare settings. Early years and childcare settings are required to keep their own records of visitors which can be used, if needed, for track and trace purposes.
Early years and childcare settings should take note of and apply this guidance for schools:
"Schools are not expected to create NHS QR code posters for their entrance or their classrooms as they have registers. Schools could consider QR code posters if hosting an event with external guests on the premises, or if the premises are let out during evenings, weekends or holidays to external providers."
Self-Isolation Rules within a Household
We have also been asked by some settings if they should be allowing children to come to their setting if a member of their family has been advised to self-isolate. The current government guidance states that if the family member is self-isolating as they have symptoms or have had a positive test result for COVID-19, then the whole household should self-isolate and the children should not go to school or attend their early years and childcare setting. However, if the person self-isolating does not have symptoms, the rest of the household does not need to self-isolate and can continue to attend school and early years and childcare provision, but they should take extra care to follow the guidance on social distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene.
New webinar - Understanding Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Essentials
The Understanding EYFS Essentials webinar is suitable for new and returning staff. It uses slides, video and activities to support you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the key elements of the EYFS, including information about changes due for implementation in September 2021. You will learn about how the characteristics of effective learning and the prime and specific areas of learning and development are of crucial importance. Costing only £15, please log on to the Learning and Development Gateway and search for the course code to find out more, book and pay by card.
Wednesday 21 October 10.00am to 12:30pm EYT 20/2456
West Sussex Safeguarding Children's Partnership (WSSCP) Neglect training
WSSCP have transferred their one day Neglect training into two, three-hour interactive sessions. This training will provide you with an opportunity to explore the often challenging topic of neglect. You will try out tools and resources and see neglect from the child’s perspective as well as have the opportunity to network with professionals from other agencies. To book your place click on the link below. Please note that in order to complete the course and receive your attendance certificate, you must attend both dates.
WSSCP Neglect Training Dates
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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#93 (School readiness integrated review, EYC reps, WSSCP website, helping children play to learn, speech and language monitoring tool, development matters vodcast plus Q and A session, COVID-19 resources, foundation stage forum)
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#92 (SEND consultation reminder, school readiness integrated review, Christmas crafts webinar)
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#91 (Updated PHE flowchart, EYFS disapplications, job support scheme, legal duty to self-isolate, lockdown lessons, freepost address, Yoopies warning)
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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)
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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