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 7 January 2021
We are acutely aware that the current Free Entitlement (FE) funding situation is causing a considerable amount of stress and anxiety within the early years and childcare sector. We are also aware that there are concerns about safety for children and staff in light of the fact that schools are only remaining open for certain children. We do not underestimate the impact of the current situation on yourselves and staff, particularly after such a long period of intensive work supporting children and families.
The guidance around Spring term funding was issued on 17 December 2020. This is the most up to date information we have and there have been no further changes made since Boris Johnson announced the national restrictions on Monday (4 January 2021). The guidance states that local authorities should return to the normal funding approach (that is, ‘funding following the child’) for all providers from 1 January 2021. This is in line with the approach announced in July 2020.
Government funding allocated to local authorities, for the early years block in 2020/2021, is based on the January 2021 Census count. Any adjustments to our budget are made retrospectively and therefore we are not in a position to offer funding outside of the current government guidance.
We are continuing to lobby, on your behalf, and appreciate your patience so far. We are also aware that national early years and childcare sector organisations are lobbying government, so if you are a member we recommend you engage with their campaigns. If there are any changes to government guidance we will of course communicate these with you as soon as we are able.
Advance notice - DfE data capture link
The DfE have notified us to today that the data capture will be returning to weekly from next week until further notice. Therefore, the next DfE data capture for the numbers of children currently accessing early years provision will be open from Monday 11 January until Wednesday 13 January (midnight). Please use this link to complete your return.
Disability Access Fund – Spring term claims
You can claim the Disability Access Fund (DAF) for 3 and 4 year old children who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), if they are receiving Free Entitlement funding. The DAF is a one off payment of £615 per year for each eligible child. Please note, providers can claim for a second DAF payment three terms after the initial DAF payment was received.
For further information please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsfreeentitlement and refer to the document entitled ‘Disability Access Fund (DAF)’.
You must e-mail a copy of the DLA award letter and signed Parent Declaration form to free.entitlement@westsussex.gov.uk and follow the FE actuals guidance which covers how to submit a DAF claim www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsportal
Early Years Pupil Premium Spring term claims
A reminder that Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) claims must be submitted at the same time as your Free Entitlement actuals data via the Online Provider Portal.
In order for a child’s EYPP eligibility to be checked, you must submit the following information as part of your actuals claim:
- Enter Parent/Carer details,
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and tick the consent box under the ‘Parent/Carer details’ section of the funding claim.
Please refer to the ‘Provider portal help and guidance’ document at www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsportal and view the Actuals help guide, step 10 for detailed guidance.
For further information regarding EYPP and identifying eligible children go to www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsfreeentitlement and refer to the document entitled ‘Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) pdf’.
If you have any queries please email free.entitlement@westsussex.gov.uk
Starting School Applications - one week to go
The deadline for applying for a school place is Friday 15 January 2021 for all children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017. Please make sure that the families who should be applying for a school place for their child, particularly those who have only just started attending with you, are aware of the deadline and complete their application on time. This will be particularly important if any of these children are not currently attending your setting.
Please check that all families are aware that completing the Starting School Questionnaire is not the same as applying for a school place and that they have also completed their school application before the deadline.
To apply for a school place, or for more information on applying, please signpost parents to www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions and read the Starting School Leaflet and the application checklist.
If you have any new children starting with you this term, please share with the families the information and the link to complete the online Starting School Questionnaire. Please remember that to see the questionnaire results yourself, you will need to ask the family to identify your setting as the one their child attends so you may need to provide them with your full name and the postcode of your setting based on your Ofsted registration.
Plan for spring with our new course - A Look at Springtime Crafts – Embedding genuine creativity Webinar
This engaging and motivating webinar will provide a refreshing array of spring time resource ideas and pedagogical approaches which ensure that children’s individuality and developmental needs are central to planning and provision. Reflect on your own practice by discussing stimulating case studies and consider the pros and cons of a variety of craft activities. Embed manageable and imaginative enhancements for seasonal experiences using low cost/no cost resources. Spring festivals from various cultures will be briefly outlined. Cost is £15 per place. Log onto the Learning and Development Gateway and search for the course code to book and pay by card.
- Tuesday 19 January, 1.30pm to 3.00pm, EYT 21/627 12 (12 places remaining)
- Wednesday 20 January, 1.30pm to 3.00pm, EYT 21/561 12 (8 places remaining)
- Wednesday 20 January, 7.00pm to 8.30pm, EYT 21/628 12 (6 places remaining)
ICON
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), previously known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, is a devastating form of child abuse. 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
Further ICON Information is available which you may wish to share with parents:
Please inform the Family Information Service if your setting needs to close or is re-opening. 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 closing due to COVID-19 please ensure you read and follow all the steps in the PHE South East Health Protection Team ' Managing Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Early Years and Childcare settings' flowchart.
In the event of your setting having a confirmed COVID-19 case, if Public Health or the Department for Education have stated you must close for any period of time you must inform the Family Information Service. However, if Public Heath have not explicitly stated in correspondence to you that the setting must close, we would expect you to make contact with your Early Years and Childcare Adviser (EYCA) to talk through your circumstances, where possible, before making the decision to close the setting. If you are not able to make immediate contact with your EYCA then please email your nearest Early Help Hub using the following email addresses:
Where there are not clearly evidenced reasons why the setting had no option to close, there could be implications for funding received as per the government guidance.
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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#116 (Urgent reminder - DfE data capture, updated guidance, PH seminars, DSG consultation, mandatory EY census, FE Spring actuals, OAIP, business map webinars, Makaton taster)
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04 JAN Special broadcast - Consultation - Early Years Dedicated School Grant (DSG)
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22 DEC Special broadcast - Early Years Dedicated School Grant (DSG)
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#115 (DfE data capture, FE payments Jan 21, government guidance OOS/wraparound care, results of COVID-19 survey - wave 2, final reminder sufficiency data, role of inclusion co-ordinator - new course)
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#114 (Early years Census, public health seminars, COVID-19 Ofsted research, spring term 30 hours code reminder, Birth to 5 Matters consultation, Business Map webinar, nurturing and supporting children's wellbeing post lockdown)
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:
- NOW - Annual EY Census submissions open (mandatory for FE providers)
- NOW - Spring Term FE Actuals submissions open
- 21 Jan - Spring Term FE headcount day
- 29 Jan - Annual EY Census submissions close (mandatory for FE providers)
- 29 Jan - Spring Term FE Actuals submissions close
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