The West Sussex approach puts the child first. We work with children, families, communities, our partners and schools in a restorative, strength based way. Strong relationships are at the heart of what we do.
Broadcast for Early Years and childcare providers in West Sussex from West Sussex County Council - Early Help Service
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Tuesday 25 May 2021
Reminder - DfE data capture required this week
This week's Department for Education 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.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week
Infant Mental Health awareness week is 7-13 June. The Parent Infant Foundation have launched the first version of the calendar of events for the week which will be updated over the coming weeks. The theme for Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 is "including infants in children and young people’s mental health". You can find out more information on their website.
Two new courses starting in June for practitioners working with children aged 3+
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A Look at Dynamic Displays (Taster webinar) contains insights and case studies which highlight best practice regarding the potential value and function of displays in the learning environment. Content will be in accordance with revised Early Years Foundation Stage (2021). Adopting a dynamic and invigorated approach to displays can powerfully capture and cultivate children’s interests and achievements. Cost is £15 per place. Tuesday 29 June - 7.00pm to 8.30pm - EYT 21/1670
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Roll out the role play (Half day webinar) will provide or extend a secure professional understanding of the impact of effective role-play in supporting children’s creativity, confidence and progress. You will learn how to offer stimulating role play opportunities that promote learning,. Content aligns with the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) and includes low-cost resources that promote maths, literacy, social skills, cultural diversity and other areas of learning through meaningful and stimulating role play. Cost is £25 per place. Thursday 17 June - 9.30am to 12.30pm - EYT 21/1664 or Tuesday 6 July - 1.00pm to 4.00pm - EYT 21/1791
To book, search for the course code on the Learning and Development Gateway. If you have any questions, please email early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk.
All early years providers must follow a new reformed EYFS framework from September 2021. View the new framework and how the changes affect you.
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.
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:
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#155 (protective measures for out of school providers, advance warning Holiday Activities and Food programme, FE summer term actuals final reminder, process for FE starters between 10-21 May, Makaton training)
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#154 (COMF update, preparing for the introduction of EYFS reforms, the role of the INCO, graduates in early years research, free traumatic bereavement resources)
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#153 (Final reminder - Early Help redesign consultation, amendment to #152, writing readiness and pencil grip, survey on SEND and Inclusion resources, SEND newsletter, public health survey)
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#152 (DfE data capture and change in frequency, updated guidance, children starting FE between 10-17 May 2021, FE summer term Actuals reminder, new online service to support implementation of revised EYFS, safeguarding and child protection refresher, supporting bereaved children)
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#151 (DfE data capture, changes on how to order testing kits, testing of staff, new resource to support diversity and inclusion)
- 21 Jun - Autumn term Estimate submissions open (FE providers)
- w/c 21 Jun - Summer term Actuals payments expected (FE providers)
- 2 Jul - Autumn term Estimate submissions close (FE providers)
- w/c 12 Jul - Autumn term Estimate payments expected (FE providers)
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