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
Difficulty viewing this bulletin? Click here to view in your browser.
Thursday 8 July 2021
Removal of bubbles in Early Years and Childcare Settings, Schools and Colleges
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been updated to include additional operational guidance for early years settings which applies at Step 4 from 19 July.
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has also been updated to reflect the move to Step 4 from 19 July with additional guidance for out of school settings.
The guidance removes restrictions such as keeping children in small consistent groups and wearing face coverings in communal areas. It also includes information about updating your outbreak management plan and what to do when an individual in your setting tests positive for COVID-19. At Step 4, close contacts will be identified by NHS Test and Trace.
Some settings, particularly those only open during term time, may wish to stay with their current arrangements until the end of term and plan, rather than making changes from 19 July. This will give them more time to plan changes to their risk assessments and steps they take to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19, and then implement these at the start of the autumn term. Settings should be clear to parents what changes they are making from 19 July so that they are clear of the expectations for themselves and their children.
In addition, from 16 August 2021, children under the age of 18 years old will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact.
Request for help from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Do you have a venue or space that is not being used over the summer holidays that could be hired from you by a potential HAF provider? This could be a great opportunity for some additional income over the holidays, whist helping children in your community to access much needed provision.
Or did you miss the deadline but you would still like to explore offering places to eligible children in your summer schemes?
If you are interested in finding out more about HAF and how you can get involved, either offering places or venues, please email HAF@westsussex.gov.uk .
Autumn term Extended Free Entitlement (FE) claims - 30 hour code deadline reminder
In order for children to access an Extended FE place in the Autumn term, please advise eligible parents to:
-
apply in good time to ensure they have their 30 hours code by 31 August 2021: www.westsussex.gov.uk/freechildcare
-
log in to their childcare account to check their details are up to date, and reconfirm their eligibility by 31 August 2021
- contact the HMRC helpline if they are experiencing issues applying or reconfirming on 0300 1234 097.
Checking 30 hour codes are valid for Autumn term:
- Parents must have applied for, or reconfirmed their 30 hour code before 31 August 2021.
- The code ‘start date’ must be before 1 September 2021 and the ‘Grace period end date’ covers the Autumn term 2021.
- Login to the Online Provider Portal and use the online eligibility checker ahead of the Autumn term. View our helpful video guide for step by step guidance.
- Codes which are applied for or reconfirmed after 31 August 2021 will not be valid for Autumn term.
Please note, where a parent no longer meets the eligibility criteria for 30 hours, and their child is already in a 30 hours place at your setting, they can continue to access their funded place for the duration of the code’s grace period. If you have any queries, please email free.entitlement@westsussex.gov.uk or phone the Family Information Service on 01243 777807.
Free Entitlement (FE) leaflet requests
Please be advised that unfortunately we are unable to fulfil any FE leaflet requests currently due to low stock levels. In the interim, please temporarily signpost parents/carers to our FE webpages which covers the same content as the leaflet: www.westsussex.gov.uk/freechildcare.
Alternatively, if you would like a PDF copy of the leaflet to print copies for families please email free.entitlement@westsussex.gov.uk.
Early Years and Childcare Training - New virtual Webinars for 2021/22
You told us that you wanted short bite size courses run at different times of day that were low cost. So we have been busy putting together a new offer for you. This year we have introduced a new range of ‘taster’ webinars which are shorter in length than a full course but offer a fantastic insight into a topic area. Some of these webinars were previous keynote presentations or workshops at our annual conferences so they offer an opportunity to engage even if you couldn’t make the conference or session on the day. Some of the webinars are a taster to a full course and meant as an introduction to a topic area. Please read each description so you can see what might suit you best. The webinars are delivered at various times of the day including evenings to help fit them around your work. Most of the webinars cost just £15.
Here is a flyer with the new webinars all listed so you can see the range of topics on offer.
All early years providers must follow a new reformed EYFS framework from September 2021. View the new framework and how the changes affect you.
The West Sussex Learning Journal materials have been updated to reflect the changes to the EYFS from September 2021 and are available on our website.
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:
-
#168 (DfE data capture, get ready for changes to EYFS - new DfE service, last chance to book)
-
#167 (DfE data capture, changes to furlough, FE deadline tomorrow, early years project for schools and settings, revised learning journal, SEND newsletter, last paediatric first aid this term)
-
#166 (DfE data capture, clarification on testing and self-isolation, EYFS disapplications, free SENCO training, supporting children's creativity, confidence and progress)
-
#165 (PCR tests for close contacts, COVID-19 contingency framework, HAF funding may still be available, SEND under 5's, enhance your nurturing techniques)
-
#164 (DfE data capture, large group activities during the summer term, final reminder - EY funding to support health and physical development, FE autumn term estimates now open, FE summer term payments, communication courses, supporting children in EY settings who may have experienced trauma)
- w/c 12 Jul - Autumn term Estimate payments expected (FE providers)
- 1 Sep - Autumn term Actuals submissions open (FE providers)
- 1 Sep - New EYFS framework effective
- 16 Sep - Autumn term headcount day (FE providers)
- 24 Sep - Autumn term Actuals submissions close (FE providers)
- w/c 18 Oct - Autumn term Actuals payments expected (FE providers)
- 8 Nov - Spring term Estimate submissions open (FE providers)
- 22 Nov - Spring term Estimate submissions close (FE providers)
- w/c 6 Dec - Spring term Estimate payments expected (FE providers)
| 
