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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Wednesday 25 August 2021
Early Years and Childcare Providers Survey
In the broadcast on 13 July we shared that we are carrying out a survey with all providers (pre-schools, day nurseries, nursery classes/schools, breakfast clubs, out of school clubs and holiday playschemes).
Thank you to those of you who have already responded. To allow settings that have not been able to complete this yet, we have extended the deadline.
This survey can be completed online and will remain open until 10 September 2021.
Contingency Framework
Following the updated government guidance to support early years, childcare and other education settings prepare for the new term, please see the additional information provided by West Sussex Public Health Team to support you in developing your Contingency Framework.
ICON - 7 minute briefing
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
Please see the 7 minute briefing which we are encouraging practitioners to watch and discuss.
Further ICON information is available via WSSCP website https://www.westsussexscp.org.uk/icon
Evening and Saturday courses running during September. Places are £15 per person unless otherwise stated.
Getting to Grips with the EYFS Changes from September 2021 Webinar for Childminders
Explore the main changes to the EYFS and Development Matters and the implications for provision and practice.
- Wednesday 8 September - 7pm to 9.30pm - EYT 21/1628
Ready, willing and able: children as confident, capable thinkers and learners
Explore positive relationships and enabling environments that offer ways for children to be independent, make choices and develop self-expression skills.
- Saturday 18 September – 7pm to 8.30pm - EYT 21/2019
Makaton Taster Webinar
Get a feel for Makaton for the under 5s and learn some useful signs. Comes with a support booklet so you can practice at home. Places are £30 per person.
- Saturday 18 September – 9.30am to 12pm - EYT 21/1540
Safeguarding and Child Protection in Early Years Refresher
For practitioners who have previously completed safeguarding training.
- Tuesday 28 September – 6.30pm to 9.30pm – EYT 21/1717
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
We are carrying out a survey to help identify the current strengths and challenges within the sector and areas where we can focus support in order to make the biggest impact. Your views are important to us. Responses will be used to shape the training and support, including information, advice and guidance, going forward.
Have your say now - Early Years and Childcare Provider Survey – Summer 2021
Our networks are for those who lead practice in early years settings. They provide updates, information and guidance to support and improve practice and are free to attend.
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.
- Adur - 4 October – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2074
- Arun – 29 September – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2071
- Arun - 5 October – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2076
- Chichester and Petworth - 5 October – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2077
- Crawley – 02 November – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2070
- Horsham - 5 October – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2075
- Horsham - 6 October – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2078
- Mid Sussex – 29 September – 10.00am to 12.00pm - EYT 21/2072
- Mid Sussex – 29 September – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2073
- Worthing - 7 October – 1.00pm to 3.00pm - EYT 21/2079
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:
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#177 (Updated COVID-19 guidance, COVID-19 testing for children and young people, COVID-19 vaccine resources, new FAQs, maths champions project, new wellbeing course, build your child development knowledge)
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#176 (EYC providers survey, LADO awareness raising workshops, fire safety training, new or returning staff in starting in September, safeguarding training dates for the autumn term)
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#175 (Amendments to Development Matters, vodcast on implementing the revised EYFS, pan Sussex safeguarding conference, autumn learning and development networks, learn about changes to EYFS and Development Matters)
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#174 (Setting survey reminder, request for help with HAF venues, myth-busting from Ofsted on early years inspections, taster courses, paediatric first aid - blended)
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#173 (Apology, COVID-19 Outbreak Pack, Contact Tracing, New Testing Kits, Development Matters, Ofsted Inspection Handbook, HAF - request for help, Autumn term Extended FE claims, Stretched FE claims, Hungry Little Minds, Network Meetings)
- 31 Aug - West Sussex EYC provider survey closes
- 31 Aug - Deadline to complete termly Sufficiency Update
- 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)
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