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.
Newsletter for Early Years and childcare providers in West Sussex
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Wednesday 20 September 2023
Right from the Start - The West Sussex Early Years and Childcare Strategy
“Science tells us that a child’s experiences from conception through their first five years will go on to shape their next 50.” – Jason Knauf, CEO of the Royal Foundation, December 2020
West Sussex County Council and Integrated Care Board are on an exciting journey together to further develop services within Early Years and Childcare. We want to work in closer partnership to improve outcomes for children and families. As a result, we are developing a joint Early Years and Childcare Strategy.
We really need input from a range of services and stakeholders to help achieve this. For the strategy to be successful we would welcome input from settings into its design and identifying the priority areas to be developed. As we understand there is an increase in the number of young children requiring additional support, along with resource pressures, in settings.
We have created a survey to gather initial input from all stakeholders, including settings, who have an interest in Early Years and Childcare. You can read more about the process and complete the engagement survey on YourVoice.
Thank you in advance for engaging in this important piece of work that will support improved outcomes, services and provision for our children and their families.
Children's Workforce Guide to Qualifications and Training
With many parts of the sector facing recruitment challenges, Children and Young People Now (CYPN) have developed a guide to qualifications and training for the children's workforce. The guidance identifies developments in entry-level requirements and ongoing professional development for children's services practitioners. You can read more about the rationale behind the guidance in CYPN's article or access the Guide to Qualifications and Training.
Listening to unheard children report
Shocking new figures released from Speech and Language UK estimate that 1.9 Million children are behind with their talking and/or understanding of words - the highest number ever recorded. For children who struggle to talk and understand words, their whole lives are affected. They are:
- six times more likely to fail English tests at 11,
- 11 times less likely to pass maths,
- are twice as likely to have a mental health problem, and
- twice as likely to be unemployed as an adult.
This report proposes nine solutions to help children, ensuring that every child gets the speech and language support they need. Please read the report and identify if there is any learning you can apply to your setting or information you can share with parents.
Information about supporting children’s Communication and Language Development can be found on our website and on the Tools for Schools and Settings website.
Early Help - Support available at Family Hubs
Early Help have created a postcard with information on how Family Hubs can support children, young people and families. The postcard includes a QR code which links to the Family Hubs webpage. Please share this information with families to support them to access additional support when needed.
Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen, Boater Cultural Awareness training
The Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMTAS) have created a leaflet to raise awareness of the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman and Boater ethnic group and the support they need within early years. The leaflet includes information about training available to support early years providers in carrying out their role in supporting children from all cultural backgrounds to achieve their potential. This training will also enable providers to support children's Understanding of the World and develop positive attitudes about the differences between people.
ICON week 25 to 29 September
The third annual ICON week is here to raise awareness of infant crying and prevent serious injury, illness and even death of young babies as a result of Abusive Head Trauma(AHT). 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 is OK to walk away
N – Never, ever shake a baby
This information may be useful for you to share with parents/carers of young babies within your setting and all members of staff.
Additional information and resources:
Early Years Training
Upskill yourself or enhance your staff and their knowledge. We have two popular courses that will certainly have you and your team feeling prepared for the year.
In the Moment Planning (Webinar) is for any practitioners working within early years and will help further your knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) ‘Observation, Assessment and Planning Cycle’. It will support you in ensuring that you provide appropriate and responsive ‘in the moment’ planning that meets a child's learning needs. You will explore how to observe, assess and plan to provide meaningful support. This course will provide you with vital tools to enhance responsive practice and potentially reduce your workload, in-line with the implementation of the revised EYFS Statutory Framework. The key word for this course is "planning" and costs £54 per person .
- Thursday 5 November – 9.30am to 3.00pm
OFSTED – Are you ready? (Webinar) is for anyone working directly with children, including managers. The aim of this course is to understand what to expect from future Ofsted inspections and support you in identifying and planning for actions you may need to take to be Ofsted ‘ready’. The key word for this course is "ofsted" and costs £27 per person.
- Tuesday 17 November – 9.30am to 12.30pm
To book please log on to the Learning and Development Gateway and search for the course using the corresponding key word. If you experience any issues when booking your course, please email early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk.
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.
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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#283 (Inclusive practice in early years settings; Department for Education Covid-19 Recovery Programme; starting school applications; Transition Events 2024; Early Years Foundation Stage Assessment Support survey; final reminder - changes to Ofsted’s post-inspection arrangements; new fire safety legislation; reminder - submit your Termly Provider Update form and Sufficiency information; early years training)
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#282 (Free Entitlement Autumn term actuals - now open: introducing the Setting Support Phone line; new Targeted Setting Support form; Setting Review Meetings; fully-funded level 3 early years SENCO training; EYFS leaders networks; talking clearly - webinar)
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#281 (Advanced notice of planned downtime; final reminder - submission of sufficiency information; cash flow management; Tiny Happy People Champion training; childhood immunisations campaign - back to nursery resources; new Foundation Years vodcast - EYFS changes from September; early years training)
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#280 (Warning - Online Provider Portal downtime; Early Talk Boost programme from Kent Stronger Practice Hub; Foundation Years online event; East Sussex early years conference; early years safeguarding training)
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#279 (Advanced warning of downtime; reminder - early years funding consultation; early years training)
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