Newsletter for Early Years and Childcare providers in West Sussex
#2/2024 - Wednesday 10 January 2024
This week's newsletter includes:
- Expansion of childcare offers survey
- Expansion of childcare funding offers update - proposed funding formula and Free Entitlement rates
- Starting School Applications - five days to go
- Transition events
- Wellbeing webinar for practitioners
- Free professional development course for Early Years leaders
- Early Years Training
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As mentioned in previous newsletters, starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support. The government also aims for all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8.00am to 6.00pm by September 2026. As part of the West Sussex County Council's statutory duties around sufficiency we are required to have an understanding of the supply and demand of childcare places and any gaps in provision, including how these gaps will be addressed.
We are therefore looking for views from all parents and carers of children aged 0-14 years (and up to 18 for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) about how they currently use childcare, and how this may continue to change in the future. Parents can visit the Family Information Service page for more information and to complete the survey. We ask that you share this with all parents/carers within your setting and appreciate your support with this.
We are also requesting all schools complete a mandatory survey which will help us identify any gaps in wraparound provision and areas for development.
Papers to include proposed funding formula and Free Entitlement rates will be written by the local authority and submitted to Schools Forum by Thursday 11 January 2024. Prior to the meeting these papers will be available here West Sussex Schools Forum. The paper relating to the funding rates will be under Early Years DSG.
Have you checked that all of the families in your setting with a child due to start in September 2024 (children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020) have completed their school application?
You may have some parents who have a child in this age range who are unsure if they want their child to start school in September. Please talk to these families about the potential benefits and risks of delaying their child’s start to school and make sure that they understand the need to apply for a school place, which can be declined later if no longer needed. It is important that all families with a child in this age group apply for a school place before the deadline of Monday 15 January 2024. Applying for a school place after that deadline will mean that the application is considered after those submitted on time, which reduces the likelihood of families being offered their preferred school.
The Transition Events for settings and schools to discuss children starting school in September 2024 will take place between Wednesday 1 May and Friday 13 May 2024. More information, including updated paperwork and a list of schools already booked onto the events can be found on our website at Transition events. Settings can book their place at the events on the Learning and Development Gateway. Please enrol on the course "Transition Event" and book a place for each member of staff who will be attending the events where the schools the children in your setting are likely to be transitioning to in the summer are in attendance. Early booking supports planning of the events and bookings can be amended, if needed, once school place offers are announced.
January can often be a period of increased isolation, anxiety and sadness. For practitioners in the “helping professions”, it is particularly important to maintain and enhance wellbeing, this will also support them to continue providing effective support for children and families.
Early Years in Mind (Anna Freud) are running a wellbeing webinar on 25 January 2024 from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. It will be an opportunity to reconnect with why working in the Early Years is such a meaningful vocation. The panel will also explore what wellbeing is and how practitioners can grow even when the context is challenging. Speakers will include:
You can find out more and sign up to this free webinar via the Anna Freud website.
The National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) is a professional development course, which has been designed with leaders and practitioners in mind. The NPQEYL is designed to support early years leaders to develop expertise in leading high-quality education and care, as well as in effective staff and organisational management. It provides high-quality, evidence-based leadership training for early years leaders/aspiring leaders.
Jill Whitehouse has over 30 years’ experience in Early Years and Primary education. For the last two years she has been a facilitator of the NPQEYL and has recently shared her views about her NPQEYL experience here.
NPQs are fully funded training scholarships which are in place for the rest of this academic year (2023/2024) and recruitment for the last cohort will close in the middle of January, with courses starting in February. Any aspiring or current leader can find details on the learning providers, eligibility and how to apply here: Early years leadership NPQ.
Impact of Trauma – Through the Eyes of a Child - A virtual reality demonstration for Early Years Leaders (Webinar) aims to provide you with a 2D screening of "The Impact of Trauma – Through the eyes of a child –Virtual Reality session". This is so managers and leaders can develop an awareness of how using Virtual Reality technology can enhance learning about trauma and how to best introduce this to staff in a safe and supported way. Attendance at this session will enable you to make an informed decision about the suitability of the full day training for staff in your setting. The key phrase for this course is "impact of trauma".
- Tuesday 16 January - 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Tuesday 5 March - 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Thursday 2 May - 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Talking Clearly – Support the Development of Children’s Speech (Webinar) aims to support learners to understand how speech, sounds, attention and listening skills develop in young children. You will learn a range of strategies and approaches which promote the development of attention and listening skills, clear speech and pre-literacy skills. The key word for this course is "speech" and costs £17 per person.
- Thursday 18 January – 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Ofsted – Are you Ready? (Webinar) is a half day informative course that supports practitioners in understanding what an Ofsted inspection means for them, their practice and provision. Learn what to expect from future inspections, plan for any changes or training needs and recognise any areas of your provision or practice that may require improvement. The key word for this course is "Ofsted" and costs £27 per person.
- Wednesday 7 February – 9.30am to 12.30pm
Active, Healthy and Learning – Understanding Physical Development (Webinar) is a half day webinar that will equip you to proactively promote and champion this vital prime area in your setting. It will enable you to ensure that all children are given the environment and opportunities they need physically to develop and thrive. The key word for this course is "physical" and costs £27 per person.
- Wednesday 7 February – 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Making Every Contact Count (MECC) (In person) aims to build on the skills learners already have. It looks to enhance knowledge, understanding, and confidence of learners to enable them to have short, simple, and focused conversations about health and wellbeing. The training will define MECC conversations, explore key principles and related theories. Before you attend this session you should complete the online MECC modules by visiting learnpublichealth.westsussex.gov.uk. The keyword for this course is "MECC" and is free to attend.
- Monday 12 February - 1.00pm to 4.00pm - Crawley, RH11 7EL
MECC Train the Trainer course (In person) will equip people with the skills and knowledge to deliver MECC sessions within their organisations. Before you attend the train the trainer you should have completed the MECC online training and also attended a MECC in person training event. The keyword for this course is "MECC" and is free to attend.
- Wednesday 13 March - 10.00am to 3.30pm - Worthing, BN13 1NP
To book please log on to the Learning and Development Gateway and search for the course using the corresponding key word or phrase. If you experience any issues when booking your course, please email early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk
Useful information
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 but 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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#1/2024 (Mandatory Early Years Census and FE spring term actuals; expansion of childcare funding offers update; understanding changes to the EYFS; starting school applications - 12 days to go; updated guidance - working together to safeguard children; admission arrangements consultation; bilingual support with school applications; best start in life part two; early years training)
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#297 (Safeguarding focus - when to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer; New Early Years Foundation Stage statutory documents published; Speech and Language Support in the Early Years; Free Early Years Special Educational Needs and Disabilities training; SEND and Inclusion newsletter; Free workshops cost of living support for children and families; Prevent duty guidance updated; Updates to GOV.UK login for training; Early Years Training)
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#296 (Advanced notice - Mandatory Early Years Census 2024; Coping with crying and safe sleep for babies training; Ofsted curriculum roadshows in West Sussex; Final reminder - the Big Ambition survey; Stronger Practice Hub new website; New Foundation Years blog post on National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership; Network meeting presentations; Early Years Training - e-learning modules available; Ofsted FAQ videos)
- #295 (Warning - Online Provider Portal downtime, Final Reminder - Childcare Expansion Forum Invitation, Early Years Alliance - webinar on Childcare Expansion, Provider survey - Childcare Expansion, Childminder agencies - changes to guidance, Updated - Childminder Start-up Grants, Updated Ofsted guidance - checks on household members and visitors, New mental health support resources for babies and children, Early Years Training)
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#294 (Final reminder - Renaming Free Entitlement for 2, 3 and 4 year olds; Advanced notice - Online Provider Portal downtime; Invitation to join Childcare Expansion Forum; Final reminder - consultation on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse; Tiny Happy People Champion training; Autumn Statement 2023; Ofsted annual report; New Traveller Education Support Early Years leaflet; Early Years Training)
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