Newsletter for Out of School providers in West Sussex
#1/2024 - Friday 12 January 2024
This newsletter includes:
- Expansion of childcare offers survey
- New Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework
- Holiday Activity and Food programme
- Setting Support Phone Line
- Ofsted outcomes
- Out of School Alliance - National Wraparound Childcare programme factsheet
- Free workshops - cost of living support for families
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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 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 project 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.
Following a consultation in Summer 2023, the Department for Education have published the two updated EYFS statutory framework documents. These two frameworks, one for childminders and one for group and school-based providers, replace the previous EYFS framework from 4 January 2024.
The majority of the changes to requirements relate to providers who deliver care for children who are not yet attending full time school. Some changes are applicable to all providers, including those who operate before and after school, or during the holidays, for school aged children. Therefore, it is important that Out of School providers read the updated statutory guidance to ensure their provision remains compliant.
The HAF programme is fully funded by the Department for Education and offers children who are entitled to benefits related free school meals the opportunity to attend a participating holiday activity club and have a free meal. There are a wide variety of clubs spread across the County. Eligible children can attend their chosen HAF provision for a maximum of:
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four days per week for one week at Easter,
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four weeks during the Summer, and
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one week at Christmas
Providers interested in offering HAF places for eligible children can place a ‘bid’, known as an Expression of Interest, for HAF funding. This can be done by making a bid each term or one bid can be made for multiple school holidays. Expression of Interest is open for one month in December, March and September and exact dates will be shared on the HAF web page.
Expressions of Interest for the Summer/Winter HAF programme are open from 1 March 2024 and close at midnight 1 April 2024. For more information and to place an Expression of Interest visit the HAF web page. If you would like to discuss your bid before you submit, or if you or families have any general enquiries, please contact the HAF team by emailing haf@westsussex.gov.uk.
A reminder that the Setting Support Phone Line is an advice and support service for practitioners and childminders from Early Years and Childcare settings on any inclusion topic. An Early Years and Childcare Advisor will provide advice and strategies, relating to inclusion, over the phone. The phoneline is for inclusion practice support only.
You can contact the Setting Support Phone Line on 01243 777807. Please ask to be transferred to the "Setting Support Phone Line". The phoneline is available every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. For more information please go to the Setting Support Phone Line web page.
In 2023, Ofsted published reports for 36 West Sussex Out of School (OOS) providers. 31 of these received a Met, Good or Outstanding judgement and five received a judgement that they were not meeting the expected standard. You can read a summary of comments for West Sussex OOS inspections to see key recommendations for settings not meeting the expected standard and positive comments from inspectors during their inspection.
These are just a few of the comments from reports but the positive comments are a reflection of the amazing provision that is available for children in West Sussex. Thank you.
In March 2023 the Department for Education announced a significant investment in school-aged childcare during the Spring Budget 2023. The OOSA have created a factsheet in relation to the National Wraparound Childcare programme, which includes an overview of the programme and key dates.
Help children and families build resilience in the face of the rising cost of living by joining this free webinar. You do not need any specialist knowledge to join and you will be introduced to stories, games, songs and Makaton signing activities. The workshop will provide you with the tools you need to support parents and children, so they can learn about money together. You will also receive free resources and information to help you signpost parents more effectively to the support they need.
"It was really valuable to discover what terms and approaches are most appropriate to use with learners when discussing such sensitive and important matters. There were lots of really practical tips and I was signposted to some excellent resources. Overall, it has really boosted my motivation and confidence." - Karen Anderson, Tutor.
Book your free place via the Campaign for Learning website.
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 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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#8 (Government guidance - the wraparound childcare programme, Capital funding for the childcare expansion, Holiday Activity and Food Programme - Winter bookings, Sufficiency updates - deadline approaching, Consultation on the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, Holiday Activity and Food Programme - Expression of Interest 2024, The Big Ambition survey, Right from the Start: West Sussex Early Years and Childcare Strategy event, The National Playwork Conference)
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#7 (Spring budget - wraparound care update; new targeted setting support - business and sustainability form; holiday activities and food programme - expression of interest; the 14th annual playwork awards; the national conference for out of school clubs)
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#6 (HAF programme; HAF expression of interest; tax-free childcare webinar; reminder to submit - termly childcare provider update form; food safety and sensory food education webinar)
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#5 (Spring budget announcement; wraparound care for military families; TFC new HMRC mailbox; Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month; paediatric first aid courses available)
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#4 (Business opportunity in Wisborough Green; HAF - bookings open; HAF - expressions of interest; Ofsted themes; tax-free childcare; wrap around childcare for armed forces families; employment allowance; safe clubs for children; useful web links; green business newsletter)
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#3 (Ofsted out of school providers offering HAF places; national playwork conference is back; reminder to submit termly childcare provider update forms)
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