#20/2026 - Wednesday 20 May 2026
This week's newsletter includes:
- Safeguarding Focus - Switched on to privacy: resources for early years, school-age childcare and out-of-school settings
- Worthing Children’s Development Centre – new referral process
- Childminder inspection experience survey
- Kent and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub - training opportunities
- Attunement and Interaction - the magic of communicating without words
- Virtual School - newsletter, Personal Education Plan reminder and training opportunities
- Childhood immunisations
- Early Education Training
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Latest Ofsted news and updates here.
Switched on to privacy: resources for early years, school-age childcare and out-of-school settings
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a national campaign, 'Switched on to privacy'. The aim of the campaign is to help children and young people understand online privacy and how personal information is used. The campaign supports the online safety and safeguarding work already taking place in early years, school-age and out-of-school childcare settings.
The ICO has produced a free toolkit with simple, practical resources that settings and family-facing services can use to help start age-appropriate conversations about online privacy. This can support Early Years Foundation Stage settings alongside provision for school-age children, including breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs.
Settings may wish to signpost the campaign through your own newsletters, parent communications or safeguarding updates, and use the resources to reinforce key messages with children and families.
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We would like to share an important update regarding referrals to the Worthing CDC.
The Worthing CDC can only accept referrals for children who are registered with a GP within the Worthing catchment area. Referrals must be submitted by professionals. Unfortunately, they are unable to accept direct referrals from parents or carers. However, parental consent is essential. This includes consent for both the referral itself and for the sharing of relevant information, as outlined within the referral form. Please note, the referral form included in this article is specific to Worthing CDC and should not be used for other centres.
All referrals will be reviewed through a weekly triage process by our multidisciplinary team. In some cases, the referrer may be contacted for additional information. This will ensure that each child receives the most appropriate and timely assessment.
Coram PACEY and Ofsted are working together to gather feedback from childminders who have been inspected under the new inspection framework.
If you have had an inspection since November 2025, please share your experience by completing the share your inspection experience survey.
The Kent and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub have shared a a number of training and development opportunities.
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Maths Champions information sessions - the National Day Nurseries Association will be delivering the Maths Champions programme fully funded by the Education Endowment Foundation and Department for Education to eligible providers. There are available sessions throughout May and June.
This year Infant Mental Health Awareness week runs from 8 to 14 June 2026, with the focus on the theme of 'Attunement'.
Attunement is the ability to understand and respond to another person's emotions. It is important for everyone, but especially for babies and their parents or carers.
Trish Doran, Language and Social Disadvantage Associate, will be hosting a webinar exploring the complexity of interacting with babies who cannot yet talk. The session will focus on babies' natural ability to communicate intentionally and emotionally engage with those around them. It will explore the different non-verbal cues babies use to communicate and the importance of how responsive adult interactions support their emotional regulation and early communication skills.
To book, please click on the course name below:
Newsletter
The Virtual School newsletter for summer 2026 is now available. It includes a reminder about the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, an example of how a West Sussex primary school is using soft starts to nurture wellbeing and improve attendance, and details of the summer term training offer.
PEP deadlines
If you have a Child We Care For in your setting, please note that the PEP deadline for Summer 2026 is 30 June. For any support in the PEP process, please contact the PEP champion listed on the PEP or email wsvs@westsussex.gov.uk.
Training for foster and kinship carers
A few spaces remain available to book for the Care to Know More webinars designed exclusively for Foster and Kinship carers. If any children in your setting currently live with foster or kinship carers, please share this webinar flyer with the family. For any queries, please contact wsvs@westsussex.gov.uk or fostering.training.coordinator@westsussex.gov.uk.
Virtual reality training: understanding trauma
Step into the world of a child using immersive virtual reality technology. This session provides a powerful insight into how trauma can shape children’s lived experiences and daily interactions.
Theraplay-inspired workshops
These practical workshops are rooted in the play-based principles of Theraplay, helping you build safety, connection and resilience in your setting.
To book, please select the course above or log in to the West Sussex Services for Education booking portal. For any queries, please contact emma.hoare@westsussex.gov.uk.
In early years settings, you play an important role in helping children start school as healthy as possible. One important way to protect children's health is by encouraging families to keep up to date with recommended childhood immunisations.
Immunisation is a safe and effective way of protecting children from serious illnesses such as measles, rubella, tetanus, and meningitis. Routine vaccinations begin at 2 months of age and continue throughout childhood and adolescence.
The NHS have produced a helpful resource, 'A guide to vaccinations for Pre-school', which provides information on the routine vaccinations offered before children start school. The guide explains which diseases vaccines protect against, why they are important, and answers common questions that parents and carers may have.
If parents or carers are unsure whether their child is fully up to date with their vaccinations, they should be encouraged to check their child’s Personal Child Health Record (Red Book) or contact their GP surgery.
For further information, please visit the Childhood Immunisations web page.
If families have any questions or would like further advice, they should speak to their GP, practice nurse or health visitor.
Following the strong interest and positive response last year, the course, 'Safeguarding and Child Protection in Early Years – recording, reporting and referring: concise and clear' will be running for the second year as part of our training programme.
Suitable for all staff members within an early year’s setting, the course introduces key safeguarding skills in recording and reporting. It explores how daily records contribute to safeguarding chronologies, what makes an effective referral report, and how to communicate information clearly and succinctly. It also focuses on balancing brevity with detail, and using appropriate language to convey essential information.
To book, please click on the course name below or log in to the booking portal, West Sussex Services for Education.
If you experience any issues when booking your course, please email early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk.
Useful information
- 21 May - Census day for summer term
- 22 May - Deadline for settings to complete action plans for Inclusion funding
- w/c 1 June - actuals payments due to settings receiving two payments per term
We share a weekly Jobs in Early Years and Childcare bulletin with members of the public. You can find guidance and a template for submitting your job adverts to this bulletin on our advertise early years and childcare jobs web page. You will also find useful guidance on advertising your job vacancies on other platforms.
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:
It is important you follow the correct steps and notify the relevant teams and professionals if your setting needs to close.
Contact your local setting support team and visit our closing your early years and childcare setting web page for step by step support.
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19/2026 (Good Level of Development Focus - Mathematical development; Childminder appreciation week - a big thank you to all of our West Sussex childminders; Updates to Ofsted documents; UK Health Security Agency advice for Early Education settings; Level 3 Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship; Early Years Specialist Advisory Teachers referral - deadline approaching; Termly Provider Update; SEND and Inclusion newsletter; Early Education Training)
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18/2026 (Business focus: Committee run provision; Summer term 2026 termly census and actuals - deadline this Friday; Reporting serious childcare incidents within 14 days; Qualify as an Early Years Teacher while you work; Bursaries for level 3 diploma working in the early years sector; Crawley College NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Occupational entry for Early Years; Updates for Holiday Activities and Food providers; Early Years Training)
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17/2026 (Reminder – EYFE termly census and actuals are open;New webpage for childminders – Changing who you are registered with; White Paper on education reform – consultation reminder; Supporting families with childhood immunisations; Making Every Contact Count vaccination training – supporting early years conversations; Share a Story month; National Education Nature Park webinar; National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership autumn cohort; Early Years Training)
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16/2026 (Safeguarding Focus: Safeguarding during transitions - what you need to do; West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership safeguarding drop-in sessions; West Sussex Best Start Plan; Inclusive Early Years Fund; New practical advice for families to get children school ready; Foster carers event from the Virtual School; Funded Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualifications; Help improve the ‘Check an early years service qualification’ online service; Thriving In Education Grants; Early Years Training)
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15/2026 (Good Level of Development Focus - Physical activity and children's development; Summer term 2026 census and actuals claims - action required; Transition events 2026; Supporting families - Starting Reception website; Month of the Military Child - activities for settings; Early Years Training)
Early Years and Childcare newsletter web page.
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