#42/2026 - Wednesday 28 October 2026
This week's newsletter includes:
- Autumn term headcount payments for providers paid twice termly
- Local Inclusion Networks – have your say
- BBC CBeebies Parenting - new YouTube channel and resources
- Primary and Early Years Foundation Stage Leaders' Evidence Briefings
- Early Years Foundation Stage Leader and Childminder Networks
- Fully funded Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification - bursaries still available
- Early Years and Childcare Training Programme survey – complete and be entered into a prize draw
- Making Every Contact Count vaccination training – supporting early years conversations
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Latest Ofsted news and updates here.
The majority of headcount payments for providers who receive up to two payments per term (one estimate payment and one headcount payment) have been released as advertised, and payments will have been received last week.
However, there are a number of outstanding issues which has meant that we have been unable to release all payments to all providers. The two main reasons for any payment delays are:
- Queries surrounding the number of weeks claimed, either for individual children or for the whole setting. The EYFE Finance Team has emailed all providers with this issue, and as long as you have replied, these are being actioned as quickly as possible.
- Individual children exceeding their yearly allowance of either 570 or 1140 hours. This term there have been over 2000 individual children exceed their yearly allowance, which is an exceptionally high amount compared to other terms as it normally averages around 100 individual children affected. To resolve this, the EYFE Finance Team must go into each individual claim, and reduce the claim either by amending the number of weeks or hours claimed this term. Unfortunately, due to the volume of cases, the EYFE Finance Team has been unable to contact providers individually regarding this issue. This is to ensure that the work can continue to ensure outstanding payments can be resolved and released as quickly as possible. Where we need to discuss specific cases, The EYFE Finance Team will contact providers directly by email.
As soon as all outstanding issues are resolved for an individual provider, the payment will be processed the next day. We would respectfully ask that you do not chase for payment updates as the Early Years Funding Team/FIS do not have access to all the information regarding the status of your payments and the EYFE Finance Team will email directly if they need further information to resolve an issue.
The EYFE finance team have advised that they expect the vast majority of the payments that have been held, due to the above issues to be resolved by the end of the week.
We are currently planning the development of (LINs) across West Sussex and would really value feedback from settings and families to help shape this work.
It is important that the LIN offer reflects the needs of the sector, and we are particularly keen to hear from childminders and early years providers. Your experiences, ideas and feedback will help ensure that the support and networking opportunities developed are meaningful, relevant and beneficial for those working directly with children and families.
Please take a few moments to review and share this flyer with your colleagues, parents and carers. Your voices are important and will help contribute to creating an inclusive and effective LIN offer for the Early Years sector.
Thank you in advance for your support and contribution. Together, we can help shape a network that meets the needs of children, families and practitioners across West Sussex.
CBeebies Parenting has launched new resources for parents and carers of pre-school children, offering honest conversations, shared experiences and trusted advice.
The brand-new YouTube channel includes the documentary series ‘Parenting Unscripted’ with content also available on BBC iPlayer.
The series features 5 well-known parents - Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges, Traitors star Leanne Quigley, rapper Krept, Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke and Strictly Come Dancing's Dani Dyer. The parents share their relatable experiences of parenthood and the challenges and emotions they have faced. The series also has an accompanying Parenting Download podcast offering expert advice.
There are also autumnal resources that can be shared with parents and carers, including Halloween games, story time, a pumpkin pancakes recipe, indoor and outdoor activities, and a Halloween activity schedule that can be used interactively or printed.
Please share these new resources with parents and carers at your setting.
Each term, North Yorkshire Coast Research School and Exchange Research School host online Leaders' Evidence Briefings for early years and primary school educators.
The first one taking place this academic year is Tuesday 3 November, 8.15am to 8.45am.
The short sessions are a great opportunity to stay up to date with the latest research and resources from the Education Endowment Foundation and Department for Education.
If you are interested in joining, please complete the online Leaders Evidence Briefings 26/27 form.
Future briefing dates:
- Tuesday 23 February 2027, 8.15am to 8.45am
- Tuesday 8 June 2027, 8.15am to 8.45am
If you are interested in hearing this information but are unable to attend at any of these times, please still sign up as you will receive a recording to listen to at a time that works for you.
Thank you for joining us at the recent network meetings. Please find below the slides from the sessions:
Following feedback from settings, West Sussex County Council have put in place a bursary scheme to support eligible staff and volunteers in gaining a Level 3 Early Years Educator diploma.
The 18 month course is delivered by Chichester College and includes a commitment to attend 10 workshops. Participants can join the programme at any time, making it a flexible opportunity to develop skills and qualifications within your setting.
For more information and to apply, please visit our web page for more information.
In newsletter #40/2026, we invited all settings, including school-age (wraparound) childcare providers, who have attended any paid training in the last 3 years to complete a short survey.
Every 3 years, the Early Years Education and Childcare Training team commission a new training offer. This requires reflection and an evaluation of the current programme, to ensure that the new offer is responsive to the needs of the sector.
The survey is open now until 31 October 2026.
Completed surveys with an email address will be automatically entered into a prize draw.
If you have any questions, please contact early.years.training@westsussex.gov.uk.
In newsletter #31/2026 we let you know about some new dates for the Making Every Contact Count vaccination training.
The training supports staff, including those in early years, to have positive and informed conversations with families about vaccination.
There are still places available. Please visit the Learning and Development Gateway to view upcoming dates and book your place.
Useful information
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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41/2026 (Safeguarding Focus: New legal duty to share information from 30 September 2026; Pan Sussex Safeguarding Month; West Sussex Neglect Strategy 2024 to 2029, Childcare Expansion Capital Grant funding – applications now open, October SEND and Inclusion newsletter, New Learners from Birth website, Last call for applications: National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leaders, Reminder: Free online Level 2 Early Years Practitioner diploma - enrol before 30 October 2026, Safeguarding and Child Protection in Early Years course returns, Early Years Training: Autumn £10 expansion courses)
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#40/2026 (Business Focus: Food from home arrangements and Early Years Funding Entitlements, Free online Level 2 Early Years Practitioner diploma: enrol by 15 October 2026, School-age Childcare Networks, Early Years and Childcare Training Programme Survey, SEND Reform Plan approval, Benedict's Law, West Sussex Early Years Education and Childcare Conference 2027: Closing Gaps Before They Grow - open for bookings, Transition events, Early Years Training)
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#39/2026 (Good Level of Development Focus: Emotional health and wellbeing; Early Years Training: literacy and phonics; Early years SEND continuing professional development (CPD) programme - free training opportunity; Starting school applications; Disclosure and Barring Service fee reductions; Nursery World Awards 2026; Missed a vaccine? It is not too late; West Sussex Virtual School autumn updates)
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#38/2026 (Business Focus: Marketing for early years and childcare providers; Online Parent Declaration - available tomorrow; Early Years Funded Entitlement (EYFE) for Working Families eligibility code checking; Free online Level 2 Early Years Practitioner diploma: enrol before 15 October 2026; New Martyn’s Law guidance for education settings; Department for Education Funded Inclusion Training; Early Years Training)
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#37/2026 (Have you submitted your Termly Provider Update?; Palliative and end of life care needs assessment findings webinar; Have your say on the future of early childhood; Encourage timely vaccinations; Early Years Training)
Early Years and Childcare newsletter web page.
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