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Information for Early Years and Childcare Providers - 'Newsfeed'

VIEW ALL SERVICES IN INFORMATION FOR EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS - 'NEWSFEED'

We'll be providing information and news for early years and childcare providers on these pages.

The latest Early Years and Childcare Monthly Bulletin is available to download.

Please also see the Provider News Board where providers can share their own information with each other.

Southampton City Council is working closely with Public Health England (PHE) to provide the latest Government and local advice for you on our coronavirus webpages.

You'll find information on schools, money and benefits, support for businesses, bins and recycling, venue closures and public transport as well as links to official Government guidance across sectors such as transport and residential care. There are also links to the latest NHS health advice.  

The Government has translated the guidance for self-isolation and social distancing into the following languages: Arabic, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish, Welsh.  The relevant links are below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

 

03 April 2020

02 April 2020

01 April 2020

31 March 2020

30 March 2020

26 March 2020

25 March 2020

24 March 2020

23 March 2020

  • Urgent request for information:  Please can all providers check their email accounts as we we need to capture some data from you, firstly to help with the strategic planning and secondly because the DfE is interested in what is going on across the country.
  • For All Early Years and Childcare Providers: Please find attached Update for Providers - 23 3 2020 (PDF 240KB) from Anne Downie, Early Years and Childcare Manager. This includes slightly amended DfE Guidance.
  • Financial Assistance for EYC Providers: The NDNA (National Day Nurseries Association) has updated their website to give specific guidance for financial assistance for EYC Providers in relation to Coronavirus/COVID-19: nurseries and early years providers

20 March 2020

  • Coronavirus Update:  Child health clinics held in Southampton Children Centres are closing from next week 23 March 2020.
    There will be a ‘Duty’ operated clinic for families to phone in with feeding/minor health issues etc. (Normal Clinic queries).
    Those families who need ‘face to face’ contact for specific weight monitoring, jaundice review, they will be offered appointed times in a Children’s Centre, which will be booked via ‘Duty’ phone call or health visitors/community health nurses following visits.
    Monday:  Pickles Coppice – 9.30 – 12.30
    Tuesday:  Cutbush – 12.30 – 15.30
    Wednesday:  Clovelly – 12.30 – 15.30
    Thursday:  Pickles Coppice – 9.30 – 12.30
    Friday:  Cutbush – 9.30 – 12.30
  • Update For All Early Years and Childcare Providers - including information on Key Workers:  Please see the Provider Update 20 Mar 2020 (PDF 212KB) from Anne Downie, Early Years and Childcare Manager.
  • For All Early Years and Childcare Providers: Please find attached updated information - 19 Mar 2020 (PDF 293KB) from Anne Downie, Early Years and Childcare Manager.
  • PACEY has collated lots of useful information about possible financial support for providers. Please see:  Pacey information re financial support
  • World Book Online have just made their fabulous collection of over 3,000 ebooks and audiobooks available for free for children to access at home. They have books suitable for all ages.  Please bear in mind that the World Book Online site may become extremely busy and loading times may therefore increase.

19 March 2020 PM

  • For All Early Years and Childcare Providers:  We understand that you are all trying to make necessary decisions about your provision from next week onwards. Like you, we are awaiting further clarification, however, in the meantime a letter will be sent out to you this afternoon.  It will clarify some of your queries and also request information from you about your initial thoughts and plans so far. Please respond to the letter promptly so that we are able to ensure that we can support you, your children and families in the best possible way.

19 March 2020 AM

  • URGENT UPDATE: For those of you who didn’t hear the Government’s announcements at 5pm on Wednesday, schools and early years settings will be closing at the end of Friday 20th March until further notice, except for those children whose parents are ‘key-workers’, that is probably that they work for the NHS, police, emergency services or are delivery drivers, and for more vulnerable children, which is probably those who are open to Social Care and those with EHCPs. More details on who exactly are defined as ‘key- workers’ will be shared by the government ‘very shortly’, and we will share this with you as soon as it is broadcast.
    Clearly this will be a very difficult message for many parents whose children don’t meet this criteria, but it’s about ensuring that our key services including the NHS are able to continue to support us all at this very difficult time, as well as reducing people-to-people contact as much as possible.
    Please do contact us if we can support you at this difficult time. 

18 March 2020

16 March 2020

  • The COVID-19: Guidance for Educational Settings Update: There has been a change made in the 'Guidance for schools and other educational settings' in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
    The Guidance has been updated at 11:00am, 16 March 2020
  • Illness Insurance - Information from Citizens Advice: Illness insurance protects your income if you are unable to work because of an accident, long-term ill health or disability.  There are several different kinds of illness insurance. Some pay out a single lump sum, some will pay out a regular monthly income, while others will cover payments for specific things, such as your mortgage or credit card payments.  The Citizens Advice webpage explains what types of illness insurance are available and what you need to think about before you take out this cover.

12 March 2020

  • The Department for Education & Public Health England advice on COVID-19 for educational settings.

  • Nursery Education Funding during the Coronavirus outbreak:  Changes in the national guidance on self isolation as at 12 March 2020: We will continue to pay Nursery Education Funding for any child who is self-isolating due to having a new cough or high temperature, as well as those who have been advised by Public Health or NHS to self-isolate.
    If you are advised that your setting must close, please contact us.
    If we get to the stage that all schools and settings are having to close, we will be following national guidance around funding.
    The guidance for education settings contains much useful information, including how to deep clean if someone who possibly has the virus has been in your setting.

  • Making handwashing fun! Boogie Mites have been putting together a package around the ‘Wash Your Hands’ message, to make it fun for under 5’s. There is a  catchy Boogie Mites ‘Wash Your Hands’ song with a video of the song in action in a nursery school. You can see a clip here: Wash your hands taster video.
    Please request the Wash Your Hands resource via this webform: http://bit.ly/WashYourHandsActivity to see what is provided. You will be emailed a link to the Customer Hub (CH) online site with access to the song resource page for Wash Your Hands.
    Nurseries need to click the link below to sign up for access to the CH resource page which includes the MP3 of the song, 2 videos and lyrics.
    Webform link –http://bit.ly/WashYourHandsActivity
    Boogie Mites have also put together a Social Media Tool Kit, including suggested posts/photos/gifs and video clips. You can access the SM resources via our Customer Hub, on the right of the page there is a button for the ‘SM Toolkit’.  Settings can use these if they would like to share with parents.

10 March 2020

05 March 2020

27 February 2020

  • Hungry Little Minds is a 3 year DfE- led campaign designed to make it easier for parents to support their child’s early development at home by chatting, playing and reading with them. Much more information and resources can be found on the gov.uk website.
    There is also now an app which has been developed to help parents make informed decisions about the use of technology in creating a positive learning environment at home. The full list of apps can be found on the Hungry Little Minds website.

13 February 2020

  • Beep Beep! Day - Wednesday 18 March 2020.  Every year thousands of tots and infants aged 2-7 take part in a special Beep Beep! Day organised by their school, nursery, playgroup or childminder, to help save little lives.  It's a great way to engage children with the road safety basics through fun activities, while raising awareness among parents and the wider community about protecting children on roads.  Beep Beep! Days are free for educators to register for, but you can also order a bumper resource pack for just £11.50+VAT.

20 January 2020

16 January 2020

12 December 2019

05 December 2019

02 December 2019

  • Preparing for BREXIT:  Southampton City Council has produced some information regarding preparing for Brexit for both residents and businesses/employers.  Please take a look to see how this may affect you personally and your setting/childcare business.

28 October 2019

  • The Early Years Alliance offers payroll and pension services to Early Years Settings.  This is a national service available to groups all over England and Wales; ideal for charitable organisations, pre-schools, village halls, afterschool/holiday clubs and many other community groups.  https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/south-west

  • Road Safety: Beep Beep! Days with Timmy Time are a great opportunity for early year’s educators to introduce 2-7 year olds to road safety basics, with fun activities and resources provided by Brake.
    You can register for your free action pack and get involved during Road Safety Week 2019. The pack includes lots of fun road safety activities or purchase a bumper pack (£11.50 +VAT) for more reusable, laminated road safety activities, certificates and stickers!
    For more information visit brakezebras.org/beep

24th October 2019

21st October 2019

  • Early Help:  The newly updated Early Help section of the Southampton City Council website is now available to view. There is now an online referral form that you can complete which will be sent directly to the Early Help Hub when you submit it. The website gives information on what will happen following the referral as well as information on the Families Matter service.

    The new section is now live: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/health-social-care/children/child-social-care/early-help.aspx

    This is useful for things like print materials where someone might want to type in the web address.

    For further information please see the Early Help Presentation - Autumn 19 (PDF 1.6MB)

    If you have any questions or need help completing the form, you can contact the Early Help Team on 023 8083 3311 or email earlyhelphub@southampton.gov.uk

25 July 2019

  • Childminders: what the education inspection framework means for you:  The new education inspection framework was published on 14 May 2019. From September 2019 Ofsted inspections will focus on the real substance of education, the curriculum.  Watch this webinar to hear first-hand from Ofsted policy leads about: - the biggest consultation to date - what was proposed, what you told Ofsted and how they listened - the changes and what they mean for childminders and younger children - some of the myths around inspection and, - have questions around paperwork, ratios and cultural capital clarified.

10 July 2019

30 May 2019

  • News for grandparents:  We now have a webpage dedicated to grandparents.  There are details of national and local agencies and services who can advise and support them including a link to the Protecting children website and information on grandchild/ren and the involvement of Children’s Services.


08 April 2019

14 March 2019

  • Language Development - Nuffield Foundation/NHS Solent Project:  Are you aware of any child aged 21 - 34 months who is English speaking but not yet putting two words together, or who has a vocabulary of less than 40 words?  If so, this Research Project (PDF 5MB) may be able to help.

28 February 2019

14 February 2019

  • LADO - the latest version of the LADO Notification Form can now be found on the Safeguarding Children for providers webpage, along with details on how to securely submit the form to LADO. 


15 January 2019

  • What is Prevent? 'Prevent' information and resources developed by Southampton City Council for schools, early years settings, voluntary organisations and the public

19 December 2018

13 December 2018

12 December 2018

01 November 2018

  • The Government has updated its statutory guidance on female genital mutilation (FGM). It was first published in 2016 but was updated October in 2018. The guidance is relevant to any person or body subject to statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults

30 October 2018

  • Is your toddler not yet putting two words together? If so, you may be able to take part in a research project which aims to help children develop their language through group learning sessions for parents.

26 September 2018

  • Leadership and Management bite-size workshops - first one FREE!
  • An early years Personal Education Plan is initially completed for every looked after 2, 3 or 4 year old ‎in the term after they start in funded early education.
    Please contact your EYAT if you have any queries.

25 September 2018

  • Revised guidance from Public Health England for early years childcare settings on the nasal spray flu (influenza) vaccination for preschool children.

19 September 2018

11 September 2018

  • The attached is a suggested strapline from NHS England to be included in all school offer/registration emails to help promote the importance of childhood immunisations.

23 July 2018

  • Disqualification (from working with children) by association: statutory guidance
    Following a public consultation, DfE has removed the rule banning early years staff from working with children in non-domestic settings and schools because of who they live with.
    The changes will come into effect from September 2018
    The new guidance removes disqualification by association for individuals working in childcare in non-domestic settings (e.g. schools and nurseries)
    Disqualification by association will continue to apply for those providing and working in childcare in domestic settings (e.g. where childcare is provided in a childminder’s home).

    Amending the childcare disqualification arrangements in schools and non-domestic registered settings government consultation response (PDF 424KB)

10 July 2018

  • The Department for Education (DfE) has published advice to support practitioners in the decisions they take to share information, which reduces the risk of harm to children and young people and promotes their well-being. This advice has been updated to reflect the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.

06 July 2018

15 June 2018

  • Multi-Lingual Phrasebook: A new multilingual phrasebook has been added to the Tools for the Workforce webpage  It is not intended to replace an interpreter but is a useful tool to get across simple messages.

14 June 2018

  • Family Action - Digital Parent Support Service:  Do you know parents/carers who may need help or support in the evenings and weekends? If so, please circulate details of the free Digital Parent Support Service. Through the parent helpline, befrienders and counselling service, they can provide emotional and practical support and guidance on all aspects of parenting.
  • Freephone 0808 802 0222
  • Text: 07537 404 282
  • Email NDPSS@family-action.org.uk
  • Open weekdays 6pm to 10pm, weekends 10am to 1pm
  • Available for parents and carers across England

11 June 2018

  • Language Development - Nuffield Foundation/NHS Solent Project:  Are you aware of any child aged 21 - 34 months who is English speaking but not yet putting two words together, or who has a vocabulary of less than 40 words?  If so, this Research Project (PDF 5MB) may be able to help.

30 April 2018

17 April 2018

08 February 2018

  • Sure Start Special is a unique and new project for children who have been exposed to parental domestic violence and abuse.  It is an early intervention programme for both children aged 3 or 4 years and their mother/carer. Details of the project can be found on the Sure Start Special webpage.

04 January 2018

  • Parental Responsibility and Data-Sharing Guidance from Southampton City Council - (PDF 1.4MB):  Dealing with issues that arise from family breakups and child protection can be difficult, time-consuming and can have unwelcome consequences should they not be handled appropriately from the very beginning.  Although this guidance primarily aims to assist schools in dealing with such situations because there are legal responsibilities to consider in terms of parental responsibility and data sharing, early years and childcare providers could use this to inform their own policies/procedures.

11 December 2017

  • EYupskill:  A website has been launched by the DfE to provide early years practitioners with impartial advice and information about training and development.  Please check that any courses you are considering are accredited and meet the relevant Oftsed requirements.

03 November 2017

  • Level 3 Qualifications: Practitioners wishing to apply for a Level 3 post, should hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification.  Post 2014, the qualification will have Early Years Educator in the title, for example:
  • CACHE Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator) (VRQ).
  • CACHE Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) (QCF).
  • City & Guilds Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) (QCF).
  • Skillsfirst Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (Early Years Educator).
  • Pearson UK BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator).
  • To check whether a qualification is full and relevant, use the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications; or the DfE-approved qualifications list, pre- and post-2014.

02 November 2017

26 October 2017

27 July 2017

  • Free business support for early years settings.  NDNA supported by the Department for Education are due to launch a free online toolkit to help nursery businesses.  The Early Years Business Zone is a great new initiative that will provide a dedicated free to access online resource, tailored to the specific needs of early years businesses.  Developed by the sector for the sector, the Early Years Business Zone will help you analyse your business performance, identify areas where help may be required and signpost you to relevant support.   A number of workshops and live webinars are available on The Early Years Business Zone website to demonstrate the toolkit.

 

TOP SEARCHES:

 

30 Hour Offer

To view all our information regarding the 30 hour offer please visit our '30 Hour Offer for Childcare Professionals' pages.

Early Years and Childcare Briefing Sessions

The Early Years and Childcare Team hold regular briefing sessions for all providers in the city of Southampton.

Presentations and documentation from the most recent sessions can be found on the 
Early Years and Childcare Briefing Sessions webpage.

Early Years and Childcare Monthly Bulletins and Newsletters

Monthly Bulletins:

EYC Monthly Bulletin: March 2019 (PDF 504 KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: February 2019 (PDF 502KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: January 2019 (PDF 480KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: December 2018 (PDF 510KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: November 2018 (PDF 450KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: October 2018 (PDF 169KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: September 2018 (PDF 486KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: July 2018 (PDF 481KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: May-June 2018 (PDF 481KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: March 2018 (PDF 490 KB)

EYC Monthly Bulletin: January to February 2018 (PDF 560 KB)

ECaT - Every Child a Talker

For details of the ECaT - Every Child a Talker information please see the ECaT webpage.

Education in Schools

Information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Health

06 July 2018

23 January 2017

28 October 2016

18 August 2016

  • The Department of Health has published an infographic (PDF 62KB) , based on existing Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) guidelines, promoting physical activity in the under 5's.  It will help early years practitioners, health visitors, and doctors to talk with parents about the importance of young children being active and can also be used as a training resource.

22 July 2016

  • New First Aid requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage from September 2016
    The government intends to amend the necessary regulations so that from September 1st 2016, it will be a requirement in the EYFS that newly qualified early years staff (with full and relevant level 2 or level 3 childcare qualification) will also need to hold a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) or emergency PFA certificate in order to be included in the required staff: child ratios in an early years setting.
    Childcare providers will be allowed a three month ‘grace’ period to complete PFA training after starting work with a new employer.
    The government intends to revise EYFS which reflects the proposed changes, to be published soon alongside the amended regulations.
    Paediatric first aid requirements in the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage: government response

2 June 2016

  • Wessex Healthier Together - Worried about your child’s health? – do you need advice, a doctor or is it an emergency?  Wessex Healthier Together is a new website and app, developed by local healthcare professionals for parents and carers.  It provides information about what might be wrong, what to do and where to go for help.

20 January 2016

29 June 2015

HEYA - Healthy Early Years Award

To view all our information regarding HEYA please visit our HEYA - Healthy Early Years Award pages.

HMRC

19 December 2018


21 July 2017

  • 30 Hours and/or Tax-free Childcare - Information for parents:

How parents who have applied for 30 hours already can access their account with the HMRC Childcare Service (PDF 338KB).

25 August 2016

Men in Early Years

21 July 2015

  • Southampton Area Men in Early Years
    Do you employ male practitioners? Are you a man working in early years and childcare? If so, do you know about SAMEY (Southampton Area Men in Early Years)? SAMEY offers support and information to male early years and childcare practitioners.

Money Matters

17 April 2018

Ofsted

 23 July 2018

  • Ofsted Big Conversation (OBC) Event:  Join Ofsted on 3 November 2018 for a morning of discussion and presentations focusing upon Ofsted inspection work, school readiness and best practice. There will also be the opportunity to take part in an open Q&A session with Ofsted and network with other providers.

16 July 2018

  • Urgent Message from Oftsed:  Please see the Ofsted Statement - July 18 (DOCX 17KB) regarding upcoming interruptions to Ofsted's normal processes from mid-July, caused by the improvement work taking place for their internal systems.  There will be a scheduled pause in their applications process and some disruption to the services they are able to provide by phone, email and online.

25 August 2016

  • IMPORTANT NEWS - OfSTED have updated their safeguarding guidelines on 23 August. The handbook sets out what inspectors must consider when inspecting safeguarding. It outlines the evidence that inspectors will look for during inspections.

13 June 2016

Safeguarding and Prevent

For all Safeguarding Bulletins please see Safeguarding Children section of the website.  This section also includes information on The Prevent Duty - Protecting children from Radicalisation.

For further information on safeguarding children please see the Southampton Local Safeguarding Children Board webpages.

SEND

05 April 2018

  • Updated Disability Access Fund Agreement Form (DAF) - If you are funded for any 3 or 4 year olds who are in receipt of disability living allowance (DLA) you can claim an annual payment to support you to meet the child's needs.  Please complete the updated DAF Agreement Form (DAF) - April 2018 (DOCX 51KB) and return to the Early Years Funding Team: we do not need you to send us a copy of the DLA letter, but please keep a copy for your own records for audit purposes. 
    Disability Access Funding (DAF) can only be paid from the term after a child is 3 (so is eligible for the universal offer). Settings can then reapply in the following April.  (Inclusion Support Funding (ISF) can be applied for once a child is 3.)Inclusion Support Fund:  Please see and use the revised
    Inclusion Support Fund Application Forms.

18 May 2015

Training

Support & Training from the Early Years and Childcare Team:

To view all our information regarding Support from the Early Years and Childcare Team please visit our Southampton Early Years and Childcare Service support pages.

General and Workforce Development:

Please see the relevant sections on the main training webpage.

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