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.

07 November 2019

• ECaT:  Please note, the ECaT Workshop for Childminders (7^th November), and the ECaT Clubs (13^th & 14^th November) have been cancelled.
• Monthly Bulletin:  The latest Monthly Bulletin for November 2019 (PDF 537KB) is now available.

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

• ASC: The latest ASC's form are now available to download from the Southampton Annual Shared Conversation - ASC webpage.

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.

11 July 2019

• Introduction to Neglect - workshop spaces available: This LSCB workshop is an introduction on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of neglect and is aimed at professionals working with Children and Families.  If you wish to book a place please follow the link for Introduction to Neglect, alternatively you can call 023 8083 3781.

10 July 2019

• Hungry Little Minds:  The Department for Education has just launched Hungry Little Minds – a new three-year campaign to encourage parents to engage in activities that support their child’s early learning and help set them up for school and beyond. Parents can access tips and activities from https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/ and also search for activities in their area using a new postcode finder service.  Hungry Little Minds - Launch Toolkit - updated version (PDF 1.5MB).

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

• The EYC Charging Policy Document for Support (PDF 615KB) has been updated for the current year.

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

• Updated Parent Declaration Form for early years providers accessing Nursery Education Funding and Portal Guidance for EY providers accessing Disability Access Funding.  

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. 

21 January 2019

• There are a number of partnership hub meetings taking place across the city over the coming weeks. These local groups, run by providers, are a valuable place for sharing good practice, building consistency and continuity between settings and networking for all providers – childminders, preschools, nurseries, schools and out of school settings. Take a look at the Providers Notice Board - Partnership Working page for details of dates and times and who to contact. 

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
• The ECaT Posters for 2019 (Communication Friendly Environments) are now available to download.

19 December 2018

• Help and Support from HMRC regarding employing people plus the latest National Mimimum Wage and National Living Wage webinars.

13 December 2018

• Button Battery Safey Advice from the Child Accident Prevent Trust.

12 December 2018

• HM Government and Childcare Choices latest information for Early Years providers to share with parents on money towards childcare.

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

• When your child is unwell, when should you send your child to preschool, nursery or to their childminder? For advice and guidance from the NHS, please see the attached 'Winter Preparedness Advice for Parents 2018/19'.

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

• The Department for Education has published two pieces of statutory safeguarding guidance. This guidance sets the framework within which all practitioners should operate in order to protect children from abuse and neglect and promote their best interests.  Revised Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance (PDF 2.22 KB) and Working Together Transitional Arrangements (PDF 300 KB).
• Do you ever have speakers in or let out your premises to the community?  Some speakers may wish to promote views that have the potential to be contentious, inflammatory or offensive which could have the potential to be very divisive and may influence the children in your care and bring your premises into disrepute.  See the latest Prevent Extremist Speaker Guidance (003) (PDF 548KB) from the Police for details on what questions to ask to help ensure the safety of the children and that your premises are not used inappropriately. 

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

• 0-19 Integrated Early Help and Prevention Service:  Welcome from Mia Wren, Head of Service, to the first professional’s newsletter for the 0-19 Early Help and Prevention Service. She would like to tell you about the integration of some of the children’s services in the city which make up the new integrated service.  Whilst in the planning phase she would like to hear from people who work in the City to help develop a service which is responsive to the needs of local families.
  0-19 Professional Stakeholder Newsletter No. 1 June 2018 (PDF 652KB)
• 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

• Updated: Spotlight On Bruising Protocol v2 (PDF 341KB). For the latest version of the full protocol  and further information for parents and professionals please see our webpage:  Bruising in non-mobile infants - information for professionals.

17 April 2018

• Guidance and resources for parents/carers Claiming Disability Living Allowance for Children
  Claiming DLA for Children (PDF 632 KB)
  Love DLA (PDF 126 KB)
  Help in the Early Years (PDF 154 KB)
  A Guide to DLA
  Myths about DLA
• Updated eligibility criteria for the free early education entitlement for two-year-olds, and the Early Years Pupil Premium under Universal Credit.

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.
• 30 Hours - Reconfirming:  To keep their 30 hours free childcare place parents need to check their details are up to date every 3 months and confirm this online.  Please see our '30 Hour Offer for Childcare Professionals' webpage for help with reconfirming issues.

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

• New guidance from Ofsted: Criminal Record Checks for Childminders and Childcare Workers - how to get a DBS check if you want to look after children for a living: who needs a check, what it costs and how long it takes.

26 October 2017

• Rates Relief for Small Businesses:  Small businesses in Southampton can look forward to business rates relief over the next four years, thanks to funding provided by central Government.
• SEED Report: Early Education helps both language and emotional development.   You may wish to display this report in your settings to share with staff and parents.

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.

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