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Bulletin 258

16 January 2023

Welcome to our Early Years and Childcare bulletin. Previous bulletins are available at: Cheshire East Early years and Childcare Bulletin

Covid-19

Latest Covid Figures for Cheshire East

The Covid figures are now being updated on a less frequent basis - for the latest figures see the link below.

Business Support

Early Years Entitlement Funding for 2023/24

Following further clarification from the Department for Education, we are now able to increase the 3-& 4-year-old hourly rate paid to providers by 5.64% rather than 4.5% as included in last week’s bulletin.

The funding formula for 2023/24 is now finalised; the rates below will be submitted to the Children and Families Committee for approval in February and introduced from 1 April 2023.

Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) – “banked” hours

“Banked” hours can occur when settings claim the maximum annual free entitlement and stretch the hours across the year.  The stretched entitlement hours are unlikely to equal the exact hours attended. Either an over claim or “banked” hours to be taken at other times will occur.  Following recent audits and parent queries, we are finding that the banked hours are not necessarily being taken.

For example, claiming 30 hours x 38 weeks = 1,140 hours. Dividing 1,140 hours by 51 weeks equates to 22.35 funded hours p/week.  Where a setting limits the number of FEEE hours to, for example, 2 x 10-hour days p/week, a surplus of 2.35 hours p/week will accrue.  This would either be treated as an over claim and recovered, or managed by the provider as banked hours for use at other times.

To ensure children receive their full entitlement, please make sure that any banked hours are accurately recorded and used within the term they are claimed. This avoids the risk of settings having the grant recovered / make a refund to the parent if their child changes setting without using their banked hours.

To discuss further, please contact the Free Entitlement Team on 01270 685888.

Annual DfE Early Years Census of Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) Providers and Children

The annual DfE early years census of private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers and children takes place on Thursday 19 January 2023. The census collects data on all children taking up free provision during census week (week commencing 16 January 2023).

In addition to the spring term data already submitted for children taking up a free place, PVI providers are required to complete the Early Years Census form which can be found on the ‘Forms’ tab of the Provider Portal. The census form will be available from Monday 16 January.

Any PVI provider that has no funded children at the time of the census does not need to complete the form. Guidance notes for completing Section 3 of the form (numbers of staff and their qualifications) are available on our webpage.

A Privacy Notice for parents explaining how information about their child is used in early years providers is also available on our webpage. Please amend the form as appropriate and make your parents aware of the document.

The census form must be submitted by Friday 27 January 2023.

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements

Section 11 Safeguarding audit

Thank you to all those Providers who completed the section 11 safeguarding audit by the deadline in December.

For those who haven't yet completed it, please look out for a reminder email in your inbox this week.  School managed or governor run provision do not need to complete this audit as schools complete separate safeguarding audits. 

Ofsted and Department for Education

Ofsted Early Years blog

Don't forget to keep up to date with Ofsted's early years blog. You’ll be able to read about developments specifically in the early years sector here. Ofsted will use this platform to raise awareness and promote a better understanding of education and care in children’s early years.

UKHSA advice for education and childcare settings amid high levels of flu, COVID-19 and scarlet fever

As winter illnesses continue to circulate at high levels and pupils are returning to education, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a reminder on how to minimise the spread of illness in education and childcare settings.

UKHSA advice remains clear that children can continue to attend as normal unless they are unwell and have a high temperature. Further information on when a child is too ill for school or nursery is available. There is no requirement to be absent from school on a precautionary basis. School staff should continue to maintain their high expectations for face-to-face attendance.

For further information, please also see the DfE Education Hub post on the latest guidelines around COVID-19 and for Strep A, the separate post on the exact circumstances in which children should be kept off school.

UKHSA is providing regular updates on Strep A. Both UKHSA and DfE are continuing to closely monitor the situation.

Applications for CO2 monitors and air cleaning units for state-funded education settings

Good ventilation in education and childcare settings remains important, both for managing the airborne transmission of illnesses like COVID-19, flu and Strep A, as well as aiding concentration and alertness.

The DfE are currently providing additional CO2 monitors to settings to cover all teaching and childcare spaces, to help balance ventilation and manage energy costs.

Here are some setting types that are eligible for additional CO2 monitors but will not automatically receive a full allocation. If this applies to your setting, you will have been contacted via email asking you to complete an application form by Wednesday 18 January.

Settings that have been contacted include, but are not limited to:

• state-funded further education settings
• childminders operating in groups of 4 or more from domestic premises
• new schools built since 1 January 2022, which have not previously received monitors
• settings with new residential accommodation for students on Get Information About Schools (GIAS) this year
• childcare providers in non-domestic settings who operate in women’s refuges and military bases
• new open and secure children’s homes, which have not previously received monitors

Other eligible setting types will receive their CO2 monitors automatically, with no action needed.

The DfE will continue to accept applications for funded air cleaning units until Friday 10 February. These are for use in classrooms where it is not possible to maintain adequate ventilation and where CO2 levels are consistently over 1500ppm, as measured by CO2 monitors. Air cleaning units can help reduce airborne contaminants while remedial work is undertaken.

The DfE have produced detailed guides on how to apply and on how to use an air cleaning unit.

An update for education settings on the government’s new Energy Bills Discount Scheme

This week the government announced a new energy scheme from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, for eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This will cover public sector organisations, including education settings.

The current Energy Bill Relief Scheme comes to an end in March 2023. It supports businesses and public sector organisations by providing a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices. The new Energy Bills Discount Scheme strikes a balance between supporting businesses over the next 12 months and limiting taxpayer’s exposure to volatile energy markets.

As previously, eligible education settings do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support. Support will automatically be applied to bills by your supplier. If you think your supplier is not applying the discount correctly, you should contact them in the first instance.

Further information on the Energy Bills Discount Scheme is available.

Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III bank holiday

The Government has announced a one-off bank holiday on Monday 8 May 2023 to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

For early years providers, as with other bank holidays, it is at the discretion of individual settings whether they close or stay open. There would be no expectation for early years and childcare settings to remain open on the bank holiday.

Schools and further education providers are not expected to remain open, and it should be treated as any normal bank holiday.

The Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999 will be updated so teacher pay is not affected, and schools are not required to make up the hours of the additional bank holiday.

EYFS Learning and Development

Apply for support from the Department for Education Childminder Mentor programme

The Department for Education (DfE) is offering a programme of support for childminders across England, from May 2023 until July 2024. The Childminder mentor programme is focused on supporting childminders to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the youngest and most disadvantaged children.

By joining this programme, you will receive support from experienced early years practitioners who have at least three years' experience as a childminder or supporting childminders, in the roles of Area Lead and Mentor.

The support is free and available across England.

You will also have the opportunity to network with other childminders in your area who are part of the programme and also the Department for education, local authorities and other early years providers.

To be eligible to receive support from the DfE Childminder Mentor programme, childminders must currently be providing childcare to children aged between 0-5 (to at least one child).

If you are interested in receiving support, please see the link below and register by 17 February 2023.

Bookstart Star Packs

SEND

Cheshire East Chatters key message - Face to Face

This half term’s key message theme is all about being face-to-face with your child!

It seems so simple, but surprisingly does not happen as much as we might think.

Being face-to-face makes a big difference to children’s communication development.  It means that children:

• Know you are listening to them
• Can more effectively interact with you non-verbally
• Know your talk is directed at them, which supports their understanding
• Can see the movements your mouth is making for different speech sounds
• Can tune in to facial expressions, which supports understanding of emotions

Being face-to-face also helps adults:

• Notice all the non-verbal signals children use to communicate with you
• Increase awareness of what the child is interested in, and how they play
• See when children aren’t interested in communicating and need silence
• Lip read, which supports adults to understand unclear speech sounds

Have a look around your nursery and double check:

• Are staff down at the child’s level?
• Are they face to face when listening to and communicating with children?
• Is this consistent when indoors and outdoors?

Parenting Journey

Catch app available to Cheshire East families

Continuous Professional Development

Early Years Professional Development Programme places are now available for February 2023

The Early Years Professional Development Programme is now accepting applications for the latest phase of the training, beginning in February 2023.

The flexible study programme offers a high quality continuing professional development (CPD) programme across England and is facilitated through online self-study and regular facilitated webinars. The programme provides support for practitioners to:

• improve skills to support children’s communication and language development
• provide an understanding of the theory of child development in early mathematics
• develop skills to support children’s self-confidence, relationships, and self-awareness through expertly developed personal, social and emotional development training
• improve engagement with parents and carers to support the home learning environment

At the end of each module, practitioners will receive mentoring support from their programme trainer to discuss how they will implement and embed what they have learnt.

The training is designed for childminders and early years practitioners, qualified to Level 3 or above, who regularly work with disadvantaged children aged 2 to 4 (eligibility criteria applies).

To find more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the website. Early years practitioners should discuss with their line managers before applying.

National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

Are you interested in enhancing your leadership skills? The new, Department for Education-funded, National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) will help you develop the knowledge and skills to meet today’s challenges, effectively lead your team and manage your setting, and boost early years development to ensure every child has the best start in life.

The course is free, flexible and designed by sector experts to help professionals across the sector to develop their career.

The deadline to apply to start the free NPQEYL in February is fast approaching. Read the blog to find out how the NPQEYL can benefit you and apply today on GOV.UK.

Launching the Cheshire East Hub for Early Years   

This month we are launching our new training courses and consultations online shop – the Cheshire East Hub for Early Years – which is replacing the existing Early Years online shop. By the end of February 2023 every Cheshire East childcare provider will have received an invitation to register on the new shop. Training courses and consultations being delivered in January and February 2023 will be available to book on the current shop however training courses and consultations being delivered from 1^st March 2023 onwards will be available only on the new shop and so it is imperative that you complete the simple registration process as soon as possible in order to be able to book places on any sessions you are interested in.

Please keep a look out in your inbox for your invitation to sign up. Email us at earlyyearsandchildcareteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk if you have any queries, need any help with registering or do not receive your invitation to register by 28^th February 2023.

Spring Term Training

Please keep checking the Online Shop as new training and CPD opportunities for the Spring term are being advertised all the time covering a range of topics including Communication and Language, SEND, Safeguarding, 2 year old provision, Early Literacy, Behaviour, Emotional Wellbeing. Our January CPD offer includes:

New to the Role of the DSL, 20-Jan-23, 9.30am - 4pm - Oakenclough Children Centre

This 1 day training course includes safer recruitment and induction of new staff members; liaising with staff members and other agencies; recording of safeguarding information; escalation of concerns; online safety; allegations against staff and the role of the LADO and policy and procedure development.

Session 4 of our Leadership and Management Programme, 25-Jan-23 9.30-11.30am - Teams

During this session for PSED Champions Dr Julian Grenier will discuss embedding the 7 key features of effective practice, recognising the importance of PSE development, attachment and the role of the key person, self-regulation and the importance of leading by example.

Standing in the shoes of a two year old, 25^th Jan and 1^st Feb 23, 1.30-3.30pm or 6.30-8.30pm -Teams

This two part training is suitable for all practitioners who work with two year olds and will provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to work with this age group.  Session 1 ‘Getting to know me’ will cover attachments, supporting separations, keyperson and how I like to learn.  Session 2 ‘Building an environment that is right for me’, looks closely at the physical and emotional environment for twos.

WellComm, 26-Jan-23, 9.30am - 3pm - Oak Tree Children Centre, Crewe

During this full day session there will be opportunities to discuss communication and examine the rationale behind using WellComm to screen, track and monitor individual children. You will receive practical support on how to use and how to integrate WellComm activities into daily best practice within the setting and to discuss the practicalities of setting up targeted groups.

Understanding the EIF, 26-Jan-23, 3.30pm to 5.30pm - Teams

This two hour session will give an opportunity to consider Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework. The curriculum is discussed and consideration is given to how to integrate Intent, Implementation and Impact in to your setting. The Learning Walk is unpicked and Ofsted’s ‘Golden Thread’ is looked at in more detail and is made relatable to you and your provision.

Delivering Small Groups Language Interventions, 31-Jan-23, 9.30am-12pm – Teams

An opportunity to explore ways to set up small groups focussing on the development of attention and listening skills as well as language skills and vocabulary. You will also learn more about how to identify children for the groups as well as sharing thoughts and ideas around using a total communication approach to support children to engage with the activities.

To get more information or to book places on any of our courses, please log onto the Online Shop

Don't Forget!

FEEE – Afghan and Ukrainian children

Afghan and Ukrainian children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old living in Cheshire East are entitled to 15 hours early education irrespective of the immigration status of the child or their parent(s). To claim FEEE funding for children from Afghanistan or Ukraine, please add their details to the Provider Portal in the usual way. Should the Provider Portal be closed, please email the FEEE Team (FEEE@cheshireeast.gov.uk) who will update your funding claim.

In addition, please also complete the short form (link below), enabling the authority to monitor take-up of the free entitlement.  Please complete this form each time an Afghan or Ukrainian child starts or leaves your setting. If any Afghan or Ukrainian children currently attend your setting, please retrospectively complete this form and continue to use the form as you have any new starters or leavers.

https://forms.office.com/r/RN5KbkKrzL