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Nottingham City
Early Years Newsletter
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the Autumn edition of Nottingham City’s Early Years Newsletter, we are looking forward
to working with you over the next academic year.
As always there have been a few changes and some exciting developments in the world of Early
Years, this latest edition brings you some useful information and updates on existing programmes
and initiatives including our 2017 Early Years conference!
We hope you enjoy reading this edition and remember to let us know if you have anything you would
like us to feature in future issues.
We continue to value your honest feedback, please do this by emailing your comments to
Best wishes,
The Early Years Team
Nottingham City Council, 2nd
Floor Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG
www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/
30 hours update
Project Alice! EY Conference 2017 And lots more!
Inside this
issue
September 2016: Autumn Issue
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Ofsted have made some changes to important documents
1. Inspecting safeguarding in the early years, education and skills has been reviewed and updated
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inspecting-safeguarding-in-early-years-education-and-skills-
from-september-2015 This document needs to be read alongside the Common Inspection Framework (CIF)
and the ‘Early Years Inspection Handbook’ An overview of changes to the document can be found on the
Early Years website
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/news/ofsted-news-recent-changes-to-ofsted-documents/
2. Updated Form: Early years and childcare providers: EY3 changes to individual: The EY3 which is part of
the document 'Early years childcare: registering with Ofsted' was updated on 17th August 2016 and can be
found https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-and-childcare-providers-ey3-changes-to-
individuals
NEWS FROM OFSTED and STA
The Integrated Review at 2 years is designed to bring together the Healthy Child Programme
health and development review used by Health Visiting teams, and the statutory EYFS
Progress Check used by early years practitioners to assess children’s development at 24 to 36
months. The Integrated Review supports the early identification and effective intervention of
children’s developmental needs with parents fully engaged and informed.
In Nottingham, a core group of both Health and Early Years practitioners have worked
together to construct and consult on an Integrated Review Pathway for Nottingham. This
guidance is intended to support both Health Visiting teams and Early Years practitioners
understand their role within this pathway. This is not a completely new way of working – it
promotes and builds on what is agreed to be best practice currently happening across the
city.
STA announces: The EYFSP will remain statutory for the
2016 to 2017 academic year
The EYFSP was due to become non-statutory from September 2016. Having carefully
looked at the particular issues regarding the EYFSP and also in the context of the overall
changes to primary assessment, the STA have confirmed by email that the EYFSP will now
remain statutory for the 2016 to 2017 academic year. The STA have stated that this is to provide continuity
and stability for schools, pupils and parents whilst they take the time to review options for assessment in the
reception year beyond 2017. In the meantime, schools must continue to complete the EYFSP for their
reception-year pupils in the summer term, by 30 June 2017 and report the results to local authorities.
Information regarding moderation will be available in due course.
Integrated Review at 2 Years: Nottingham City Guidance
The practitioner core group will continue to meet periodically to review the
delivery of the Integrated Review Pathway across the city. If you would like to
join this group please contact [email protected] for
more information.
The Nottingham City Guidance to the Integrated Review at 2 can be found:
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/early-years/eyfs/integrated-
review/
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Work with the extended entitlement is certainly gathering momentum as you will have seen
from the regular updates in our weekly ‘Stay Connected’ emails. The key pieces of information
to update you on are as follows....
Results of the Parental Demand Survey
During June we undertook an extensive Parental Demand Survey with City parents about their
needs in relation to the extended entitlement. The key findings from this survey were:
� 35% of parents use friends and relatives to support their childcare arrangements
� 79% of parents use childcare for 15 hours a week or more at the moment
� 75% of these parents pay for additional hours on top of their current 15 hour a week
entitlement
� 87% of parents ‘definitely would’ or are ‘very likely’ to take up the extended entitlement
if they are eligible to do so
� The majority of parents would want to access their extended entitlement at one
childcare provider
As part of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment that was issued to all providers in July, we
asked about your intentions for delivery around the extended entitlement and when the
Assessment is fully analysed later this month we will be looking in detail at how the extended
entitlement can be offered across localities in the city to match what different providers can
offer with parents differing needs to ensure we have sufficient provision across the city.
Capital Programme
Despite incredibly short timescales issued by the DfE and the significant amount of information
required to submit an application for capital funding, thank you to the providers that did apply.
An Independent Grant Panel sat the first week in August and selected applications from
Carrington Private Day Nursery, Klever Kids Day Nursery and the University of Nottingham as
our strongest bids for the City to go forwards to the DfE. These bids have been submitted for
DfE scrutiny and assessment and an outcome will be known in December 2016.
Revisions to the Eligibility Checking System
We have received notification that the Eligibility Checking System (ECS) Change Team will be
adapting the ECS to accommodate the new types of checks for the extended entitlement. The
DfE is working with HMRC to create a joint application for the Extended Free Entitlement and
Tax Free Childcare (which will replace the childcare voucher schemes – more information
below) where parents will enter their information and find out if they are eligible. This will be
on gov.uk or via phone. Eligible parents will then receive a ‘voucher code’ that they can take to
a childcare provider. The provider checks the validity of the code, online or over the phone
with the LA, who will be able to validate the code using the ECS. Providers will offer the
additional free childcare subject to validation of an eligibility code presented by parents.
Parents must reconfirm their eligibility every 3 months and the LA will perform periodic audits
of the ongoing validity of codes. Trials will begin in the autumn ahead of phased national roll-
out of applications from February 2017 and we will keep you updated of local administration of
this new system.
Extended Entitlement (30 Hours) Update
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Getting the bigger picture on City SENCO’s
As part of our Early Innovator work around the 30 hours with the DfE, we are looking to obtain
a city wide overview of SENCO provision in the PVCI sector and would be grateful if you could
take a few minutes to complete this short questionnaire about the SENCO role in your setting -
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/senco_questionnaire . The survey will close on Friday 30th
September and the results will support the case study work we are undertaking with the DfE.
Thank you in advance for your help!
NDNA Workshops: 30 Hours: Survive and Thrive – 14th
and 15th
November – BOOK NOW!
We are pleased to be able to offer a half day workshop delivered by the NDNA for group based
provision in the city (day nurseries and pre-schools). The workshops will cover opportunities to
make the extended entitlement work for you, meeting the challenge of the increase to 30
hours and thrive on the opportunities it presents. The key learning will be fitting the free
entitlement around your business needs and putting together viable business models for all
funded children.
Places are free and limited to 1 delegate per setting, although we will be operating a reserve
list and bookings close on 2nd
November. For full details and to book on, please see;
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/funding/extended-entitlement-30-hour-
offer/new-30-hours-free-workshop/
Early Years Team support
Katherine Crossley, Project Officer, is the project lead within the team for the extended
entitlement and has recently been joined by Sue Crighton, EYFS Support Worker, who is
undertaking some additional duties around the extended entitlement on a temporary basis
until December 2017. Sue will still hold a small caseload of settings but her primary work is
around the extended entitlement. If you have any specific extended entitlement queries that
you can’t find the answer to on the Early Years Website, please email
[email protected] or [email protected]
Tax Free Childcare
Tax- Free Childcare is a Government scheme to help working parents with the cost of childcare
and it will be launched early 2017. To qualify, parents will have to be in work and each earning
at least £115 a week and not more than £100,000 per year. Parents will be able to open an
online account, which they can use to pay for childcare from a registered provider.
In September and October 2016, HMRC will be sending letters to regulated and approved
childcare providers across the UK asking you to sign up online for Tax-Free Childcare. As soon
as you receive your invitation you will be able to sign up online.
The current Childcare Voucher scheme will continue to run and will remain open to entrants
until April 2018.
Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-free-
childcare-top-things-childcare-providers-should-know .
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Paediatric First Aid requirements in the Statutory Framework of the
Early Years Foundation Stage.
This follows the Department for Education consultation on amendments to the PFA requirements of the EYFS
statutory framework between October and December 2015. The consultation report and the Government’s
response including next steps has now been published, see page 12 for link to the full report. Staff policies,
induction and professional development plans should be amended accordingly.
See our brand new brochure below for PFA dates – still competitively priced!
Workforce Development
A special Invitation for Project Alice!
We were bowled over at the feedback from practitioners following our 2016 Annual Conference, many about one
of our keynote speakers Alice Sharp …
‘Alice was amazing I would like to have the whole team inspired by her!’
‘Fantastic ideas and such an inspiring speaker in Alice Sharp’
Early Years Specialist Alice is MD of Experiential Play and owner of resource company
Wonderbox. She is a renowned, brilliant speaker and works with many local authorities and
departments across Britain addressing the imminent changes towards experiential learning
throughout nursery and primary schools.
Alice also travels the Globe sharing her ideas and practices so we are enormously pleased
to be able to work with her on a year-long learning environment project starting in
November 2016!
This is a unique opportunity to work alongside an incredibly inspiring early years specialist
to challenge your thinking and improve the quality of teaching and learning for all children.
Are you up for challenge? Check out our 2016 – 17 CPD Brochure about the year- long
project and how you can take part, but please be aware places are limited…so book yours now!
Please be aware that as of 1 September 2016 it will be a requirement of the Early
Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that newly qualified Early Years staff (with full and
relevant level 2 or level 3 childcare qualification) must hold a current Paediatric First
Aid (PFA) or emergency PFA certificate to be included in the adult: child ratios in an
Early Years setting. Childcare practitioners will be allowed a three month ‘grace’
period to complete PFA training after starting work with a new employer.
For all your training needs… look no further!
Our 2016 – 17 CPD brochures are packed full of new exciting courses
delivered by renowned Early Years Specialists.
Each course is tailored to the needs of the audience and covers various
areas of learning which is noted at the beginning of each section.
Our expert PFA and Food Safety providers will ensure you are meeting
legislative duties and as always our Safeguarding Children training courses
tailored for the PVCI sector and delivered by our very own Early Years team are available
throughout the year.
Please type or copy and paste this link into your browser
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/cpd-training/
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Keeping children active not only aids physical development it also stimulates the mind and promotes
all areas and characteristics of learning.
This years theme is about the importance of keeping children active, from role playing to creative
outdoor activities our speakers will ensure that practitioners leave the day enthused, excited and
ready to exercise their learning!
Featuring Keynote speakers:
The
Join us for our Early Years Annual Conference
Friday 10th
March 2017
Move it…Think it…Learn it!
An active mind for healthy learning
Neil Griffiths A former Headteacher and consultant Neil is the creator of
the internationally acclaimed storysack concept and has been Director of a
National Literacy Project in the U.K. He is currently a freelance speaker and has
worked extensively around the world. He has a passion for children’s literature
and is the author of 36 children’s picture books. Notorious for ‘bringing stories
to life’ Neil’s sessions are informative, highly practical and an experience to
remember!
Pete Moorhouse is passionate about encouraging creative thinking in Early
Years Education. He has over 25 years experience working with schools and works
regularly in Early Years settings as an artist in residence. He adores supporting
settings to create stimulating in and outdoor environments and his enthusiasm for
woodwork is wonderous! As an artist Pete is a professional sculptor with an
impressive portfolio of sculpture and public art commissions.
Alice Sharp renowned as a brilliant speaker and presenter is an Early
Years specialist, MD of Experiential Play and owner of resource company
Wonderbox. She currently works with many local authorities and
departments across Britain addressing the imminent changes towards
experiential learning throughout nursery and primary schools. She is the
author of three books and four DVDs and is invited to various parts of the
Globe to share her ideas and practice.
The day will be packed full of inspiring keynotes and stimulating seminars. As in previous years
we are holding the conference at the very popular Nottingham Conference Centre, a beautiful part listed
building in the heart of Nottingham City.
As our introduction describes all of our seminars not only promote the prime area of Physical
Development but also a wide variety of other prime and specific areas of learning as well as the
characteristics of learning.
The seminars will be demonstrating activities that can be set up indoors or out with very little space or
oceans of space! We guarantee they will all inspire and motivate you and your staff and
the children will adore them!
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Seminars
Helen Batteley: Let’s get Moving’
Delegates will see how dance and movement can make
strong links with all Prime and Specific Areas of learning
and extend the physical activity opportunities within the
setting.
Pete Moorhouse: Wondrous Woodwork!
Introducing Woodwork into Early Years
Woodwork provides a rich source of enjoyment as well as
learning, helping to develop children’s imagination and
creativity as well as practical skills. The impact is profound
and long term. Join Pete to explore the tools, gain the
confidence and share the experience of making fabulous
creations in wood! Alice Sharp: Gathering Games
Every child deserves the freedom to be as
boisterous, vigorous and inventive in their
environment as they can be. Encouraging young
children to become aware of their physical self
and how they move is an important part of early
years.
The delegate fee includes Three fantastic speakers, a choice of two seminars, a prize draw,
refreshments throughout the day, a 2 course lunch at the venue’s Old Library… and lots more!
Delegate Fees:
Schools and Settings outside Nottingham City £250
Nottingham City Schools and Academies £195
Nottingham City Nurseries, Pre-Schools, Childminders, Foster Carers and NCC Colleagues £95
Reserve your conference place online www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears
Reserve your seminars https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Seminars17
Ben Kingston-Hughes: Stories in Motion
(Kinetic narratives for young children)
This will show how to inspire movement through
interactive stories. It looks at the importance of creating
and supporting opportunities for imaginative movement
and how we can use children’s innate inventiveness to
create immersive and active stories in our settings.
Ellen Smith: Scrap Attack!
An interactive session of den building and
imagination.
Participants will benefit from scenarios to transport and
transform their settings into creative and fun filled play
spaces where children can be active.
Mandy Tulloch: Mud, Mud Glorious Mud!
Looking for a wonderfully open-ended way to support
numeracy, literacy, communication, imagination, health and
wellbeing and lots more besides? You need a mud kitchen!
Come and discover how easy it is to create one and the many
ways it can support your children and setting. Join Mandy and
make some of the most delicious mud pies around (yes
indoors) – all for under a tenner!
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Move More, Sit Less, Play Together!
The importance of physical activity is high on the Early Years agenda!
It is the theme of our 2017 Early Years Conference.’ Move it, Think It, Learn it! ‘ It has been highlighted
in recent Ofsted inspection reports and the Department of Health has just published an infographic
poster promoting the importance of physical activity in under five year olds!
www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2016/07/Children-under-5-infographic-FINAL.pdf
UK Chief Medical Officers advise that children in the Early Years age
group should have at least 3 hours across each day where they are
physically active; current figures show that only 10% of children aged
between 2 years and 4 years met these recommendations.
This poster is based on Chief Medical Officer guidelines in the
www.gov.uk/government/publications and can help Early Years
practitioners support parents and carers to appreciate the importance
and benefits of physical activity for young children.
Physical activity can help to improve a child’s sleep, general health and
fitness, self-confidence and support Personal Social and Emotional
Development by encouraging social skills. It also helps to set healthy
habits; research shows regular exercise in childhood increases the odds of
staying physically active and healthy during adulthood. Physical activity
isn’t just running and jumping but includes, walking, crawling, messy play,
role or object play and can be done inside or outside.
The British Heart Foundation www.bhfactive.org.uk/beststart/index.html
confirms not just the importance of physical activity but of the
environment and education too; they have online working with parents
information that includes www.bhfactive.org.uk/early-years-resources-
and-publications/index.html to support early years practitioners in
promoting physical activity. The resources give practical ideas and
information to help increase physical activity levels in early year’s settings.
Ofsted’s thoughts..
Ofsted Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw in his July 2016 report
‘ Unknown children – destined for disadvantage?’
Stated:
“If we get the early years right, we pave the way for a lifetime of
achievement. If we get them wrong, we miss a unique opportunity
to shape a child’s future.”
“Early education has the potential to drive social mobility and
improve outcomes for the next generation”.
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Physical Activities- Ofsted Recommendations
Recent Ofsted inspection reports highlight the importance of physical activity, especially outdoor play and
exploration. It may be helpful to consider trends from recent Ofsted reports when planning opportunities
for physical activities:
• Allow children more opportunities to make suggestions and adapt adult-led activities, especially
outdoors, to increase their motivation and engagement.
• Enhance the use of the outdoors so that children have rich opportunities, over longer daily periods,
to investigate and experience the natural world, such as through growing plants, learning how the
weather changes, or choosing how and when to take their play outside.
• Enrich the opportunities outdoors to enhance children's already excellent mathematical and
problem-solving skills, by providing resources such as drain pipes for them to experiment with and
explore.
• Increase the range of toys and activities outside to enable children to explore and investigate
independently.
• Increase resources and enhance experiences outside to offer children more choice and to extend
further their own development in all seven areas of learning.
• Provide children with opportunities to make decisions for themselves about when they want to play
and learn outside.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure staff and children are not exposed to risks, with particular regard
to the outdoor surfaces.
Observation and risk assessments Observing and risk assessing the outdoor environment is an important part of keeping children safe and
allowing them to learn to take risks in a safe environment.
The manufacturers age guidance, fitting and installation instructions for all play equipment should always be
followed and equipment should be regularly checked and maintained.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has useful information about 5 steps to risk assessment
• Identifying hazards deciding who might be harmed and how
• Evaluating risks and deciding on precautions
• Recording significant findings, review and update your assessments as required
Effective hands on supervision can prevent accidents but can also promote responsive, positive learning
experiences. Points to consider include:
• Closely monitoring children when carrying out activities that may involve some risk, such as playing
near water, near doorways, or during transition times when children may gather in larger groups.
• Observing play and anticipating what may happen next and have the opportunity to assist children
and intervene in the event of potential danger.
• Assess supervision practices on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to promote safety and to
meet the needs of the current cohort of children enrolled in the setting.
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The ISG Panel met at the end of the summer term to allocate funding for children from 27th
July 2016 – 2nd
January 2017. Only emergency applications for children with the highest level of need, and where the child
was unknown to the setting at the July 2016 deadline, will now be considered by the ISG Panel for funding
for this period.
If you wish to make an ISG application, please ensure that you have read all the supporting documentation
before following the Application Process. All the latest information and application paperwork can be
found at www.mynottingham.gov.uk/earlyyears/index.aspx?articleid=20158 .
Applications for the Spring Term (3rd
January – 31st
March 2017) which also covers the February Half Term
Break must be submitted by Friday 2nd
December 2016. Please ensure this date is in your diary, especially
if you currently have children supported with ISG.
As you will know, Jean Staples, Early Years Support Officer, retired at the end of July, so please ensure that
any ISG related queries or completed applications are emailed to [email protected].
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/541394/Unknown_child
ren_destined_for_disadvantage.pdf
A report to evaluate the effectiveness of local authorities and early years providers in tackling the issues
facing disadvantaged families and their young children. The report talks about making sure that Early Years
settings can account for their pupil premium spending, and there are some examples of what good settings
are doing.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reducing-teacher-workload-marking-policy-review-group-
report
A report about eliminating unnecessary workload for teachers regarding marking.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/511257/Eliminating-
unnecessary-workload-around-planning-and-teaching-resources.pdf
A report about eliminating unnecessary workload for teachers regarding lesson planning.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reducing-teacher-workload-data-management-review-
group-report
A report about eliminating unnecessary workload for teachers when managing data.
Useful Information
Update on Inclusion Support Grant Funding (PVCI Sector only)
The autumn term is funded for 14 weeks x 15 hours attendance per eligible child (maximum), as of
1st
September – 31st
December 2016
Estimate Payment date at some point during week beginning – 22/08/2016
NB Providers must be aware that the funding payment is Government funding. Therefore should the
‘actual’ place take up be less than the ‘estimated’ place take up, an invoice will be raised to recover the
difference.
Portal open date: 01/09/2016 Portal lock date: 30/09/2016
Balance Payment date: at some point during week beginning - 05/12/2016
EY Funding Autumn Term 2016 (PVI sector only)
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Socket Inserts Safety Alert
In certain circumstances, the use of plastic 13A electrical
socket inserts (sold as safety accessories), can overcome
the safety features designed into socket outlets.
Please read the latest publication from the Health Facilities
Scotland regarding
www.hfs.scot.nhs.uk/services/incident-reporting-and-investigation-centre-iric/estates-and-facilities-alerts/
Have you tried Playworks Scrapstore? It’s well worth a visit!
New Early Years Website
We hope you have had chance to check out our new website which went live at the end
of August. You may find it easier to access the site by typing in or copying and pasting the
following link: http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/ into your browser. The new site
should be easier to navigate but please bear with us while we ‘iron out’ any problems we
may encounter.
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Contact Us…
Early Years Team,
Nottingham City Council, Loxley House,
Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/earlyyears/
Publications
Calls for Evidence/Government Publications
Response to amendments to the
PFA requirements of the EYFS Statutory Framework www.gov.uk/government/consultations/paediatric-first-aid-eyfs-
statutory-framework-amendments
The House of Commons has published the document
‘Entitlement to Free Early Years Education and Childcare’ www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmpubacc/224/224.pdf
Early years funding: changes to funding for 3 and 4 year olds
Overview The DfE are seeking views on changes to how they fund free
childcare and early education for 3 and 4 year olds including
a new national funding formula.
Why they are consulting They are consulting on proposals to change the way they fund free childcare and early years education.
The proposals include:
• introducing a new early years national funding formula for 3 and 4 year olds;
• changing the way local authorities fund the early years providers in their area; and
• making sure that children with special educational needs or disabilities attract the extra funding
they need.
The consultation ends on 22nd
September 2016, to have your say go to:
https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/eynff
