news round-up may 2018 there may be a delay of up to 6/12 weeks initially if the claimant has only...
TRANSCRIPT
Produced by: Early Years Service
[email protected] | 01223 699880 / 01223 714739
Issue 39 – May 2018
NATIONAL NEWS
DFE announces boost in support for children with additional needs New measures to boost support for children and young people with additional needs were announced by the Department for Education on 10 May, setting out the next steps in the government’s drive to give every child the tools to fulfil their potential. The Department for Education has also confirmed three new contracts to boost support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families, to build on the progress being made to tackle inequalities in the education system that will ensure Britain is a country that works for everyone. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-in-support-for-children-with-additional-needs.
First UK Montessori degree to launch The University of East London, partnering with the Maria Montessori Institute, has launched the UK’s first full degree in Montessori Education. The BA (Hons) Montessori Pedagogy Foundation course will launch in September 2018 at UEL’s Cass School of Education, Communities and Social Sciences. Source: https://www.uel.ac.uk/news/2018/05/uel-first-uk-montessori-degree
30 hours free childcare offer risks impacting quality of early years education The National Association of Head Teachers has published a new report on 30 hours provision in schools. The report outlines the majority of early years providers are delivering the government’s 30 hours' free childcare offer, but they are struggling to do so because of a lack of funding. Source: https://www.naht.org.uk/news-and-opinion/news/leadership-news/30-hours-free-childcare-offer-risks-impacting-quality-of-early-years-education/.
MPs launch inquiry into impact of early years on later success An inquiry has been launched by Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the Education Committee, to understand the impact that early years education and social policy have on determining a child’s life chances. The inquiry will also explore the prevention and early intervention support which is available to parents and families to help deliver better outcomes for their children, and the importance of communication skills and language development. The Education Committee inquiry invites written evidence from individuals and organisations, which can be submitted until 1 June 2018 here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/education-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/life-chances-inquiry-17-19/commons-written-submission-form/.
Early years and childcare
news round-up
Issue 22 November 2015
Produced by: Early Years Service
[email protected] | 01223 699880 / 01223 714739
The Committee welcome evidence on the following:
The role of quality early years education in determining life chances and promoting social justice;
The importance of support available for parents and families, as well as integration with other services, in prevention and early intervention; and
The importance of communication skills and language development. Source: https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1164364/halfon-launches-inquiry-into-impact-of-early-years-on-later-success
LOCAL NEWS Changes to Free early education for two year olds for families on or going on to Universal Credit as from 1 April 2018 As from 1 April 2018, the new Income Threshold will be:
Free early education for two year olds (Funded Twos) earnings threshold will be £15,400 net
(take home pay).
The change makes more low income working families entitled. To assess families income threshold levels are no more than £15,400 net (take home pay) for Free early education for two year olds (Funded Twos) The new income levels will be assessed over a 3 month period. So there may be a delay of up to 6/12 weeks initially if the claimant has only just applied for UC. Please can we ask you all to encourage all parents of two-year-olds to apply for Free early education for two year olds (Funded Twos).
See pages 6-11.
GDPR is almost here… are you ready? Resources and FAQs now on Learn Together! Coming into effect on 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a major new piece of legislation requiring anyone handling other people’s personal data to review how they do it. The GDPR will replace the Data Protection Acts. Did you know that there are many useful resources available for you on Learn Together website? We have pulled together Frequently Asked Questions, on our Support for Childcare Business and Governance page on the Learn Together website. You can access the range of resources and support documents here under heading ‘GDPR’: https://www.cambslearntogether.co.uk/early-years/business-support/support-for-childcare-business-and-governance/. Many other organisations supporting early years and childcare providers have also gathered useful guidance on GDPR, which can be found here PLA: https://www.pre-school.org.uk/preparing-your-early-years-setting-gdpr PACEY: https://www.pacey.org.uk/shop/business-products/gdpr/
Produced by: Early Years Service
[email protected] | 01223 699880 / 01223 714739
Update on Ethnicity Data requirement for GDPR Ethnicity is a mandatory data item within the EY census and should be collected for all children. The childcare provider must not ascribe any ethnicity to the child. This information must come from the parent/guardian. Where the ethnicity has not yet been collected this is recorded as NOBT (Information not yet obtained). If a parent has refused to provide ethnicity, REFU (refused) is recorded and returned.
There are no plans to drop the data item from the 2019 census.
The EY census data collection guide contains details of the relevant legislation that provide lawful basis for collection. For example , the individual level data collection from EY providers (i.e under Early Years Census) is a statutory requirement on providers and LA’s through regulations under Sec 99 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the Education (provision of information about young children) (England) regulations 2009 as amended.
More information on GDPR can be found on Learn Together website, please see link in previous article.
Hoaxes and threats aimed at schools and settings We are aware that there have been a number of recent hoax threats made against schools, largely through mass e-mails. We will not be sharing this information unless directed to do so by the police or emergency planning team. If we are informed of a direct threat to settings or a threat to a particular area we will again, act on police intelligence and as required advise providers directly.
For providers based on school sites, we would reiterate that it is the school’s responsibility to make you aware in these circumstances, and to ensure you are fully engaged in any plans or action taken on site. We would urge you to speak directly to the school if you are not confident this is already in place or you have issues or concerns.
LSCB workshops offer latest safeguarding insights Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Safeguarding Children’s Board are offering local workshops around the county to feed back on the latest learning from a variety of reviews. For your nearest workshop, see the flyer on page 16.
New RSPB Project aims to encourage families to enjoy nature Wild Challenge is a FREE award scheme from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) that anyone can take part in that prompts children to connect with, and learn about, nature through a series of fun and engaging activities. All of the activities are directly relevant to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
To find out more about how Wild Challenge works and the range of activities available: www.rspb.org/wildchallenge for Families www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-teachers/schools-wild-challenge/ for Schools
Produced by: Early Years Service
[email protected] | 01223 699880 / 01223 714739
Is your setting be interested in participating in the Wild Challenge? Try TWO of the activities before the end of June and you could be part of a wider project to gather feedback on the Wild Challenge. Contact us at [email protected] to find out more!
Early Years and Childcare Training Centre Update Currently recruiting… for Level 2, 3 and 4 Early Years qualifications for practitioners working in the early years
sector For more information, click on https://www.cambslearntogether.co.uk/early-years/workforce-development/early-years-and-childcare-training-centre/
See page 13.
Open Days… We have three twilight sessions in March, Ely and Cambridge for new people
considering early years qualifications. Explore and discuss career progression and professional development to suit your training needs. Call 01223 706349 to book a consultation slot
See the attached flyer. More information: https://www.cambslearntogether.co.uk/early-years/conferences-and-events/qualifications-open-day/.
See page 14.
Level 3 Diploma is enrolling in Littleport… We have a rolling L3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (EYE) in Littleport on Tuesday evenings.
The next induction for this course is on 22 May 2018.
Interested? Click on https://www.cambslearntogether.co.uk/early-years/workforce-development/early-years-and-childcare-training-centre/ or contact [email protected] for an application form. Please read the entry requirements to ensure you meet the qualification specification.
See page 12.
Get the facts – make the right career choice Anyone considering childcare as a career needs to understand the sector and be equipped to enter
the workforce. Our Gateway to Childcare courses tell you what you need to know in an
accessible way. If you have volunteers considering Childcare as a career, or work with young people considering working in childcare, we are here to help. Email us at [email protected] or call 01223 706349 to discuss your needs.
Making qualifications more affordable… If you meet our funding criteria, qualifications training with the Early Years and Childcare Training Centre is extremely cost-effective and recognised as high quality. The maximum cost of the course for learners (or their setting) who meet our funding criteria is currently £175. Contact us for further details at [email protected]
See page 15
Produced by: Early Years Service
[email protected] | 01223 699880 / 01223 714739
We also have limited qualifications funding available towards Level 3 early years and playwork
courses, and early years degree courses, provided by external training providers. If you work in
a private or voluntary early years or playwork setting, you may be eligible. For further information email us, putting ‘Qualifications funding’ as your subject at [email protected]
Supporting Graduate Leaders… Graduate Leader Programme funding is available for private and voluntary settings employing an Early Years Professional/Early Years Teacher (EYP/EYT). The aim is to improve the standards through the delivery of high quality childcare. Settings must meet the Graduate Leader Programme criteria, employing an EYP/EYT who is leading practice on a face-to-face basis in the setting. For further information email us putting ‘Graduate Leader Programme’ as your subject header, at [email protected]
Training course surveys – they’re vital! We will shortly be sending out online surveys to people who have attended selected training sessions throughout this academic year. Your feedback is vital to ensure to ensure that we are meeting your training needs. Our courses are subsidised, and we need to evidence the impact of our training to justify the reduced cost. The online survey enables us to identify the impact that the training course has had on your practice, and any changes that you may have made within your provision. It should take a maximum of ten minutes of your time, please complete the survey if you receive one. We welcome feedback from yourselves throughout the year, please send to [email protected]
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
What are the changes being made?
Following a recent consultation by the Department for Education (DfE),a new income threshold for families receiving or going onto Universal Credit (UC).
From 1st April 2018, the new Income Threshold will be £15,400 net (take home pay). This change means more low-income working families will be entitled.
What does this mean for existing families?
All children who have received a Funded Twos code will continue to benefit from the free
early education entitlement for two year olds until they become eligible for the universal
three and four year old entitlement, even if their family circumstances change. Therefore,
two year olds will not lose their entitlement once they have taken it up, and no child who
starts their entitlement will lose it because of the introduction of the new earnings threshold.
A child who then starts their universal three and four year old entitlement, will have their
parents details reassessed to see if they qualify for the additional EYPP funding.
How do these changes affect families who have not yet been transferred
onto UC?
Families who are in receipt of existing benefits but have not yet been transferred onto UC,
will continue to qualify under the current criteria. A full list of the eligibility criteria is provided
below.
How will the Education Welfare Benefit (EWB) Service check eligibility?
The EWB Service will continue to use the Eligibility Checking System to carry out eligibility checks. This system has been updated to reflect the new income threshold, giving additional information. For example, it will inform us if the data we have entered is not matching the data HMRC hold for the parent. We may, therefore, need to recheck the data we hold for the parent, or ask for paper evidence of their Income to carry out further checks for the income levels.
With this additional process there may be more parents bringing in paper evidence or screen shots of their UC earning statement to the early years setting, which will need to be copied, scanned and send to [email protected].
Changes to Free early education for two year olds
(Funded Twos) for families on or going on to Universal Credit
as from 1st April 2018
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
(Please use the generic email address, rather than individual staff members so emails can be actioned accordingly, as the generic email is always monitored). Individual email accounts can’t be access on the staff member’s non-working day. Any parents who have any queries regarding the changes or the claim process should contact the Education Welfare Benefit Team by either email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01223 703200 Further information is also available on our website at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/free2s
What other eligibility criteria is there for those families who are not yet receiving UC? The Economic eligibility criteria for families who have not yet been transferred onto UC, which will be phased out by 2022, are;
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an
annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit provided your annual income is no more than £16,190
Other economic criteria for Funded Twos which are not affected by the UC implementation are;
Part 6 of Immigration and Asylum ACT 1999 and the
Guarantee element of state pension credit
Other non-economic qualifying criteria for Funded Twos not affected by the UC implementation are;
is looked after by the local authority
has left care through special guardianship or through an adoption or residence
order
is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
has a current statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Education,
Health and Care (EHC) plan
Next Stage The EWB Service will recheck all previous rejected claims to assess whether any new families are now entitled under the new eligibility criteria from April 2018.
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
Website, information to children centres and partner organisations and application forms will be updated to reflect the new eligibility criteria.
Please contact EWB team if you have any questions about the new eligibility criteria for Funded 2s
01223 703200 or [email protected]
March 2018
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
What are the changes being made? Following a recent consultation by the Department for Education (DfE), there will be a new income threshold for families receiving or going onto Universal Credit (UC). From 1st April 2018, the new Income Threshold will be £7,400 net (take home pay).
This change means more low-income working families will be entitled.
During the roll out period of UC across the Country, (until March 2022), the DfE have implemented a Transitional Protection for children currently in receipt of EYPP.
What does Transitional Protection mean?
The transitional protections will ensure that existing recipients of EYPP will NOT lose their entitlement following the introduction of the new eligibility criteria.
A Child who starts their universal three and four year old entitlement, from April 2018
(Summer term) will have their parents details assessed to see if they qualify for the
additional EYPP funding.
Any Child that is receiving EYPP as at 1st April 18 will continue to receive that funding
via the setting, until the end of their universal three and four year old entitlement. I.e.
not reassessed in August for the following year.
All Children entitled to EYPP will receive it until the end of their universal three and four
year old entitlement of early education.
How do these changes affect families who have not yet been transferred
onto UC?
Families who are in receipt of existing benefits but have not yet been transferred onto UC,
will continue to qualify under the current criteria. A full list of the eligibility criteria is provided
below.
Changes to Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) for families on or going on to Universal
Credit as from 1st April 2018
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
How will the Education Welfare Benefit (EWB) Service check eligibility?
The EWB / EYF Services will continue to use the Eligibility Checking System to carry out eligibility checks. This system has been updated to reflect the new income threshold, giving additional information. For example, it will inform us if the data we have entered is not matching the data HMRC hold for the parent. We may, therefore, need to recheck the data we hold for the parent, or ask for paper evidence of their Income to carry out further checks for the income levels.
We may ask the early years setting to check the details, that was submitted via the education portal, with the parents or we will write to the parent if they applied via our online form. With this additional process there may be more parents bringing in paper evidence or screen shots of their UC earning statement which will need to be scanned and send to [email protected].
(Please use the generic email address, rather than individual staff members so emails can be actioned accordingly, as the generic email is always monitored). Individual email accounts can’t be access on the staff member’s non-working day.
Any parents who have any queries regarding the changes or the claim process should contact the Education Welfare Benefit Team by either email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01223 703200
Further information is also available on our website at www.cambridgehire.gov.uk/eypp
What other eligibility criteria is there for those families who are not yet receiving UC?
The Economic eligibility criteria for families who have not yet been transferred onto UC, which will be phased out by 2022, are;
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an
annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working
Tax Credit
Other economic criteria for EYPP which are not affected by the UC implementation are;
Part 6 of Immigration and Asylum ACT 1999 and the
Guarantee element of state pension credit
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
Other non-economic qualifying criteria for EYPP not affected by the UC implementation are;
is looked after by the local authority
has left care through special guardianship or through an adoption or residence
order
is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Next Stage
EWB / EYF teams will be rechecking all previous rejected or ended claims (since Sept 2016), using the information that was submitted via the Provider Portal of parent / carer details, to assess whether any new families are now entitled under the new eligibility criteria from April 2018.
The Portal, Website and Funding Agreement forms and information sheets, will also be updated to reflect the new eligibility criteria.
Please contact EWB team if you have any questions about the new eligibility criteria for EYPP.
01223 703200 or [email protected]
March 2018
Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
New Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) course in Ely area
The Early Years Training Centre are happy to announce that they are starting up a Level 3 Diploma
for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) [QCF] qualification at the new Littleport
Leisure Centre (CB6 1EW).
This unique opportunity will offer training sessions which will delivered over three school terms
(*from the start date) on Tuesday evenings, 7pm to 9.30pm, term-time only.
The next induction dates are as follows.
When? Induction 2: 22 May 2018 at 6pm to 7.30pm then
Enrolment 2: 5 June 2018 at 7pm to 9.30pm
Induction 3: 4 September 2018 at 6pm to 7.30pm then
Enrolment 3: 11 September 2018 at 7pm to 9.30pm
Induction 4: 18 December 2018 at 6pm to 7.30pm then
Enrolment 4: 8 January 2019 at 7pm to 9.30pm *3 school term times from the initial start date
Learners must attend both the induction and enrolment when they wish to start their qualification.
Apply now! To apply contact the Early Years Workforce Development Team:
01223 706349
Ely inconvenient for you?
The Early Years Training Centre offers courses in various venues in Cambridgeshire. Contact us to add your name to the waiting list and we will inform you when the next location is available.
Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
Early Years Workforce Development Team Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce
(Early Years Educator) (QCF)
Audience: This course is for practitioners currently working in early years education and care for a minimum of 12 hours a week. Funding is currently available for learners who work in the private, voluntary sector.
What does the course involve? As a learner you will attend weekly training sessions and undertake set tasks for homework
which you will upload to your e-portfolio.
To undertake the qualification you must have achieved GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 or
above, or level 2 Functional Skills equivalencies. If you do not have this, please contact us and
we may be able to help.
You will need to demonstrate competency with children aged 0-5 years. If you do not have
experience working across all age ranges, you may be required to carry out a visit to complete
an observation task at a relevant setting to prove your competence.
Learners are required to attend training delivery and attendance must be a minimum of 80%
What will I learn? The course is structured around four themes:
Children’s Health and well-being
Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
relating to Early Years
Play, development and learning for school readiness
Professional development
Please note
“The whole course has given me
new learning and skills. It’s given me the confidence to lead activities in setting, input into our planning and
ideas for new activities.” - Heather Adam, learner
For Level 3 Early Years Educators to be counted in ratio as L3 they will need to have achieved Maths and English, in addition hold a current 12 hour Pediatric First Aid Certificate
How do I find out more? For further information contact the Early Years Workforce Development Team:
01223 706349 [email protected]
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/eyc Chief Executive Gillian Beasley
Are you planning for staff development for September 2018?
Early Years and Childcare Training Centre invites you to twilight information evenings
This will be an informal opportunity to provide you with information on career progression, which will include:
Exploring qualifications available from Level 2 through todegree level
Discuss career opportunities for yourself or your team
Answer and discuss questions on career progression
Access information on qualifications to suit yourdevelopment needs.
Book a consultation appointment to speak personally toone of our team about your personal development andexplore further training
When and where?
Date Time Venue Tuesday 5 June 3.30 pm – 6.30 pm Meadows Community
Centre, St Catherine’s Road, Cambridge CB4 3XJ
Thursday 7 June 4 pm – 8 pm Larkfield Day Centre & Ely Community Centre, High Barns, Ely CB7 4SB
Monday 11 June 4 pm – 8 pm St Wendreda’s Church Hall, Wimblington Road, March PE15 9PY
More information on qualifications Visit Learn Together website at https://www.cambslearntogether.co.uk/early-years/workforce-development/early-years-and-childcare-training-centre/.
Book now! To book your 1-1 consultation call 01223 706349
The RSPB are looking for Early Years settings, and families with children under 6, to have a go at our
Wild Challenge activities and help us to make them even better for the younger age group. You
and your children can get closer to nature, all year round – and you can help your local wildlife too.
Wild Challenge is a FREE award scheme that anyone can take part in, that prompts children to connect with, and learn about, nature through a series of fun and engaging activities. The activities are directly relevant to the Early Years Framework. Follow these links to find out more about how Wild Challenge works and the range of activities available:
Wild Challenge for Schools - www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-teachers/schools-wild-challenge/ Wild Challenge for Families - www.rspb.org/wildchallenge
You will need to spend just a few minutes setting up an on-line account and then you are ready to go. We would like settings and families to try at least two of the activities by the end of June and will contact you in July for your feedback, with a simple e-survey that will only take a few minutes of your time to complete.
One of our key priorities as a charity is to find ways of connecting younger children with nature. To make sure that our Wild Challenge activities are meeting the needs of the under 6’s it is vital that we have feedback from Early Years professionals and parents, to help us improve and develop our work in this area.
Please contact me directly if you would be interested in taking part, so that I can take a note of your details. We would love to work with you.
Emily Wallace, Early Years Project Officer, RSPB
rspb.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter @RSPB_Learning
LSCB Workshops Lessons learned and findings from the latest LSCB:- Serious Case
Reviews, Multi-Agency Review, Early Help and Thresholds Audits
This two hour workshop will focus upon the findings from the latest local Serious Case Reviews, Multi-
Agency Review (focused on Child Sexual Exploitation) and recent Multi-Agency Audits on Early Help
Assessments, Thresholds and Section 11 returns.
Aimed at front line practitioners from statutory and non-statutory safeguarding agencies. Exploring
how we can put the ‘learning’ back into front line practice to ensure the safety of the children, young
people and families that we work with.
Guest speakers will include:
Members of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LSCB
Date Venue Time
26.06.18 Ely Diocese 10.30-12.30
04.07.18 Buttsgrove Community Centre, Huntingdon 10.30-12.30
09.07.18 Recreation Hall Doddington 10.30-12.30
10.07.18 Meadows, Cambridge 10.00-12.00
18.07.18 Peterborough Education Meeting Room Centre 14.00-16.00
To book visit: http://www.safeguardingpeterborough.org.uk/availabletraining/ For further information email: [email protected]
These Sessions are FREE to all practitioners