|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the Early Years eNewsletter, bringing you the latest local and national early years sector news as well as information on training, funding and policy.
|
|
Early Years Conference - Don't forget to book!
Places are going fast for our ‘Talking Together’ virtual early language conference which will be held during the week beginning 15 November 2021. Book now via Step into Training here.
|
|
|
Starting School in Reception 2022
|
|
|
Please Remind Parents to Apply
Parents of children born between 01/09/2017 and 31/08/2018 must make an application for their child to start in Reception in September 2022 even if they attend the Nursery at the school.
We are attempting to reach as many parents as possible to ensure that applications for admission to school in September 2022 are made on time, and it would be very helpful if you could encourage parents and carers to make an on-time application in order to increase their chances of being offered a place at their preferred school.
The CLOSING DATE for on-time Primary School applications is Saturday 15th JANUARY 2022 and the Offer date for on-time applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022.
Parents can apply on-line at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/primaryadmissions or contact the school admissions team on 0345 241 2487 for a paper application form. The online booklet ‘Starting School’ is also available on the County Website.
|
|
Updated Education and Health Care Needs Assessment Bitesize CPD
The CPD Bitesize presentation regarding requesting an Education and Health Care Needs assessment has been updated to contain links to the associated SEND pages including how to apply for an assessment through the Children’s portal. You can view it here.
|
|
Oral Heath Accreditation Congratulations
In June to September 2021, several Oxfordshire EYFS settings took on the task of starting the Healthy Smiles Accreditation programme with training and support from the Oral Health Improvement team @ Community Dental Services and Oxfordshire County Council.
OHIMP Oxfordshire are so proud of the 13 settings who have completed the accreditation and are now officially Tooth Friendly Settings. We are very pleased with the extra effort and commitment demonstrated by each setting in the last few months. Each setting was required to evidence what good practice they were already demonstrating and provide evidence of any new initiatives, ideas or changes made. Not to mention how they are now ahead of the game now that oral health promotion has officially been added to the new EYFS framework and curriculum as of September 2021.
Congratulations go to ...
Hook Norton Pre-school Playgroup
Small Steps Nursery
Grovelands Park Pre-school
Peachcroft Pre-school
Brize Norton Village Preschool
Broadhill Pre-school
Great Tew Pre-school
Cholsey Pre-school
Charlbury Railway Children Nursery
Marcham Pre-school
Annabelle’s Day Nursery
The Kennington Playgroup
Longworth Pre-school
Promotion of oral health to our youngest learners and their families will help to narrow the gap of oral health inequality, reduce the levels of decay amongst these children and encourage early and regular dental visits. Prevention of oral diseases is key to good overall health, wellbeing, school readiness and development, and allows children to have the best start possible.
If you would like to know more about the accreditation programme and how your setting can join in January 2022 or to contact a member of the CDS Oral Health Improvement team please follow the link to our Oxfordshire Oral health page on our CDS website or contact us directly via this form; https://forms.office.com/r/tugtDv0qbc
|
|
Early Childhood Studies Open Day
Oxford Brookes will be holding an open day event for prospective students to visit their campuses, meet staff and learn more about our Early Childhood Studies course on Saturday 13th November, between 10am-4pm.
|
|
Can you offer a student placement?
Oxford Brookes have also informed us that their BA Hons Early Childhood Studies students have 3 placements throughout their course in the 0-7 age range. "Working with Children 1" is a first year placement module, "Working with Children 2" is a second year placement module and the final year placement module is "Reflective Practice". Throughout the course, students will be working towards developing the ECSDN graduate competencies and these placements allow them to translate theory into practice and to develop their pedagogy.
The placements are self-sourced but Oxford Brookes do provide students with a list of potential placement settings to get them started. If you are an Early Years Setting and would be interested in hosting these students, please contact education-schoolexperience@brookes.ac.uk and they can add you to the list of potential placement settings given to students.
|
|
Contacting Ofsted about Covid Cases
You must tell Ofsted if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at your nursery, childminder business or other day care. You should also tell them if you have to close your setting as a result.
Tell Ofsted if you have a COVID-19 incident at your childcare business - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
|
|
Collection
New collection pages on how to register with Ofsted and what you will need to tell us about.
Joining the Childcare Register and running the business - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
|
|
|
Safeguarding and Early Help
|
|
|
Domestic Violence
Statistics, derived from the annual Children in Need Census, provide data on children in England referred to children’s social care services, assessments carried out relating to those children and whether a child became the subject of a child protection plan. Concerns about domestic violence towards the parent remains the most common factor identified at the end of assessment.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021. The Act introduces the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse and recognises the impact of domestic abuse on children, as victims in their own right, if they see, hear or experience the effects of abuse. Types of domestic abuse include intimate partner violence, abuse by family members, teenage relationship abuse and child/adolescent to parent violence and abuse. Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of sexual identity, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background and domestic abuse can take place inside or outside of the home.
All children can witness and be adversely affected by domestic abuse in the context of their home life where domestic abuse occurs between family members. Experiencing domestic abuse and/or violence can have a serious, long lasting emotional and psychological impact on children. In some cases, a child may blame themselves for the abuse or may have had to leave the family home as a result.
If you have concerns that a child or young person may be at immediate risk of harm contact MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) 0345 050 7666 www.oscb.org.uk/reporting-concerns/
For non-immediate concerns contact LCSS Early Help and the Locality Community Support Service (LCSS) - Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (oscb.org.uk)
You can find out more about other services on the OSCB webpage on domestic abuse
Domestic Abuse - Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (oscb.org.uk)
Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which can be called free of charge and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Its website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones.
|
|
Online Safety
Social media is increasingly part of people's daily lives. The following guide covers many aspects to consider.
Social-Media-Guide-teachers-and-professionals.pdf (childnet.com)
|
|
Step into Training
To book a course please click on the course code to take you directly to the booking page for that event.
|
|
Network for ECT/NQT/Teachers new to EYFS working in schools
This session will focus on assessment within the revised framework. Where are your children now and where are you taking them next? Join our network to share ideas and practice with other teachers who are also new to working in the early years.
EY1147 9th December - 3:45pm to 4:45pm
|
|
Briefing
We will be running our Autumn briefing where Early Years practitioners across the sector can catch up with local and national updates, relevant termly information and actions, plus a learning focus. If you have purchased an Early Years standard or enhanced package for 2021-22 you will not be charged to attend this briefing.
EY1144 Monday 29 November 2021
|
|
Monthly Managers and Childminder meetings
EY1090 The November managers meeting is on 10 November 7-8pm.
EY1069 The Childminder meeting is on 22 November 7-8pm.
|
|
Oral Health Training
The 2021 EYFS states ‘The provider must promote the good health, including the oral health of children attending the setting.’
Oxfordshire Community Dental Services continues to work with Oxfordshire Early Years Team to promote great oral health for children. If you would like to join the free training on offer please book via Step into Training. Places are limited and FREE so please book now to avoid disappointment.
EY1133 Oral Health Training – Monday 29th November 7-8pm
|
|
SEND Training and Network dates for Autumn 2021
Area Networks
| South |
8 Nov |
3.30 – 5.00 pm |
| Central |
11 Nov |
3.30 – 5.00 pm |
| North |
18 November |
6.30 – 7.30 pm |
| West |
25 November |
3.30pm – 4.30pm |
Please note that SENCOs and childminders can book to attend any of the networks. We are trying to keep an area feel to the meetings but as they are all online we are happy for people to choose the date that suits them best. Please book via Step into Training.
|
|
Important information about joining instructions
We have received a number of last-minute requests for course joining instructions from delegates due to attend Step into Training courses and OSCB Early Years safeguarding webinars. In some cases, especially for weekend and evening sessions, we have been unable to respond to requests in time for delegates to join the virtual training.
Please consider the following in order to avoid this issue in future:
- Check that you have received the course joining instructions/meeting link 24-48 hours before the event
- Check your junk/spam folder to see if the joining instructions/meeting link have gone there rather than into your inbox
- Add StepintoTraining@Oxfordshire.gov.uk to your contacts to avoid the above
- If you line manage staff that are due to attend a course, check with them 24-48 hours before the event that they have received the course joining instructions/meeting link so that there is time to chase up and resend if necessary
|
|
Online course payments for childminders
For chargeable courses, please ensure that you have paid the course fee before the event. The joining instructions/meeting link will be sent once payment is received and shortly before the course date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
