Essex County Council by Centremark Design Ltd

Edition 10: Spring 2011

Early Years and Childcare News

Useful Contacts for Early Years and Childcare in Essex

Business Support & Funding Information for Registered Childcare Providers Alan Haylock, Business Support Manager Tel: 01245 438527 Email: alan.haylock@essex.gov.uk Caroline Piggott, Business Support Manager Tel: 01245 438514 Email: caroline.piggott@essex.gov.uk Lisa Wilson, Early Years and Childcare Funding Manager Tel: 01245 438532 Email: lisa.wilson2@essex.gov.uk Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centres and Childcare Capacity Diane Macefield, Area Manager Tel: 01245 438515 Email: diane.macefield@essex.gov.uk Sally Real, Area Manager Tel: 01245 438514 Email: sally.real@essex.gov.uk Family Information Service Tel: 0800 055 6874 Email: fis@essex.gov.uk Website: www.childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk Early Years and Childcare Recruitment Team Tel: 01245 438550 E-mail: workingwithchildren@essex.gov.uk Website: www.essex-eyjobs.co.uk Early Years & Childcare News Stephanie Brewington, Communications Officer Tel: 01245 438543 Email: stephanie.brewington@essex.gov.uk Free Early Years Education Entitlement Terry Hollingsworth, Free Entitlement Funding Manager Tel: 01245 438553 Email: terry.hollingsworth@essex.gov.uk

Training - Guidance and Funding Undergraduate (Level 2-5 qualifications) Undergraduate Training Adviser Tel: 01245 438534 Email: ey-uga@essex.gov.uk

Workforce Funding Assistant Tel: 01245 438535 Email: ey-uga@essex.gov.uk Training - Guidance and Funding Graduate & Early Years Professional Status Graduate Training Adviser Tel: 01245 438603 Email: ey-gta@essex.gov.uk Workforce Funding Assistant Tel: 01245 438552 Email: ey-gta@essex.gov.uk Partner Contact Details All Early Years and Childcare Partners listed below are based at County Hall (address details as opposite). Pre-school (including baby and toddler) Information and Support Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA) Tel: 01245 438563 Email: office@essexpsla.com National website: www.pre-school.org.uk Full Daycare Information and Development National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Jane Schofield, Development Officer Email: jane.schofield@ndna.org.uk Tel: 07786 731413 National website: www.ndna.org.uk Out of School Information and Development 4Children Tel: 01245 438572 E-mail: info@4children-essex.org.uk National website: www.4children.org.uk Childminding Information and Support National Childminding Association (NCMA) Tel: 01245 438585 Email: ncma.essex@ncma.org.uk National website: www.ncma.org.uk

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Contact Address Schools, Children and Families Directorate Early Years & Childcare PO Box 47, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford CM1 1QH General Enquiries Tel: 01245 438500

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Early Years and Childcare News in

Contents In this issue Welcome

Quality Improvement Ragging Update

Activity Self Selection Book 4 Effective Practice Matters

Meaningful Mealtimes

Training Case Study

Candice Barney, Recruitment and Careers Adviser 7 Free Early Education Entitlement

Web Portal Plans

Family Information Service Update

Qualifications Update

Business Support Update

Two new Business Support Courses 11 DCATCH

Inclusive and Multicultural Reads

Inclusion Toolkit Launch

Musical Minds

Essex Carrying the Flame

Induction Survey

Partners in Early Years and Childcare

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Useful Contacts 23, Back page

Welcome to the Early Years and Childcare

News!

Spring is in the air and I’m sure, like me, you’re looking forward to longer days and the flowers and lovely fresh greenery to come. Here in the local authority we’ve been undertaking the difficult task of identifying ways to make savings whilst doing our best to protect front line services. I have already pledged to you that we will be open about decisions made; at the time of writing the final budgets for 2011-12 have not yet been agreed by Essex County Council but the good news is that resources for early years are still very much there. There’s now a real recognition both nationally and in Essex that, subject to all the pressures on the public sector, investing as much as we can in children’s earliest experiences is likely to pay dividends later by lowering costs to the state but most importantly in improved outcomes for children and eventually in strengthening them as future parents themselves. If you haven’t already, take a look at the Field Report and the Allen Report which both reinforce this message. Frank Field’s report http://povertyreview. independent.gov.uk/ Graham Allen’s report - http:// grahamallenmp.wordpress.com/ In this issue you’ll find an update about the Free Early Education Entitlement funding, timely as

Quality Improvement – Ragging Update

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By Diane Rideout, Early Years Foundation Stage Adviser We are now in our second year of the RAG process. We were pleased to receive many more self-rag forms across the county this year and they formed part of the evidence and discussion at the Quality Monitoring Meetings. Thank you to settings who sent these to us.

Comparison of 2009 and 2010 overall RAG judgements

Green settings 2009 – 60.4% 2010 – 70%

it’s about to “go live” from April, and several articles highlighting aspects of how we are working with you to improve quality and outcomes, including the perspective of a childminder as well as an update on the RAG process. The London Olympics are now only a year away and we are thinking about how our sector can get involved. That went quickly, didn’t it! Finally I’ve indulged myself with an up to date picture of myself with one of my three grandchildren, grandson Denny, now two, who reminds me daily of the delight and individuality of every child!

 I n 2010, 410 settings received a green judgement, an increase of 9.6%.

Amber settings 2009 – 35.8% 2010 – 25.6%  I n 2010, 158 settings received an amber judgement, a decrease of 10.2%.

Red settings 2009 – 3.8% 2010 – 4.4%  I n 2010, 27 settings received a red judgement, a slight increase of 0.6%.

Harriet Hill

Head of Early Years & Childcare

We are really pleased with the outcomes and it is down to the hard work of practitioners, supported by Early Years Consultants, who have made the difference.

Quality within Early Years remains very much the focus of the Government’s vision for the future. You can read more about this in the “Early Years Evidence Pack”. http://media.education.gov.uk/ assets/files/pdf/e/early%20 years%20evidence%20pack.pdf The report also draws on the evidence from Frank Field’s report “The Foundation Years: Preventing poor children becoming poor adults” http://povertyreview.independent. gov.uk/media/20254/povertyreport.pdf Quality Matters Packs have been very well received by practitioners. The comments below reflect how useful they have proved: “The Quality Matters folder that was sent out has proven to be a very good tool it really makes you question and reflect on your practice.” “I found the accompanying Quality Matters document extremely useful for compiling the RAG form meaningfully, and has given me a good basis to evolve a development plan. I feel this is a more realistic overall impression of the setting than previous ones.’ There are going to be some changes to the timescales for the RAG process from September 2011. You will be receiving your self-rag forms from us in April/ May to be returned to us by the end of June. Quality Monitoring Meetings to discuss and decide on RAG judgements will then be held in July/August and your RAG reports will be sent out to you by

the end of September. I hope you will take the opportunity to be a part of the RAG process again; the information in the Quality Matters Pack will support you in completing your Self-rag form. In November 2010, the Quality Matters toolkit for Out of School clubs was sent. This included the new RAG format for 2011 which will highlight Communication, Language and Literacy Development as this is the year of oracy. CC’s will be able to complete an in-depth observation and concentrate more on the quality of interaction between staff and children rather than the paperwork. The Quality Matters toolkit for childminders will be sent during March 2011 along with the new RAG paperwork. It is envisioned that the visits will be yearly from now on and the increased support from the local authority and NCMA will be seen as a positive step to support our childcare workforce.

Early Years and Childcare News in

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Activity Self Selection Book By Natalie Rolfe, Childminder The aim of the ‘Activity Self Selection Book’ was to produce a simple reference book, which incorporated bright visual aids with written labels and introduced multicultural issues through language. This was to allow all children, regardless of age or ability, the opportunity to self select from the range of toys and resources that I supply, allowing them to direct their own learning and development. All children helped arrange the resources ready to be photographed. With some direction, they then helped take digital photos. The two older children helped provide the French translations using their schools books and all children helped use the internet to find out what the British, French and German flags were. The photos allow younger children to self select activities independently as their language skills begin to develop. They also allow children with delayed speech or communication difficulties to communicate what activities they would like to do.

year old. Initially shy in accessing activities on her own she has become much more confident and independent in her actions and play. Her reading skills have improved and by looking at the French and German translations we have on occasions talked about how other people live. The book is now beginning to be of interest to the 15 month old baby, as her ability to look at books develops. The bright pictures now catch her interest and she will soon be able to point to what she wants.

The book supports all five Every Child Matters outcomes, in particular ‘Enjoying and Achieving’ as it allows each child to direct their own personal learning journey through the activities they choose. It also supports ‘Being Healthy’ as by placing physical and outdoor activities at the front of the book this becomes the foremost choice for children, promoting their physical health and development.

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Effective Practice Matters By Emma Booker, Early Years Foundation Stage Adviser (EYFSA) A new planning document is available to download from the Essex Grid for Learning. It has been compiled by Emma Booker, EYFSA and contains a re-working of the “Effective Practice” and “Planning and Resourcing” sections of the EYFS grids. Rather than focusing on the development matters statements, referring to this document on a regular basis should encourage practitioners to really focus on the richest provision to offer the children in their settings. This should help facilitate both a refocusing of the adult role and also planning for the richest provision in order for children to be supported as

competent learners who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured. It is not intended that the document be used in any one way. It could be used, for example, to focus adult minds, to check that a wide range of provision is offered or for reviewing the environment. For further information please consult your EYFSA.

reception classes. The sheets are downloadable from the Resources Index section of Essex Grid for Learning.

The document is downloadable in two layouts. Practitioners may wish to select the age bands that are most relevant to their work with the children in their setting: e.g. 22-36 months and 30-50 for preschools or 30-50 and 40-60+ for

Meaningful Mealtimes By Sue Burt-Price, Team Leader 0-3’s Early Years Foundation Stage Adviser

The written labels in English promote letter recognition, first sounds and reading skills, whilst French and German translations introduce basic foreign language skills and multicultural issues as well as providing a resource for bilingual children. Including the national flag allows children to use an early visual aid to identify other languages in the labels.

Mealtimes are just as important in babies and young children as in adults, if not more so! The Reggio Emilia approach to food and nutrition is something those in early years are passionate about sharing. The approach focuses on involving children in the process of preparing the food and working alongside each other to encourage communication and interaction.

The book has been popular with all the children, but especially the minded four

The emphasis on food is not just about survival, it is about enjoyment and companionship.

It’s important to realise that mealtimes are an opportunity for exchanges, ideas, creating projects and establishing relationships among all family members. So, what can you do in your setting?  Involve the children safely in meal and snack preparation. Talk to them and explain the different smells, textures and tastes.  Ask them about their favourite foods and foods that they may not like.

 If possible always sit and eat or drink with the children, this is such a social occasion! P rovide healthy meals and snacks that offer the recommended amount of fats and salts and remember the 5 a day if you can!

Early Years and Childcare News in

An Introduction – Candice Barney, Recruitment and Careers Adviser

Training Case Study By Sandra Tank, Training Strategy Manager Childminder Lynne Seabridge Long lives in Brightlingsea in the Tendring area of Essex. She has been a registered childminder for seven years and decided on a career change after spending 13 years in the National Health Service as a pharmacy assistant, ward clerk and receptionist. She originally undertook childminding to look after her nephew, but soon thought ‘I really quite like this job’ and decided to pursue it as a career. Lynne undertook the training that is required to become a registered childminder, and the further two optional units - ‘Developing Childminding Practice’ and ‘Extending Childminding Practice’. She enjoyed the courses, but at that time had no plans to undertake further training. Lynne then received some information from the Early Years and Childcare Service, offering Early Years Practitioners funding to undertake further qualification training. She read the information and investigated further training opportunities and found she could study for The Early Years Sector Foundation degree through the Open University on a module by module basis. Lynne applied for funding and was awarded support for her first two modules through the funding opportunities available from Early Years and Childcare. Lynne completed and passed those modules, and carried on to complete the remaining units to give her the Level 5 qualification in Early Years. The course has taken Lynn five years to complete. When speaking to Lynne she said there were times she felt like crying and studying took most of her weekends but said she

Hello my name is Candice Barney and I have been in post for six months as an Early Years Recruitment and Careers Adviser in the Early Years and Childcare Workforce Planning and Development Team. We advertise job opportunities in many childcare roles, which all require a wide range of skills and knowledge and I promote the services we offer to the Early Years and Childcare sector.

If you require any advice and guidance in regards to your recruitment and career needs please contact the Careers Team. Tel: 01245 438550 Email: candice.barney@essex.gov.uk

never once felt like giving up. Lynne didn’t have a very good learning experience at school, but it was this that kept her motivated to complete the course and accomplish a personal and professional goal.

Essex County Council

The benefits for Lynne completing this course have been numerous. On a professional level, she now understands why children do the things they do, and why she does the things she does in her practice. She has undertaken research and projects - things she had never done before. The families of the children she minds have all been very supportive of her study and the care that she gives their children. She informs all prospective parents about her studies and her qualification. Her fellow childminders have also supported her through her studies, with words of encouragement, and sometimes some jokey “you’re mad” comments! On a personal level Lynne feels she has gained confidence in talking to other agencies regarding her families well being and education. Her family has been very supportive and Lynne has completed this course with the normal family pressures of

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supporting teenagers through exams and social activities. When asked what advice she would give other childminders about undertaking any further courses of study, she said, “Just do it, it has given me confidence and opened my eyes to so much around the child and the rights of the child.” Lynne said she would never have undertaken the course if the funding had not been available, and she has thanked Early Years and Childcare for the opportunity.

Since I have been in post, I have been focusing on promoting the service by going to a range of careers conventions, visiting a variety of colleges to give advice to students on the different careers available in childcare and also doing drop in settings with organisations such as Connexions. This is to give one-to-one advice on what routes are available to get into early years and childcare careers. The services and range of vacancies we have available are on www.essex-eyjobs.co.uk

Early Years and Childcare

I have been studying data to see which areas of Essex are in most need of a range of different childcare. I am also looking at ways to encourage men in to the early years and childcare sector and I plan to work with childrens centres to develop this. This analysis will help fuel the future development of the service and I also hope to begin new provider events for those looking to open up their own early years and childcare setting.

...we can provide you with information and free, impartial guidance on:

If you are looking for a new job working with young children in Essex… ...we can provide you with information and free, impartial guidance on:  suitable job opportunities  writing application forms  interview techniques  career pathways and progression

If you are an employer looking for new staff to work with young children in Essex...  effective and legally compliant advertising  f air and consistent recruitment and selection procedures a ppropriate recruitment and selection documentation  salary ranges based on county averages

Please visit us at www.essex-eyjobs.co.uk or call 01245 438550

Early Years and Childcare News in

Free Early Education Entitlement By Terry Hollingsworth, Free Entitlement Funding Manager

Free Entitlement Contracts 2011/12 You will have now received contracts for the next financial year. These are required to be signed and returned by 31 March 2011 in order for your anticipatory payments for the summer term to be paid. We have taken note of feedback from a number of providers who had felt that the access and delivery of the Free Entitlement was unclear and have made a concerted effort in the new contract to address these issues.

Single Funding Formula The new formula will be implemented from April 2011. Therefore primary schools with nursery classes will have a contract with us to access Free Entitlement for the first time. This will be based on participation; the actual number of hours of each child attending compared to the previous agreement of funding according to registered places. A key aspect of this change is that parents may now choose to split their entitlement between a school nursery class and a Private Voluntary or Independant provider. The criteria for reception class places is unchanged and I suggest that you do make this clear to parents as we continue to receive quite a number of claims (150 for the autumn 2010 term) that had to be rejected. This is regrettable but we are not able to double fund places.

Accredited Childminders Accredited Childminders will also be contracting directly with us for the first time. This will entail data for qualifying children to be supplied to us and not to NCMA who had previously administered the collection of data and distribution of funds.

Hourly Rates of Pay At the time of writing the 2011/12 budget is still to be formalised. This is a complex and challenging task. There will be differentiated rates for Pre-Schools, Nurseries, Independent Schools, Accredited Childminders, Maintained School Nursery Classes, and Maintained Nursery Schools, who had previously agreed rates of pay. There will also be a supplement for Social Deprivation funding. The level of this will be interdependent on protecting base rates for the above categories. Please be assured that we are negotiating on your behalf and that the levels of funding will be advised to you as soon as is possible.

2011. If you are contacted by our audit team and asked to provide supporting data to substantiate claims your cooperation would be appreciated. Your compliance to such a request is of course a condition of accessing funding.

2 Year Old Funding Further funding has been confirmed for 2011/12. However this is only a sufficient amount to fund 5% of two year olds in Essex, and therefore represents a major task in formulating a process that is able to benefit the families and children most in need. The existing project was administered on an application basis, but this creates a significant administrative burden to manage this effectively. A number of options are being explored to ensure that this can be designated as effectively and efficiently as is possible. Further details will be released as soon as a criteria and process can be established.

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Family Information Service Update Jenny Bibby, Communications Manager talks about the changes to the Family Information Service. Following the move of the Family Information Service from Early Years and Childcare to Contact Essex there has been some confusion over what the Family Information Service now offer and if they even exist. So in response I feel itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important everyone is aware of the changes. The Family Information Service does still exist and can be reached on the usual number 0800 0556874 or at fis@essex. gov.uk. The function has not changed but how it operates and how it is managed has. I am now in charge of the Family Information Service and there are 4(?) dedicated Contact Essex staff answering the phone line. They have access to the same information

and databases as always but anything that requires specialist knowledge they can put through to the relevant person. As part of the new structure of the Family Information Service we offer a Brokerage Service for specialist advice. If a call cannot be answered by the

dedicated Contact Essex staff a Brokerage referral is made and the relevant area CCDO takes charge of the enquiry and liaises directly with the parent/carer. The Early Years Communications Team then monitors the referrals to make sure they are completed within the allocated timescale.

Auditing the Free Entitlement We are proposing to step up the auditing of claims and are in discussions with our ECC Internal Audit colleagues to undertake a higher level of auditing from April

Contact details: Terry Hollingsworth, Free Entitlement Funding Manager Tel: 01245 438515 or 436553 Email: free.entitlementfundingqueries@essex.gov.uk

Web Portal Plans Work is well underway to develop an Early Years and Childcare web portal through which you will be able to submit your headcount and sufficiency data. We really do want to reduce the administrative burden placed upon you. Once we go live, you will be given a secure password to access and update your settingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s details. The main timesaver will be the fact you only have to amend your headcount and sufficiency information where it has changed. Another major benefit will be access to resources and information currently only available in hard copy. Watch out for further updates on access and training.

Early Years and Childcare News in

Qualifications Update –

Important information for all Early Years Practitioners By Sandra Tank, Training Strategy Manager The deadline for having a single qualification for new entrants to the early years workforce has been extended. The last minute temporary reprieve for popular childcare qualifications, announced by the Children’s Workforce Development Council, has been welcomed across the early years sector. From 1 January 2011 the new Level 2 Certificate/Level 3

Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce, championed by the CWDC, were to have become the sole qualifications for new learners for the purposes of registration and regulation. However, following the intervention of OfQual, CWDC announced that the date has been postponed for 12 months and qualifications that were to have been superseded have been reprieved until January 2012.

The full analysis is available at www.nurseryworld.co.uk For further updates please check out the CWDC Website: www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/ qualifications-list You can also look at the latest information on http://www. essex-eyjobs.co.uk/training/ Or contact a Training Adviser Tel: 01245 43852 Email: ey-ug@essex.gov.uk or ey-gta@essex.gov.uk

Business Support Update Caroline Piggott, Business Support Manager explains why these Business Support courses can be so useful in running a successful setting.

Being in charge Managing other people is one of the most difficult things to do, particularly if you are moving into management from working alongside people. There are very few who can manage well instinctively, and we can all learn how to do it better. This course gives you tools and structures to enable you to manage colleagues effectively, to ensure you get the best out of them. Being in Charge is always a popular course, and will equip you and

your setting to look after your most valuable assets – your people.

Understanding Legal Structures Why does your legal structure matter, you may ask? If you are entering into contracts, whether with staff, parents, landlords, service providers, Essex County Council or other funding organisations, your legal structure can affect your liabilities and responsibilities. This course helps you get to

grips with the types of legal structure that exist, the pros and cons, to help you decide what is the right one for you, and what this decision means. You can be assured that your legal structure affects all relationships you enter into as a business, so it’s worth making sure you have the one that works best for you.

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Two new Business Support courses with dates available this term! Business Success in Childcare – Being in charge

Business Success in Childcare – Understanding Legal Structures

Course Content  To look at the performance and conduct of your staff

Course Content  R eview types of legal structure and know how to select an appropriate structure for your organisation

 T o focus on objective setting and measuring standards, clarifying expectations  T o explore how different people are motivated

 U nderstand the difference between legal structure and organisational model and how this impacts on your liability when entering into contracts

Target Audience Supervisors and managers.

 T o know what accountabilities a local authority might require of you as part of any service delivery or funding contract.

Aims of the Course On completing this course participants should:

Target Audience Managers or committee members with the responsibility for running childcare in voluntary led or private settings.

 u nderstand what makes an effective manager  be confident in motivating staff  b e able to write SMART objectives about how staff are required to behave  u nderstand how to give staff feedback that motivates them  b e confident in developing a dialogue with staff that builds their commitment to performing well  h ave a knowledge of where to get help with staff management issues

Aims of the Course On completing this course participants should:  u nderstand your legal entity  b e aware of your personal liabilities and the level of risk you are exposed to  u nderstand legal implication so if you are thinking of expanding or accessing funding to become part of an extended school or children’s centre  h ave a knowledge of how to use a business plan and cash flow to support a funding bid  u nderstand lease agreements  u nderstand contracts to deliver services for a local authority

Jacqui Burke of ‘Flourishing People’ will be presenting these half day courses. Refreshments will be provided but there will not be a lunch so please ensure you bring your own. The course fee is £15.00 for each. A certificate of course completion will be sent after we have received your completed Training Impact Form. To book: Complete the usual booking form found in the Training Brochure or contact the Training Team on 01245 438555 to request one.

Early Years and Childcare News in

Disabled Children’s Access to Childcare (DCATCH) Inclusion Training You may be aware of the DCATCH strand of funding that all local authorities received as part of Aiming High for Disabled Children during the financial year 2010-2011. This funding has enabled us to provide some tailored training for childcare practitioners. All courses are running between January and March 2011 and are aimed at all early years and childcare practitioners. They are fully funded, and can be booked by phone on a first come first served basis. The impact forms from these courses will be evaluated to determine if there is sufficient demand to run a number of these courses alongside our regular termly range of courses advertised in the Training Brochure.

Inclusive and Multicultural Reads By Melanie McKenna, Audience Development Officer

This new factsheet has been sent to all Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) settings to add to their Quality Matters packs. It provides summarised information on being an inclusive setting. Factsheets are also being developed to complement the Out of School pack as well as the soon to be developed Childminders and Schools packs.

One of the best ways to celebrate the diverse nature of our amazing world with children is to share and provide access to a wide range of books. There are many great stories where children and families share and celebrate what is unique and what is universal about them and their culture. This might be a Caribbean family gathering for a colourful Sunday lunch to coo over a new baby or following an action packed day with Victoria who enthusiastically joins in with everything and is not held back by the fact that she has Downs Syndrome.

Finding childcare for children with additional needs and disabilities

At Essex Libraries we ensure we provide and promote story and information books which include characters from diverse

Quality Matters – The Importance of Inclusion

The DCATCH funding has also been used to develop a new booklet to help parents of children with additional needs or disabilities to find childcare. The content is based on what parents told us about their views and experience about looking for suitable early learning and childcare provision. The booklet will be available from mid March for parents to ordering by telephoning the Family Information Service on 0800 055 6874 or via email at fis@essex.gov.uk.

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families and cultures and show positive images of children who have a disability. In response to demand from parents and professional colleagues in early years organisations, we have recently produced a list of the best inclusive books currently available. Copies of the booklist can be obtained from libraries or via your Early Years professional organisation. The books can be borrowed from any library in Essex. To find your nearest library contact us

on 0845 603 7628 or visit our website www.essex.gov.uk/ libraries where you can also order books free of charge. Pre-schools, nurseries, childminders and children’s centres can all sign up for a library ticket for their setting and borrow up to 20 books. There are no fines or fees to pay and you can change the books as often as you like. Bring your children along for a visit and get them to do the choosing for you!

For more information contact: Melanie McKenna, Audience Development Officer Tel: 01206 245900 Email: melanie.mckenna@essex.gov.uk

Inclusion Toolkit Update Saturday 26 February 2011 Thriftwood School, Galleywood, CM2 8RW An exciting event open to all childcare practitioners to support the inclusion of children and young people with disabilities into childcare settings. The event will play host to some fantastic opportunities for practitioners to develop practical ideas around sport, art and dance to enable them to include all children in all activities. Childcare practitioners will be able to collect a free Inclusion Toolkit, ‘Childcare and Activities for All’. This is a policies and

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procedures resource pack which will guide you through the key elements to consider and put into practice, to best meet the needs of children and young people who have a disability.

Use this resource pack alongside your existing policies and procedures to enable all children and young people, whatever their abilities, to enjoy the activities, spaces and support that you offer.

For more information or to book a place, contact: Lucy Horgan, Development Officer Email: lucy.horgan@4children-essex.org.uk Kylie Halls, Development Officer Email: kylie.halls@4children-essex.org.uk Call Lucy or Kylie on: 01245 438572

Early Years and Childcare News in

Musical Minds Musical Minds, the arts project funded by Youth Music, got off to a great start after Christmas at the six settings in Harlow who are taking part in this term’s workshops. The music leader, Adam Amor, created a song list and CD to be used in the sessions as well as long after they have finished. Songs include ‘This Bear Loves To Dance’, ‘To Have A Tea Party’ and ‘See You Later Alligator’! The workshops are structured in a way to engage all children by providing guidance and instruction mixed with child led play. Often ideas for the rest of the session develop from the child led play. The first sessions have been a huge success and Adam noticed at one of the settings that three boys who were chasing and hitting before the session had by the end of it created a band! One was doing the song words and moves to the CD and the other two were taking instruments from the music corner and accompanying him, which just shows how music can help bring children together. Those involved in the project are committed to ensuring the material is used long after the sessions have finished. So it’s great to hear that Rum Tum Tuggers are going to display work in the corner where Adam performs so that there are

visual references for the new material and ideas brought up in the songs.

Observations from the sessions: A boy thought possibly to be autistic spectrum was observed communicating in a way the staff had not seen before. A set of girls were resistant to joining in with music session but within 10 minutes were singing and dancing completely focussed. For more information contact: Barbara Greenley, Quality Support Officer Tel: 01245 438523 Email: barbara.greenley@essex.gov.uk

Family Day Information! Come along and join in the fun and games at the World Ceilidh Dance Day! Workshops at 3pm and 5pm with a performance by Ceilidh group The Faery Fairies at 4pm. Family groups of all ages welcome. Venue: The Meadows Children’s Centre, Harlow Date: Saturday 19 March 2011 Time: 3pm - 6pm

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Essex Carrying the Flame – getting early years involved By Emma Booker, Early Years Foundation Stage Adviser

Did you know that on 15 March 2011, it will be just 500 days to the start of the 2012 London Olympics? The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics will be the biggest event on home soil for many people’s entire lives. Young children can be encouraged to enjoy physical exercise and to take part in the many cultural celebrations. They can help to document the next few years through photos, comments, drawings etc. All of these will build up a lasting legacy. In order to support your preparations, EYFSA Emma Booker will be working with the

Essex Carrying the Flame Team to ensure that practitioners will be made aware of some of the opportunities, ideas and key dates. This will be done through a series of EYFS-style cards over the next 18 months.Watch out on Essex Grid for Learning for further updates. Even if you are not particularly interested yourself in the sporting aspect of the games, I would encourage you to think strongly about how best to encourage excitement and participation in the families and children that you work with.

Induction Survey

By Cecilia Ockleford, Workforce Quality Support Assistant and Chris Cooper, Workforce Performance Management Adviser Please help us to help you Early Years and Childcare is constantly striving to improve the services it has to offer and is inviting anyone (including managers, supervisors or practitioners) who work in a preschool, day nursery, crèche, out of school/breakfast club, to take part in an online survey which asks about the type of induction your setting has and for your views on how we should tailor our services to best suit you/ your setting’s needs.

There are no right or wrong answers so please be open and honest with your replies. If you don’t have an induction process within your setting the information you supply will still be valuable in helping us plan to see if there is an opportunity to support you/ your setting. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and is available at http://www.surveymonkey. com/s/induction1

The survey is anonymous but there is an option for you to provide your contact details at the end, if you wish. If you have any queries about the survey please contact Cecilia Ockelford 01245 438521, email cecilia. ockelford@essex.gov.uk or Chris Cooper on 01245 438524, email chris.cooper@ essex.gov.uk We look forward to receiving your replies.

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Essex

Partners in Early Years and Childcare Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA) Keeping Children Safe in a Creche Facility By Jacqui Oldman, Creche Development Officer A good quality crèche will provide a short term, secure and safe childcare facility where parents and carers can leave their children to play, supervised, while they go off to do other things, such as, training, sporting activities or shopping. Some crèches are provided in permanent settings, such as children’s centres or health clubs, whilst others are set up on a temporary basis to care for children whilst their parents or carers are occupied in time-limited activities. The Childcare Act 2006 introduced a Childcare Register which has two parts, a voluntary part that settings may choose to join and a compulsory part for those who must register. As a result, most crèches are no longer required by law to be registered or regulated by Ofsted. In Essex however, provision that is not required to be registered is encouraged by the Pre-school Learning Alliance Crèche Development Officer, Jackie Oldman to join the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register. Currently in Essex 104 crèches have been identified, of these 49 are registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and/or Voluntary part of the Childcare Register. All identified Essex crèches, whether Ofsted Registered or not, are being quality monitored using the RAG format.

A recent article edited by the Alliance has been included in a number of local trade press magazines including KidAround suggesting that parents and carers ask some basic questions before leaving children for the first time in any crèche provision and to take note of the staffs’ attitudes and behaviour. Whether your crèche is in a children’s centre or the private sector there are certain things you should be checking, including: H ow do the staff greet parents and carers? Are they warm and welcoming? A re they asking parents and carers if they would like to look around and stay to settle their child? If not, do they welcome it when asked? D oes the crèche have a welcome pack explaining the policies and procedures of the setting?

D oes this include information on safeguarding children and behaviour management?  I s the crèche safe, secure, well lit and well maintained? This means unauthorised persons cannot enter the crèche and children cannot leave unsupervised. A re children busy and enjoying a wide range of activities which they can freely choose from? Are staff sitting, talking and playing with the children? C an the staff tell you the procedures in place regarding obtaining Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks and ensuring their suitability? D o any of the staff have a current paediatric first aid qualification? If yes, is the named first aider for the day displayed?

If no, what procedures are in place to protect children? D o staff insist a Registration Form is completed prior to leaving a child the first time? It is essential they have parent/ carers contact details. A re parents and carers informed of the procedure when collecting a child? Only named persons should be allowed to collect a child. It would be good practice to have an identity or password system in place.

Remember young children rely on others to keep them safe therefore it is perfectly reasonable for parents and carers to ask questions to help reassure them. A high quality crèche will welcome families, offer a show round, together with settling in time and encourage any questions to reassure and work in partnership with parents and carers to provide the best possible care.

 I s the emergency evacuation procedure explained to all new users?  I s fresh drinking water made freely available to children? H ow is day to day information shared between staff, parents and carers? Is confidentiality maintained? W hat are the procedures should parents and carers have a concern or complaint? Is a ‘comments, compliments & complaints’ book readily available for parents and carers to share their thoughts?

If you need any support or advice regarding offering, or maintaining, a crèche facility please contact: Jackie Oldman, Creche Development Officer Tel: 07807 462455 Email: jackie.oldman@pre-school.org.uk

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Partners in Early Years and Childcare How have you supported the child and their family?

National Childminding Association (NCMA) Many childminders across Essex care for children from families who need additional support and therefore their childcare service goes above and beyond what would be considered as the ‘usual’ quality care given by a childminder. As part of the Children Come First network we have a ‘Teen Parent Project’ and over the last year there have been some very successful placements made with network childminders and teen parents. Angela Craig, Childminding Development Worker interviewed three childminders to talk about the placements and how they go the extra mile.

Case Study One

How have you supported the child and their family? “I pick up mum and baby in the morning and drop mum at school, then take them both home in the evening, as she is not able to access the school transport. I am flexible in the care I offer, and try to maintain his routine. I have recently helped mum out with some coursework at school as she is doing a childcare course.” What is the most challenging aspect of your role?

Jo Sands has been Childminding in Brightlingsea for two and a half years, has one child of her own and recently starting caring for a child of a Teen Parent. She has been caring for him for four months and he is now 15 months old.

contacts with the children’s centre and helped Mum self refer herself for support” Is there anything else you would like to say about the support you have been offering this family? “Yes, if anyone is considering a teen parent match that is an incredibly rewarding aspect of my job. I have a really good rapport with mum and have loved watching her son flourish, mum confides in me about many things and I feel proud that I am able to support her”

Case Study Two

“Sometimes working with a teen parent I don’t always know whether I am having the baby that day or not so I try to keep things as ‘normal’ as possible when he is with me. I had a lot of initial problems with ‘Care to Learn’ who provide the funding to pay for his care, but with support I have managed to sort this out and things are working well now.” Do you feel supported? Are you aware of the services available to support you in the area? “Yes definitely, I know I can contact NCMA regarding anything and they will and have always helped. I have made good

“I pick up mum and baby in the morning and drop mum at the bus stop to go to college, and then take baby home in the evening. I provide out of hours support and have given mum advice on feeding and sleep patterns.”

“Usually funding is only available for nurseries, it would be helpful to access funding to support his additional needs.”

Case Study Three

What is the most rewarding aspect of your role? “Seeing him laugh! As communication is very difficult when I see him laugh it’s the best feeling ever! Knowing that I am helping the family and how happy they are with me.”

What is the most challenging aspect of your role? “Mum being a teenager has been challenging due to making sure that both mum and I are organised and I know when I am caring for her baby. I had initial difficulties with ‘Care to Learn’ in setting up the payment of the funding and knowing which forms they required for what… but with support this has now been resolved and seems to be working well.” What is the most rewarding aspect of your role? “Watching the baby develop and helping her progress and meet her milestones, she is a wonderful baby and I get a lot of enjoyment looking after her, the other children love her too! Also the praise and thanks I get from the whole family, really makes this role rewarding.”

Marie Marshall has been childminding in Clacton for three years, has three children of her own and has been caring for a child of a teen parent for nine months, the baby is now 10 months old.

a great support and the baby is registered with them so that mum and baby can access support and services too.”

Do you feel supported? Are you aware of the services available to support you in the area? “Yes, I know I can call NCMA with any questions at any time and my CDW has helped me with some recent issues. Sure Start has been

Do you feel supported? Are you aware of the services available to support you in the area? “Yes, I welcome all the professionals into my home and it’s so good to get ideas to support him. They will also pick up on things that he does and it gives me another perspective.” Mandy Dowdell has been childminding in Clacton for 12 years and has 3 children of her own and has looked after a child with IDECT 15 who has specific needs. Mandy has many years experience of caring for children with Additional Needs. How have you supported the child and their family? “I have put mum in touch with another parent who has a child with IDECT 15, also with services that she did not necessarily know about. The SENaPS and OT will come to see him at my house and I attend the Team around the child meetings.”

In addition to the ‘Teen Parent Project’ and supporting Children with Additional Needs, NCMA have also been working with Social Care to find placements at short notice for families needing immediate respite care. Not all placements are matched with childminders but the local knowledge of the Childminding Development Workers is paramount in their ability to locate a childminder with vacancies that would be suitable.

What is the most challenging aspect of your role?

Early Years and Childcare News in

Essex

Partners in Early Years and Childcare

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) in Essex Taking time to work on your nursery business National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) hosts a two day unmissable event, the essential nursery conference. Designed for nurseries and others with an interest in the sector, the event shares the latest policy and practice and helps inspire delegates with new ideas and the latest information regarding government policy. Attending is a real opportunity to take time to reflect on your nursery business and network with like-minded individuals. Workshops on a wide range of essential areas are also on offer, including supporting parents during challenging economic times, using social media and assessing risk and reporting of accidents. The event is taking place at the Royal Armouries, Leeds on 9 – 10 June. The event also includes the NDNA Nursery Awards, which are open for entries now! This exciting award, voted for by parents, includes the NDNA Nursery of the Year Award, NDNA Nursery Practitioner of the Year Award and NDNA Member

Champions. You can find out more about entering at www.ndna.org.uk/awards

Why not take a look and see how entering can help raise your profile? Marketing your nursery in challenging times Budgets are currently tight for many nurseries, but it is vital that you look at cost-effective ways to market your nursery. Highlighting your services is crucial in ensuring that you maintain a healthy occupancy, and attract new families to your setting. Here we look at some top tips for costeffective marketing:  T ake advantage of public relations. An article in your local newspaper can be a really effective way of getting the message out there. Next time you have a fun or interesting event or visitor, then contact your local paper to see if they would like to cover it. If they can’t send a photographer, then take your own pictures and send them in  Can you get more parents on email? Some parents prefer

to receive emails anyway, so see if you can cut down on your printing costs by issuing nursery news electronically  R efresh your marketing. A parent questionnaire can not only be a useful way to see what you need to develop, but also help gather information that can be used for marketing to demonstrate how valuable your services are  H ave prices as an insert in your prospectus – you can save money by printing more and they won’t go out of date.

If you would like more ideas about how you can market your nursery, visit www.ndna.org.uk/ publications to find out more about ‘your essential guide to marketing your nursery’, priced at just £12 plus P&P for NDNA members.

Sophie Digin

Jane Schofield

Donna Chunn

Welcome to Donna Chunn Donna Chunn is the latest member of the NDNA team in Essex and will be working as a Development Officer alongside Sophie Digings and Jane Schofield. Donna will be covering Tendring, Colchester, Braintree and Maldon and has a strong background in early years having worked in a number of nurseries in the area. Donna will be providing hands-on advice and support to help nurseries resolve issues and develop the best-possible quality of care and early learning. She is hoping to contact and speak to as many nurseries as possible and you can contact Donna with any queries using the details below.

Want to contact your local representative? You can contact your local representative using the details below. Whether you want to learn more about NDNA in Essex, or require help with a particular issue, please do get in touch. Donna Chunn – Tendring, Colchester, Braintree and Maldon Tel: 07795834568 Email: donna.chunn@ndna.org.uk Sophie Digings – Chelmsford and West Essex Tel: 07900 251 573 Email: sophie.digings@ndna.org.uk Jane Schofield – Brentwood, Billericay, Basildon, Castle Point and Rochford Tel: 07786 731 413 Email: jane.schofield@ndna.org.uk

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Partners in Early Years and Childcare

Useful contacts for Early Years and Childcare in Essex Early Years Foundation Stage Advisers (EYFSA)

4Children (Essex) 4Children responds to the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances report Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said: “Frank Field has hit the nail on the head. The first five years of life are ‘make or break’ for many children.

The reason people should pay attention to this report is because it brings together the academic evidence base with the reality of every day family life. All the research shows that the first years of life are the most important in setting life chances. Families – more than anyone – experience that this is true. We particularly welcome Frank Field’s recommendations on Sure Start Children’s Centres. He has recognised the central role that Children’s Centres play in giving children a great start in life and provided a vision for how they can build on this to play a huge part in building a more equal society.” The full report can be accessed here: http://povertyreview. independent.gov.uk/

North East Area Susan Burt-Price – Team Leader and 0-3yrs Remit Fiona King – EYFSA, Colchester Beth Devereux – EYFSA, Tendring Rachel Heraty – EYFSA, Cross Area Lynda Smith – EYFSA, 0-3 Adviser Mid Area Diane Rideout – Team Leader and PVI & Training Remit Emma Booker – EYFSA, Chelmsford and Maldon Emma Spring – EYFSA, Dengie Keeley Pullen – EYFSA, Braintree and Witham Janette Lockwood – EYFSA, 0-3 Adviser

As a country we have a duty to give every child the best start we can. That is why the proposal to establish a new Foundation stage in social policy has the potential to transform life chances for the poorest children. This has the potential to put support and services for young children and their families on a firm footing for the first time ever.

West Area Karen Musgrove – Team Leader and schools remit Marie-Anne Murphy – EYFSA, Harlow Debbie Makepeace – EYFSA, Epping Jacqui Oliver – EYFSA, Uttlesford Claire Dewey – EYFSA, Epping South Area Kath Hardy – Team Leader and Schools Remit Jima Fotopoulou – EYFSA, Brentwood, Wickford and Billericay Sharon Fogarty-Martin – EYFSA, Basildon Ruth Bamlett - EYFSA, Basildon Carole Rowe – EYFSA, 0-3 Adviser Chrissie Pittman – EYFSA for Independent Schools Sian Ansell, Early Language Consultant, ECaT (Every Child a Talker)

Upcoming events The 4Children spring term networks are fast approaching! The networks are accessible in locations across the county and will offer support and information around Equality and Diversity, making the most of your Library and of course the support and guidance of the 4Children Childcare Consultant Team. Attending a network convenient for you will be a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge, share best practice, learn more and have fun.

Dates available across the County: 7 March 2011 – Mid Essex 8 March 2011 – South West Essex 9 March 2011 – North West 10 March 2011 – North East Essex 11 March 2011 – South East Essex Further information will follow but if you would like to book your place in advance, please email Ellena.condie@4children-essex. org.uk or phone the office on 01245 438572.

Essex

For contact details of members of the above team please telephone the Early Years and Childcare main number: 01245 438500.

Children’s Community Development Officers: Denise Brandon – Braintree Gill Holland – Harlow & Uttlesford Helen Russell-Grant – Epping Forest Katy McBride – Chelmsford & Maldon Lorna Baker – Basildon & Brentwood Maria Blanche – Tendring Sara Kulikowski – Colchester Sue Roberts – Castlepoint & Rochford If you wish to contact one of the above Children’s Community Development Officers please telephone the main Early Years and Childcare line on 01245 438500.

SENCAN

Special Educational Needs and Children with Additional Needs Mid Area Team (Chelmsford, Braintree & Maldon) Crossman House Station Approach Braintree CM7 3QA Telephone: 01376 550349 North East Area Team (Colchester & Tendring) Park Road Colchester CO3 3UP Telephone: 01206 711112 South Area Team (Brentwood, Castlepoint, Rochford & Basildon) The Knares Basildon SS16 5RX Telephone: 01268 632360 West Area Team (Epping, Harlow & Uttlesford) Latton Green Resource Centre Riddings Lane Harlow CM18 7HT Telephone: 01279 453507 continued on back page...