Sandwell Early Years and Childcare Newsletter Winter 2012 edition • Issue twenty eight
In this issue: Childcare Celebration Event Early Learning for Two Year Olds Sandwell Families Big Picnic Children’s Disability Register Sandwell Show • Sandwell Children’s Centres
Childcare Celebration Event 2012 Sandwell Family Information Service and the Quality Early Years and Childcare Team hosted their sixth Childcare Celebration Event on Friday 2 November 2012 at The Training and Development Centre, Popes Lane, Oldbury. The event which celebrated and acknowledged the hard work and dedication of all the Childcare providers in Sandwell was attended by over 150 childcare providers. The event included a special guest speaker, Blind Dave, children’s performances from Ten Sing and Lion Farm Dance Group and an awards ceremony for outstanding contributions to childcare. The following awards were presented on the evening:
Outstanding Ofsted Award This award was presented to the Childcare practitioners who have achieved an ‘Outstanding’ in their Ofsted inspection between 1st November 2011 - 31st October 2012. • Elaine Slater - Childminder • Happy Families Out of School Club • Vicky Owen – Childminder • Hillside Children’s Centre • Burnt Tree Children’s Centre • Smethwick Cape Hill and Windmill Children’s Centre • Happy Faces Children’s Centre • Sandwell Academy Day Nursery • Margaret Hitchens – Childminder
Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
Childcare Practitioner Award 2012 Winner: Lydia Browning from Smarty Pants and Lola Belles Day Nurseries. Lydia was described as being devoted, inspiring, committed, very supportive and caring. She is very hard working always going that extra mile above and beyond her role as manger.
within their provision. They work closely with the Quality Early Years and Childcare Team and parents and involve them in many additional activities in the setting. They are a self reflective setting who makes adjustments according to their self assessment.
Outstanding Contribution to Childcare – Childminder 2012
Community Involvement Award 2012
Winner: Vicky Owen
Winner: Julie McKirdy from Thimblemill Library Julie is well known for her extensive work in the community. Julie was described as being a remarkable individual going that extra mile everyday for the children and families in Bearwood.
Vicky Owen works in partnership with the Quality Early Years and Childcare Team, taking on advice and guidance to support her business. She also works in partnership with other childminders within her local area. She is always striving to meet the needs and demands of the children in her care and works alongside the parents to help and support them.
Childcare Business Management Award 2012 Winner: Rowley Owls Day Nursery Rowley Owls Day Nursery work hard and strive to think creatively to make themselves economical, ethical and sustainable. They have actively used partnership with parents to get the best value provision they can whilst not taking away from high standards. They are forward thinking and are always planning ahead.
Childminder Award 2012 Winner: Carol Harris Carol works hard and does so much with and for all the children she cares for and for their parents. She always goes above and beyond her duties. This year is her 25th year childminding but for her it is not just a job.
Day Nursery Award 2012 Winner: Tipton Day Nursery Tipton Day Nursery provide excellent pre school care. The staff are hard working, work together as a team, are professional at all times and their positive attitudes and friendly smiles always make you feel welcome.
Outstanding Contribution to Childcare – Group Care 2012 Winner: Sandwell Academy Day Nursery Sandwell Academy Day Nursery is described as being fun and welcoming, the staff are very professional but friendly always going that extra mile, they always put quality at the heart of their work and work in partnership with the parents.
Effort and Dedication Award 2012 Winner: Kelly Griffiths from Temple Meadow Kids Club Temple Meadow Kids club is newly set up and works very closely with the Quality Early Years and Childcare Team. Kelly Griffiths works hard to ensure they are operating within the good practice guidelines, accessing training, seeking advice and implementing high quality procedures. The setting provides a good range of experiences that meet the needs of all the children who attend. The staff are approachable and tuned in to the children in their care.
Certificates of Recognition Pre-School/ Playgroup Award 2012 Winner: St Huberts Parents, Baby and Toddler Group St Huberts Parents, Baby and Toddler Group is very friendly, always making everyone feel welcome. The activities provided are excellent, fun and interesting. The group provides fun learning for children the perfect preparation for nursery school and always involve parents in everything they do.
Out of School Club Award 2012 Winner: Sandwell Young Carers The support Sandwell Young Carers provide is outstanding and the staff are always there when you need there help, they always go that extra mile to meet and help with the children’s and families needs.
Parents as Partners in Early Learning (PPEL) Award 2012 Winner: Tipton Day Nursery Tipton Day Nursery are described as being friendly, happy and welcoming, and work hard to engage with parents and grandparents and other professionals.
Dawn Richards Quality Award 2012 Winner: Lilliput Lodge Day Nursery Lilliput Lodge Day Nursery works hard to improve quality
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For going that extra mile in supporting children and families: • Debra Davis from YMCA Day Nursery – Carters Green • Danielle Radford from Sunny Skies Day Nursery
For providing an outstanding service for children and families • St Huberts Out of School Club
For sustained support of a child in vulnerable circumstances • Ataur Rahman from Sandwell Young Carers
Outstanding contribution to children and families in Sandwell • Bhavna Solanki The awards were presented by Sara Baber, Quality Early Years Lead, Angela Smith, Business and Finance Manager, Bhavna Solanki and Peter Forth For further information on childcare in Sandwell please contact Sandwell Family Information Service on 0121 569 4914 or visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/familyinfo
Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
Balloon Release at Bleakhouse Library to celebrate the 20th Birthday of Bookstart The Early Years Team and staff at Bleakhouse library worked together to promote the 20th Birthday of Bookstart with balloons galore at Bleakhouse library. We worked in partnership with local nursery groups, childminders and children’s centre groups to ask children their favourite book and complete a label with the details. Councillor Ann Jarvis also filled in a label with her favourite children’s book. Labels were then tied to helium filled balloons to gift to each child attending to encourage them to read a new book. Sixty nine children and carers attended the event led by the Early Years Team. Nicola and Lisa explained the Bookstart Pledge cards to the carers and every adult attending completed a pledge card with their support for Bookstart. A parent has asked the Early Years Team to attend an event later in the year targeting parents of pre-school children in Sandwell to promote libraries and Bookstart.
“It (Bookstart) encourages all parents to establish a love of books with their babies right from the start. Thank You” – parent
“Bookstart offers great information on reading for parents.” - parent
Groups attended the event from Bluebells Day Nursery, Oldbury Childrens Centre and Bleakhouse Childminder Group. Individual families also joined in with the celebrations. The children listened to an interactive storytime and were encouraged to join in by bursting lots of bubbles which they thoroughly enjoyed.
“She loved the event and enjoyed receiving a balloon. She does not speak English but understood what the story was about and joined in.” - carer
Mr Bookstart Bear paid a visit to all the children and led them to their gift of a balloon. We hope the families will have fun exploring new books together.
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Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
"Storylab sessions in Sandwell Libraries"
Family Fun at Sandwell Families Big Picnic! Around a hundred people from across Sandwell braved the rain at Sandwell Valley Farm for Sandwell Families Big Picnic. Sandwell Family Information Service held their 3rd Sandwell Families Big Picnic on Friday 8th June 2012. Families, parents, carers and children enjoyed and took part in a variety of activities including a chance to go wild with the animal man, build a den, get sporty with the Mini Olympic Games, enjoy a story, face painting, balloon modeling and a chance to have a giggle with Laughter Yoga. The Mobile Library was also there to enjoy as well as information stands from Sure Start Children’s Centres, Day Nurseries, Lifestyles, Welfare Rights, Sandwell Asian Families Support Services, Adoption and Fostering Team, The Wellbeing Hub and Sandwell Family Information Service.
Sandwell libraries were visited by Professors Morris, Allbutt and Dean during the summer holidays who bought their special magic "Storylab" along with them. Children were invited to help them create some wonderful stories by using potions to create clues to magical stories with the help of singing and rhymes. The children had to learn a special rhyme to conjure up the clues which then led them on a trail around the library to find the story. "The Three Little Pigs" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" were enjoyed by all with plenty of interaction from the children who enjoyed cooking the wolf in the pot of water and helping the three bears enjoy their porridge! The session finished with a bit of magic from the professors who somehow managed to turn an empty box into a box full of colourful ribbons - a trick taught to them by Harry Potter! We had 250 children and adults attend the sessions at all our libraries across Sandwell and the professors are hoping to visit libraries again in the near future. If any other nurseries or childrens centres would like a visit from the professors please contact the Early Years Library team on 0121 544 3888 for details,
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Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
Lots of fun at the Sandwell Show 2012! The Sandwell Family Information Service and Quality Early Years and Childcare Unit enjoyed great success at the Sandwell Community Show 2012. The annual show was held at Sandwell Valley Park during the August Bank Holiday. A crowd of more than 40000 visited the two-day Sandwell Community Show over the Bank Holiday. In the Fun and Games Marquee, families were able to enjoy lots of free activities including Table Football and Minilympic Games, arts and crafts, biscuit decorating, balloon modelling and face painting. There was also a chance to walk on the wild side with the animal man.
Recruitment If you receive any enquiries or know someone who is interested in an early years and childcare career, signpost them to FIS on 0121 569 4914 to access a recruitment information pack. If you are looking to recruit new staff, Sandwell Early Years & Childcare Unit can advertise your vacancy via our email job bulletin, contact Quality Early Years and Childcare Team for further details on 0121 569 4960.
Early Learning for Two’s in Sandwell Sandwell has funding for supporting families and children in the borough who meet a certain criteria. The offer is 15 hours of high quality early years provision for 38 weeks per year or 570 hours over a year. If you know of anyone who could benefit from this programme, please contact Sandwell Family Information Service 0121 569 4914 for more information regarding the criteria and/or an application pack.
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Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
DfE announce new national support contract: About Achieving Two Year Olds Achieving Two Year Olds (A2YO) is a national support contract funded by DfE (2012-2015). Its aim is to provide an optional offer of support to local authorities and early years providers for the roll-out of early learning places for less advantaged two year olds. Most providers will know the Government is introducing a legal requirement to secure free provision, through regulations under section 6 of the Childcare Act (2006). This requires that certain two-year-olds will be entitled to 570 hours of free early education over the course of the year. The Government plans to take a phased approach to the implementation of the new entitlement. Around 130,000 children (20%) will be entitled to free places from September 2013. Eligible children are expected to be those living in households which meet the criteria used for free school meals, and children in care. The entitlement will then be extended to around 260,000 eligible two-year-olds from September 2014. A2YO is being delivered by the partnership of Mott MacDonald and Hempsall’s and will offer support across all 152 local authorities in England. Support will be against three main objectives: • developing capacity to meet this new entitlement • improving the quality of provision so that it best meets the needs of two-year-olds • supporting the stimulation of parental demand for free early education places. The project is structured around working with the local authority and providers in their areas, and aims to support local planning and delivery. The project has a ‘core offer’ and from October 2012, it will also be targeting support to where it is most needed through a ‘commissioned offer’.
The core offer The project is coordinated through a central project management office (PMO) and the management team at Mott MacDonald. Each local authority has access to a nominated regional lead with whom we will have a primary relationship, as well as access to other specialists around the country. A self-evaluation form (SEF) will be revisited throughout the project and its purpose is to measure our level of preparedness towards the 2013 (20%) and 2014 (40%) milestones. It aims to support our self-assessment and project planning. Additionally, it will be used by A2YO as a mechanism for identifying support needs and to inform the ‘commissioned offer’. The council has access to regional and sub-regional network meetings throughout the project (starting Autumn 2012) to enable peer support, information exchange, training and problem solving approaches between local authorities locally, regionally and nationally. There will be opportunities for providers to get involved too, and the A2YO team is offering to provide input and information for provider networks.
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Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
A2YO have already started discussions with the key early years and childcare membership organisations to inform their work. They will also be placing information, tools and resources on the DfE strategic partnership website www.foundationyears.org.uk to share information more widely for providers and professionals.
The commissioned offer In addition to the core offer, the project has the capacity and capability to deliver additional support, training, and project activities for providers and local authorities through a formal commissioning process. Commissioning will start after the receipt and analysis of the first SEF returns in September 2012. It is expected such support will be commissioned with a variety of voluntary and community organisations, and small and medium sized enterprises on a local, regional and national basis, according to what local authorities are identifying they and providers in their area need. Mott MacDonald’s project director, Andy Guest said: “This is a high profile policy area and one of the very few being given additional funding in this parliamentary term. Mott MacDonald and Hempsall’s are looking forward to working alongside the department, local authorities and providers to support the implementation of this important programme to increase access to early education for less advantaged two-yearold children.” A2YO’s National Support Director, James Hempsall continues: "We are totally committed to ensuring resources and support are targeted to need and offer a real benefit for both local authorities and providers. The process will enable us to jointly identify needs and commission an extensive programme of support from our other partners to achieve these outcomes."
Making contact A2YO encourage providers to contact the local authority in the first instance for information about how they are working together and emerging support for providers. They also recommend registration with the www.foundationyears.org.uk website and the regular email newsletter. General enquiries are directed to the project management office (PMO) Achieving2yoProviders@mottmac.com 01223 463792.
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Early Years and Childcare • News & Information
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) ‘Widget’ available on Sandwell website
Ofsted updates
There is now a new ‘Are you ready for your inspection?’ document available on the Ofsted website (see link below). http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/are-youready-for-your-inspection-guide-inspections-ofprovision-ofsteds-childcare-and-early-years-r The new evaluation schedule for inspections of Early Years provision is also available: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/evaluationschedule-for-inspections-of-registered-earlyyears-provision
If you are registering as a Childminder, thinking of setting up a childcare business or an existing provider, then the widget is for you. The HMRC Tax Widget provides useful information for businesses in relation to tax; including, setting up your business, completing your first tax form, taking on new staff and building your business for the future. By clicking on the buttons you will gain access to various useful documents and video diaries designed to enhance your knowledge of and answer any questions you may have in relation to tax. The widget will be located on www.sandwell.gov.uk/familyinfo and will be available from earlier 2013. As the advert says ‘tax doesn’t have to be taxing.’ 8
Childminders and their assistants: The new EYFS guidelines for Childminders that work with assistants state that: •
Childminders are accountable for the quality and competency of any assistants
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Children may be left in the sole care of a childminders assistant for two hours at most in a single day.
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Childminders must obtain parents/carers permission to leave children with an assistant including for a very short period of time.
If you require any further information, please contact the Quality Early Years and Childcare Team on 0121 569 4960.
Early Years and Childcare • Day Nurseries & Children’s Centres News & Information
First Aid Training Really Does Save Lives Good practice dictates that all early years professionals and children’s centre teams are fully trained in first aid to ensure the safety of children accessing services. Luckily for many these are skills that they develop but never have to call upon, however this is not always the case. Family Support Worker, Nillie Khaan from Burnt Tree Children’s Centre was recently spending a day off with her own family in a local park when she found herself having to call upon her life saving skills. A small toddler had lost his family and fallen into the park’s lake. He had stopped breathing and the adults in attendance were not managing to revive him. Nillie’s fast thinking enabled her to use her CPR skills and after three attempts managed to resuscitate the child before the ambulance arrived on site. We are pleased to report that the child made a full recovery although we understand from his grandmother that he doesn’t want to take a bath now! Richard Beckett Director of Operations for Murray Hall Community Trust, the lead agency for Burnt Tree said “All staff within Murray Hall and in children’s centres in Sandwell always go the extra mile and try to make a difference to children and families. In this case we are extremely proud of Nillie for having the composure to turn what could have been a fatal incident into one of joy. She exemplifies the dedication, professionalism and desire to do good that we all should aspire to” The incident was reported in the local press without naming Nillie, we feel the record needs to be set straight and for all to recognize Nillie’s remarkable and selfless action – well done!
West Bromwich North Children Centre Cluster – transfer to Barnardo’s. On 1st August 2012 Barnardo’s took over the contract as lead provider for the West Bromwich North Children Centre cluster in Sandwell. This cluster includes two children centres; Hillside Children’s Centre and Great Barr and Hamsted Children’s Centre. Both these children centres were originally set up and developed by local schools ( Ferndale J&I and Penny Hill J&I ) and remain based in buildings based on these school sites. The transfer to Barnardo’s and merging into West Bromwich Children’s Centre cluster has gone extremely well and we feel this is all credit to the flexibility and motivation of the children centre staff team and the schools who have worked so hard to establish excellent early years services for families in these communities. The recently appointed strategic children centre manager, Tracey Demers has fedback that she feels this is a really exciting opportunity for everyone involved, children, families and staff. Barnardo's have enabled us to develop our staff
team to allow us in turn to develop the services we deliver within the communities. Support from Barnardo's for everyone involved in this transition has been fantastic and has helped both Centres transfer with very little disruption to service delivery – therefore minimum impact on children and families. Barnardo’s are looking forward to working with the staff team, partner organisations and children and families living and working in West Bromwich North to both build on the existing service which is so clearly valued. In the coming months they will be consulting with the community to establish the priorities for families with children under 5 and to develop a delivery plan that responds to these identified needs. For further information or if you would like to be involved please contact Tracey Demers on 0121 588 5431 or 0121 357 3326. Email tracey.demers@barnardos.org.uk
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Early Years and Childcare • Day Nurseries & Children’s Centres News & Information
Wednesbury Cluster, Rowley Cluster and Oldbury Cluster Transfer to Health for Living Health consortium secures £7.7m Sandwell Children’s Centre contract A consortium launched to improve the health and well-being of thousands of people in Sandwell has secured a £7.7 million contract to manage children’s centres in the borough. Health for Living, set up by the Accord Group, Black Country Housing Group, Murray Hall Community Trust and Sandwell Mind, will work with prime partner and national charity Family Action, to run eight of the 21 children centres in Sandwell after exchanging contracts with the local authority. The new contract, which started Wednesday, 1 August will build on the strengths of the existing children’s centres, providing a range of services for children and families such as childcare, parental support and early education. Health for Living will also expand the reach of the centres by offering services to young people aged from 0-19 years old and forging closer links between the children’s centres and other services such as schools, libraries, employment agencies and health bodies. Richard Beckett, Director of Operations for Murray Hall Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract and believe that our combined skills and expertise in care and support will help us to deliver excellent children’s centres. “Working in partnership with local parents and services such as schools, we will be reshaping a number of services provided at the centres and we will also be working closely with various organisations to promote access to job and training opportunities.” Health for Living is a unique consortium of housing associations and charities which work together to transform the health and well-being of people in Sandwell, tackling health inequalities through the provision of a holistic range of services.
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Smethwick and West Bromwich South Transfer to Action for Children Following the tender process of the Sandwell Children’s Centres in August, Smethwick and West Bromwich South, were clustered under Action for Children. Action for Children is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities made up of approximately 7000 staff and 2000 volunteers. They provide services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and also support work in Southern Africa, the Caribbean and Central America. Our vision is of a world where all children and young people have a sense of belonging, and are loved and valued. A world where they can fulfil their potential, shape their destiny and experience the joy of life. Children’s centres play a fundamental part in helping young children get the best start in life. With over 250 centres across rural, urban and inner-city England, we’re helping over 90,000 children and families get the early support they need. Our values are Passion, Equality and Hope: • Passion – we are driven by our desire to help children and young people overcome injustice and disadvantage. •
Equality – we believe all children and young people have equal worth and equal rights.
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Hope – we believe in a child or young person’s potential, no matter what they have experienced or what they have done.
Action for Children works with a child – centred focus where the rights and needs of a child are prioritised. We aim to do this through multi-agency working and by building on the existing good work and partnerships that have been done in Sandwell previously. Volunteers are also a key element in ensuring that children’s needs are met. Action for Children recognises and values the important contribution volunteers make to the organisation by helping us to improve the quality of care for the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people. Since the takeover in August we currently have over 20 volunteers involved in providing services for our families.
Early Years and Childcare • Day Nurseries & Children’s Centres News & Information
Sandwell Children’s Centres New Lead Agencies and Clusters SMETHWICK CLUSTER – Action for Children Manager: Adam Cooper Smethwick Cape Hill and Windmill Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 555 6756 Centre Lead: Sally Millinson
Smethwick, Uplands and Londonderry Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 555 7371 Centre Lead: Debi Madden
Bearwood Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 555 6756 Centre Lead: Sally Millinson
Galton Valley Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 565 1289 Centre Lead: Patrina Clarke
WEST BROMWICH SOUTH CLUSTER – Action for Children Manager: Adam Cooper Greets Green Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 612 5131 Centre Lead: Ruth Ellison
Bright Futures Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 505 5739 Centre Lead: Samina Saudagar
West Bromwich Sure Start Children’s Centre Centre Lead: Pam Hesson WEST BROMWICH NORTH CLUSTER – Barnardos Manager: Tracey Demers Hillside Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel. 0121 588 5431
Great Barr & Hamstead Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel. 0121 357 3326 Ext. 3
WEDNESBURY CLUSTER – Health for Living Manager: Matt Lee Friar Park, Mesty Croft and Woods Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 556 5405
Wednesbury North Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel. 0121 526 5571
ROWLEY CLUSTER – Health for Living Manager: Marcia Stewart Rowley (Springfield) Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 559 9916
Rowley Hall Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 561 3746
Cradley Heath & Old Hill Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 01384 414777
Tividale Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel. 01384 245910
OLDBURY CLUSTER – Health for Living Manager: Maxine Burrows Oldbury Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 552 9248
Green Acres Children’s Centre Tel. 0121 421 7519
TIPTON CLUSTER – Murray Hall Community Trust Manager: Flis Parsons (Acting) Burnt Tree Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 522 5150
Tipton Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel: 0121 557 4341
Great Bridge Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel. 0121 270 7090 YOUNG PARENTS (BOROUGHWIDE) – Sandwell MBC Co-ordinator: Holly Galloway Young Parents Sure Start Children’s Centre Tel. 0121 521 1544
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Early Years and Childcare • FIS News and Information
Children and Young Adults Disability Register Sandwell Family Information Service now have the responsibility for the Children and Young Adults Disability and Special Needs Register which was previously held by Social Care. The Local Authority has a duty under the Children's Act 1989 to hold this Register. It is parental choice as to whether or not they wish their child/children to go on the Register. If you engage with families who have children and young adults with disabilities and special needs who would like to join this Register to receive regular information on services, events, activities etc please refer them to: Sandwell Family Information Service, Training and Development Centre, Popes Lane, Oldbury, B69 4PJ. Tel: 0121 569 4914
Email: family_information@sandwell.gov.uk
ASK FIS? How does my child get into a nursery education? All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to free nursery education for 12.5 hrs per week per term. The nursery education can either be at a school, or at an approved day nursery or playgroup. Full details of nursery education providers are available from the Family Information Service on 0121 569 4914
Will he/she get a place at the school where they receive their nursery education? Your child does not automatically receive a place at the school where they receive their nursery education. Whether your child attends a school, day nursery or playgroup for their nursery education, you need to complete an application form for your child to attend full time school. Your nursery education provider should give you an application pack. For further information contact Primary School Admissions on 0121 569 6765.
School Term Dates & Holidays Spring Term 2013
Easter Holidays
From: Monday 7 January To: Thursday 28 March
From: Friday 29 March To: Friday 12 April
Half Term Holidays From: Monday 18 February To: Friday 22 February
For further information on any of the above please contact Sandwell Family Information Service on 0121 569 4914 or email family_information@sandwell.gov.uk
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