FIS Newsletter January 2012

Family Information Service.

Volume 3, Issue4 January 2012

‘Everybody Counts’ Event

Grand Theatre Swansea

FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE NEWSLETTER

CITY & COUNTY OF SWANSEA

Wednesday 14th March 2012 Doors Open 6.00pm 6.30pm – 8.30pm Building on past successes Development Officers from partner childcare organisations, supported by Swansea Family Information Service will be holding a networking event on the 14th March 2012.

The event will be a fun and interactive evening for City & County of Swansea Childcare providers and Early Years practitioners to network, share examples of good practice and discuss local childcare needs.

There will also be opportunities to participate in a training session provided.

Other items of interest will include feedback from the most recently conducted Childcare Sufficiency Assessment which the majority of CSSIW registered provision contributed to by providing details about their service thus enabling the FIS to inform Welsh Government of the current supply of childcare in the local area, and comparing this to the childcare needs of parents.

Invitations will be sent out in due course but for further information please contact Chris Jones from the Swansea Family Information Service on 01792 517222 or email Chris.Jones3@swansea.gov.uk

Healthy & Sustainable Preschool Scheme Launch

Healthy & Sustainable Preschool Scheme Launch

Introduction to the Pre School scheme

Venue: Richard Ley Development Centre, Upper Fforest Way, Swansea Vale, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA7 0AN

How to promote health in the Pre School setting

Time: 09.15-13.30 (lunch provided at 12.30) Date: 21/02/2012

Please reply ASAP to: sphtadmin@nphs.wales.nhs.uk Or call 01792 607500 Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis

For more information call Catrin Jones on 01792 607375

Do you know who your Development Officer is?

For relevant help, support and guidance please contact the most appropriate Development Officer for your service who will be more than happy to help, they are ……………………………….

National Childminding Association – Elinor Stafford -01792 572073/ 572060.

Children’s Play Team – Kelly Wake – 01792 635480 Mudiad Meithrin – Judith Grigg 07800540429 Wales Pre-School Providers Association – Rebecca Hollis – 07923414510 or 01792 781108 Menter Iaith – Shelley Rees - 01792 460906 Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids'Clubs – Sian Jewell - 01792 462502 or 07966792416 Family Information Service– Laura Rose / Andrew Pompa – 01792 517222 Early Years Childcare – Claire Wilkins – 01792 517222 Grant Support Officer, FIS – Christopher Jones – 01792 517222 Sandra Spratt, Children and Young People's Disability & Family Development Officer 01792 544019.

Get the Library Bug!!

Did you know that childcare settings and childminders in Swansea can get a Library card enabling them to access children’s books across all Swansea Libraries.

Childcare settings and playgroups can get a card which enables them to take up to 10 books for an extended loan period of 9 weeks with no late return charges.

Registered childminders can take up to 10 children’s books for 3 weeks again with no late return charges and can also borrow DVD’s at a reduced rate of £1.75 for a weeks loan.

Children under 4 can take part in the Swansea Libraries Book crawl where they can collect special stickers and after 4 visits will receive a Book crawl Certificate and free book.

Swansea Libraries operates rhyme time sessions for the under 5’s in the majority of its Libraries as well as a full programme of holiday activities for school age children.

For further information contact the Swansea libraries website at Swansea.gov.uk/libraries or contact Library line on 636174

Quality Practice Grant The Family Information Service (FIS) has set up a grant opportunity to support quality practice within CSSIW registered childcare settings.

Application documents have been posted and sent electronically to all CSSIW registered settings they are also available on the Family Information service website www.swansea.gov.uk/fis .

The closing date for applications is 23rd of January 2012.

If you require further information, please contact Christopher Jones, Grant Support Officer on 01792 517222.

Big Toddle

Big Toddle, Big Fun! If you work with children under 5 then the Barnardo’s Big Toddle is for you!

Whether you are a nursery, an early year’s group or a childminder, register now for the Big Toddle 2012.

What is the Big Toddle?

The Barnardo’s Big Toddle is the biggest, brightest and best fundraising event for under 5s. It is a short, sponsored walk which last year saw almost 500,000 Toddlers and more than 10,000 groups register. The Big Toddle 2012 has an optional superheroes dressing up theme, so go ahead and get creative with your costumes!

What are we raising money for?

All the money raised by the Big Toddle goes to local Barnardo’s projects for children under 5 throughout the UK. The children’s charity works with vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families, this includes supporting children affected by poverty, homelessness, disability, bereavement and abuse. It’s all about children helping children.

How do you join the Big Toddle?

It has never been easier to take part in the Big Toddle, you can register online in minutes at www.bigtoddle.co.uk or call 0845 270 9900.

What’s in it for you?

The event helps children achieve core curriculum goals: • •

Being creative with the fancy dress theme will help children learn and develop Exploring new surroundings during their Toddle such as their local park or nature reserve will help children learn about new environments

The nurseries and other early years groups that take part can keep 25% of the money they raise to help buy materials and books, or to perhaps subsidise a trip.

What do supporters say about the Big Toddle?

Pre-school worker Karol Attenborough said: ‘We take part in the Big Toddle every year and the children thoroughly enjoy themselves. The fancy dress theme made it even more exciting and the kids raised lots of money for Barnardo’s too.”

Nursery worker Ann Steeps said: ‘We did a Big Toddle for the first time this year, parents came to watch and the children were so chuffed when they got their medals at the end, it was really lovely to see!”

Join in!

One to One Special Needs Referral Scheme For a “pilot” period the One to One Special Needs Referral Scheme will fund a childcare place for up to12 hours together with the one to one support staff costs for qualifying children.

This scheme will be available until 31st March 2012 when it will then be evaluated and reviewed in its entirety.

For further information please contact Sandra Spratt, Children and Young People's Disability & Family Development Officer on 01792 544019.

Health at Work – Advice line Wales 0800 107 0900 www.healthyworkingwales.com Health at Work Advice Line Wales is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL telephone service offering health at work advice to anyone who runs a small business or is employed by a small business.

The Line will be open 24 hours a day, with qualified professionals available 9-5 on weekdays.

Outside of these hours a call-back service will operate. If our advisors aren’t able to help you directly, they’ll put you in touch with someone who can.

WHAT ADVICE IS AVAILABLE? •

Screening for early signs of health related issues

•

How to deal with staff experience mental health conditions and physical health issues

•

Professional help on staff unable to work

•

Sickness absence and attendance management

•

Rehabilitation and Medical intervention

•

Lifestyle and well-being to maintain health

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES? The advice and support offered will help you to: •

Improve your mental and physical well-being

•

Manage your condition at work

•

Assist with a managed return to work which can help recovery

•

Keep more pay in your pocket

•

Minimise the risk of long term absence, social exclusion and the possibility of job loss

Also you can contact Workboost Wales on 0845 609 6006 or Visit www.workboostwales.org.uk for FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice.

Early Years Development Team 5th Floor – Oldway Centre 36 Orchard Street Swansea SA1 5LD 01792 635400 / 01792 517222 E-mail: fis@swansea.gov.uk Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/fis Keep updated on all the latest news by subscribing to our free service!