WE1 Early Years

Education action cards have been published outlining what settings should do to manage a possible outbreak.

Public Health England has produced and published education action cards which provide key steps to quickly identify and contain any potential COVID-19 outbreak. The Action Cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on-hand in your business or organisation.

Within the ZIP folder that you can download here, you'll find the following Action Cards:

Children's homes
Early years settings
Further education
Higher education
Primary, secondary and special schools, and alternative provision for schools
Residential settings in education

For any queries regarding these resources please contact: jbcactioncards@dhsc.gov.uk

Free online training from I CAN – supporting speech, language and communication needs in early years settings

Free webcasts and live webinars designed and produced by specialist speech and language therapist advisors. These provide early years practitioners, managers and SENCOs with an opportunity to consider how best to support children with SLCN.

I CAN have also arranged new dates so that each participant has a chance to discuss the changes that they are making following the two webcasts and also to ask any questions. These dates are:

Friday 25th September – 10:30 – 12noon
Wednesday 7th October – 10:30 – 12noon
Monday 12th October – 7 – 8:30pm
Wednesday 4th November – 7 – 8:30pm
Monday 30th November – 3 – 4:30pm
Wednesday 30th January – 7 – 8:30pm
Thursday 28th January – 10:30 – 12noon
Wednesday 10th February – 2 – 3:30pm
Wednesday 24th February – 7 – 8:30pm
Thursday 11th March – 9:30 – 11am

View the webcasts and book your place.

Look out for the new in-depth training which we will be delivering through webinars. More details to follow soon.

Contact eysend@ican.org.uk for further information.

Find more details here.

Early years support package to help close Covid language gap

Targeted funding for Reception pupils to help schools boost early language skills.

Reception-age children will benefit from a multi-million pound package of funding to boost their early language skills.

Schools are being urged to sign up for an early years ‘catch up’ programme focused on raising outcomes in speaking and language skills among young pupils whose education has been disrupted by Covid-19 at a crucial time for their development.

Up to £9 million is available for the programme to provide schools with training and resources, helping them deliver one-to-one and small-group support for five-year-olds whose spoken language skills may have suffered as a result of the pandemic.

The investment is part of the National Tutoring Programme, a key plank of the Government’s £1 billion Covid catch-up package announced in June. Every state funded school which has a Reception class will be invited to apply for this support, with priority given to schools with a high proportion of disadvantaged pupils.

Please find the full article here.

#backtoschoolsafely campaign

The #backtoschoolsafely campaign details the safety measures schools have taken to help stop the spread of viruses, like coronavirus (COVID-19) in schools and colleges as all students return this September.

The campaign encourages all to return to school as it’s crucial for children’s learning, mental wellbeing, friendships and a sense of routine. It also advises pupils and parents on how to stay alert on their journey to school.

There is a need to reassure parents and carers as they take steps to prepare to send their children back to school. The following campaign assets and guidance inform and reassure parents and carers on the measures which are being taken to minimise the risks and encourage families to send their children back to school.

Summary of assets:

Parent reassurance leaflets for primary and secondary schools and nurseries & childminders

HMG ‘Back to School’ campaign static social media graphics

HMG ‘Back to School’ campaign posters

HMG ‘Back to School’ web banners

HMG ‘Back to School’ digital screens

HMG ‘Back to School’ email signatures

HMG ‘Back to School’ customisable digital assets

Reducing risks in schools video

Protective measures video

Travelling to school video

Returning to school animation (coming soon)

School leader pack - Parent communications

You can find more information and download parents leaflets here.

Looking for childcare in Warwickshire?

We understand that childcare needs are changing rapidly during theses times.

Warwickshire Family Information Service (FIS) manage the Warwickshire childcare register which lists all ofsted registered childcare providers.

You can do your own search here:

https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childcare

Simply enter your postcode and search for childcare options near to you. Includes pre-schools, nurseries, childminders, after school clubs and holiday clubs.