EEF commissions new research on the impact of Covid-19 school and nursery closures
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has announced three new research studies designed to provide greater understanding of the strategies schools put in place to support pupils throughout Covid-19 closures, and the impact of these approaches on the disadvantage gap.
In June, the EEF published a rapid evidence assessment which concluded starkly that school closures will have reversed a decade’s progress in closing the disadvantage gap. However, the unprecedented circumstances of Covid-19 mean the evidence base remains limited.
Three new studies have been commissioned to help address that evidence gap, providing robust estimates of the changes to the disadvantage gap among primary-age children, as well as uniquely detailed information on how schools are supporting pupils’ wellbeing and learning this academic year.
The Early Years focussed work will be led by the University of York, NIESR and EPI will assess the impact of lockdown on the school readiness of new Reception children across England and their educational attainment and socio-emotional wellbeing over their first year of education.
Find more information here
The Best Start: Ready to learn, ready for life
A task group comprising early years practitioners from settings and childminders and Warwickshire Schools. alongside LA officers, Public Health and Health service colleagues have worked together to generate a shared view of what it means to be ready for School.
The group believe that:
'For a child to be school ready they will be an independent and curious learner, developed through positive interactions and investigation within safe, secure environments. They will be confident to communicate their needs, have the ability to regulate their emotions and will have become an emotionally resilient, happy child, who is supported by aspirational Parents/ Carers, Early Years settings and Schools'.
For this to be successful we also need, ready schools, ready early years providers and ready families.
To help to being this to fruition, a suite of electronic documents has been designed by the task group to support a consistent approach to school readiness between home, the early years setting, childminders and schools.
You can download the materials here:
Download the Warwickshire Early Years Transitions Tool Kit
They include:
- A trifold leaflet for families and professionals
- A policy document
- A summary policy for parents and carers
- A range of supportive resources
- A partnership agreement for all partners, schools, and early years providers
The purpose of the partnership agreement is for all organisations delivering early years services to agree a use a consistent approach across Warwickshire.
Whilst this is guidance, Amanda King, Strategic Lead for early years in Warwickshire is hoping for a large number of early education and childcare organisations to join the many partners who have pledged to support and implement the partnership agreement.
Amanda would also like to thank everyone who participated in the task group for their time and commitment.
Please click on the link below to complete the partnership agreement.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=BqqwiCdZu0uok4nMJxOsggjUA7ZmcSRChb3NAVWVMIxUQllHWDJWTTZGUDVRVlA4WUU4Vkk5T0tLSS4u
Once we have received the partnership agreement you will receive an electronic logo and certificate to use within your educational provision.
Early Years Wellbeing and Mental Heath
Warwickshire Educational Psychology Service has developed a webinar that will focus on principles that promote resilience, well-being and mental health for staff, parents/carers and children in the early years.
The webinar will aim to:
• Consider the impact on the pandemic on well-being and mental health
• Identify how we can continue to promote children’s well-being and readiness for learning and growth
• Consider how we can continue to promote staff/parent/carer wellbeing and resilience
• Identify and manage mental health needs affecting children through COVID-19
The Webinars will be delivered over 3 dates via Microsoft Teams:
- Wednesday 9th December 2020 – 6.30pm-8.30pm
- Wednesday 6th January 2021 – 6.30pm-8.30pm
- Monday 18th January 2021 – 1.00-3.00pm
This training is FREE— Places are limited and you may book up to two members of staff only for these Webinars, additional delegates on request.
Dates and times are available to book on the website.
if you have any queries please contact: admin.wey@welearn365.com.
Find here more.
Child Well-being Survey
Anna Freud Centre is asking early years staff to share experiences of children's wellbeing. Early years practitioners are being asked to participate in a survey to explore the mental health and wellbeing needs of children attending nurseries across the UK.
The survey can be accessed here.
The Black and Asian family Covid-19 Helpline
Barnardo’s has launched a vital new support service which we believe will make a positive difference to the lives of many Black, Asian and minority ethnic children, young people and their families impacted by Covid-19.
This is a UK-wide helpline, funded by the National Emergenices Trust which will focus on issues specifically affecting children, young people and families from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. The new service is a free telephone helpline and web chat facility for children, young people and families from these communities who are experiencing the long-lasting and wide-ranging impact of Covid-19. It will provide on-going support on a complex range of issues including mental health, bereavement, family break-down, neglect, back to school, parenting advice, counselling, family stress, discrimination, barriers to services and more.
Designated Lead Refresher Training
We have added an extra date for the Designated Lead Refresher - Saturday 27th February 2021.
Autumn term sold out very quickly and we now have very limited spaces left for Spring term, if you would like to book this date please click the link below:
https://www.warwickshireearlyyears.co.uk/…/designated-safeg…
If you have any queries please contact goldsworthy.s@welearn365.com.