Thrive Together Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Spring / Summer Newsletter | |
This new research report from Ofsted indicates that prolonged engagement in early years education is linked to better educational outcomes, particularly for low-income children. The report examines global early years systems, highlighting recruitment and retention of skilled staff as universal challenges. It emphasizes that more countries are focusing on educational aspects of early years provision. Early years education generally emphasizes communication, social and emotional development, and physical development as foundational skills. The report argues that England, unlike many countries, has rigorous inspection and regulation, ensuring high standards across all early years provisions. Mandatory professional development for staff is expected in England, contrasting with its less common status internationally. The report is based on international research, surveys, and discussions with European early years representatives and academics. | | | |
|
Early Years Stage Government Consultation…Have your
say!
The Government has launched its consultation on the EYFS and providers have until the 26th July to respond to the changes that have been proposed. By clicking on the link below you will be able to view a summary of the proposed changes and give your responses via the Citizen Space platform.
| | |
|
New Oral Health Guidance
from the Department for Education is now available on the Help for Early Year Providers website.
The guidance:
- explains the importance of good oral health for early years children
- helps practitioners to meet the oral health requirement in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework·
- includes practical tips and activities to use in early years settings
- links to further reading and resources
| | |
Setting News, Updates & Resources | |
Caldmore Community Gardens - Childminder Pop Up Event | | | |
The childminder event was a lovely opportunity for local childminders to come together to share and chat. The children loved mixing together. There was so much to do at the community gardens, it was well thought out and put together.
The children played on the park and in the mud kitchens, they explored the sensory garden by picking flowers for their crowns. They planted seeds and they went pond dipping and explored the different creatures in the water. There was even a Gruffalo trail with maps giving the children the opportunity for numeracy and literacy.
Review by Maggie Dixon
| |
Update: DfE Childminder Mentor programme | |
-
Applications for childminders to request support from the DfE Childminder Mentor programme for the Autumn term are open until Monday 31st July 2023.
- This support is free and available across the country. Childminders may apply for support individually, or in a small group of up to 4 people.
- By joining the programme, childminders will receive the support of fellow early years professionals, who are passionate about supporting others to improve practice and outcomes for children.
-
Please see the application page to request support from the programme here: COVID-19 Recovery Childminders | Hempsalls
| |
Early Years Stage Government Consultation…Have your say!
The Government has launched its consultation on the EYFS and providers have until the 26th July to respond to the changes that have been proposed. By clicking on the link below you will be able to view a summary of the proposed changes and give your responses via the
Citizen Space platform.
Click to view the childminder consultation points
| | |
World of Stories Recruitment
Please see attached an opportunity for your school to join the World of Stories Programme 2023/24 – run by the national Literacy Trust. Schools will have access to:
● 400 new and diverse books from a range of publishers, plus an additional 100 titles the following year and access to a free online audiobook library
● Reading for pleasure training for two members of staff this academic year (one half-day flexible e-learning, two half-day live online workshops during the Spring term and two half-day face-to-face networking sessions) supporting you to develop and embed a culture of reading for pleasure
● The opportunity for staff to participate in an online twilight reading group once a half term, to share and widen knowledge of children’s literature titles
● Networking and outreach opportunities to build connections with local public library and school library services
● Access to funded author visits (live and/or online)
● Colourful resources to bring your library to life, including pupil librarian pack, bunting, posters and planning for key library calendar events
● Free National Literacy Trust Membership for a year and support from the National Literacy Trust Project team
Please apply direct to the National Literacy Trust
| |
Early Years Stage Government Consultation…Have your say!
The Government has launched its consultation on the EYFS and providers have until the 26th July to respond to the changes that have been proposed. By clicking on the link below you will be able to view a summary of the proposed changes and give your responses via the
Citizen Space platform.
Click to view the group-based and school consultation points
| | |
Five months after being judged Ofsted Outstanding, Walsall College’s on-site nursery is once again celebrating after scooping the top prize in the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Awards. Little Professors Nursery has been named Nursery of the Year 2023. | |
|
A spotlight on...
Little Owl Outdoor Childcare
Woodland Pre-school Nursery
The Nursery is set in the woodland grounds of Burntwood Rugby club on the edge of Chasewater Country Park.
We travelled down a winding footpath, where we discovered a magical, make-believe world under a canopy of nature. Deer and their young were visible in the distance along with scurrying squirrels and birds.
Click to read the full blog post
| | | |
|
The entire purpose of 1000 Hours Outside is to attempt to match nature time with screen time. If kids can consume media through screens 1200 hours a year on average then the time is there and at least some of it can and should be shifted towards a more productive and healthy outcome!
| | |
|
Build dens. Spot wildlife. Make natural art. We've got plenty of ideas to help families enjoy woods and the great outdoors all year round.
| | |
Summer Holiday Activities & Events | |
Walsall College are hosting a number of *free activities over the summer holidays for adults and children to get involved in!
Want to learn more about the dinosaurs, discover what life was like as a Roman or look into the world of space? Then visit us every Tuesday and Wednesday from 25th July, anytime between 10am – 2pm!
Click here to find out more
| |
Safari Holiday Clubs
During the summer holidays, book your child onto one of our amazing ‘Role of a Zookeeper’ holiday clubs, and leave it with us to give them a day of educational fun!
Click here to find out more
| |
Zog Activity Trail
Join Zog and his dragon friends on this brand new forest adventure. Collect the golden stars along the free trail, or download the free Zog: A Forest Adventure app and tackle the AR experience. Activity packs also available (£4pp), with dragon wings, stickers, Zog glasses and trail leaflet.
Click here to find out more
| |
Nature Tots at the Wolseley Centre
Nature Tots is an indoor and outdoor adult and toddler group run by Staffordshire Wildlife trust. Each week has a different theme; we could be bug hunting, marvelling at magic or exploring a story. All activities are designed to encourage your toddler's engagement with nature. So why not join us for crafts, trails and games.
Click here to find out more
| |
Art Play at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Our creative, sensory play sessions for families with babies and toddlers are led by artists and early years’ educators. Take time to relax, imagine and find inspiration together.
Click here to find out more
| |
The Big Bounce Events
Imagine an arena filled with inflatable assault courses, Wipeout Sweeper games, huge slides and much more. The Big Bounce brings fun & fitness together, challenging friends on games such as Human Wrecking Ball & Hungry Hippos
Click here to find out more
| |
|
PVIs & School Settings - Order your Free Tree Pack Now
Order your free tree pack now and shelter your students from the increasingly sweltering weather. Adding more trees to your green spaces could help you take more of your learning outdoors, starting with the planting itself!
Click here to order your tree pack today
| | |
Register for Fully-Funded Programmes
We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the following funded programmes.
| |
During the Learning Language and Loving It programme, you will learn practical strategies for helping children in the classroom to build language, emergent literacy and social skills, no matter what their learning and communication styles are, and even if they have special needs.
The strategies can be easily woven into everyday activities. Each strategy is designed to engage and maintain the interest of the child, making language and literacy-learning a fun and natural part of their day.
The programme will provide you with ample opportunity to practice each strategy with the children, and to receive feedback from your Programme Leader to help you adapt the strategies, as needed.
Participants will access 6 group workshops (each 2.5 hours) interspersed with 8 individual coaching sessions where participants use videos of their interactions with children to reflect on their practice.
Training will begin in October 2023 and will commence in May 2024
Register your interest here
| |
Our Number Sense Programme will help young learners to acquire the skills to develop a deep understanding of number. Through play-based counting activities, subitising and recognising patterns and relationships, children will develop a strong foundation in number that will support them to become stronger, more confident mathematicians.
Number Sense is an EEF funded research programme for 3-4 year olds, which has been written by Ryders Hayes in partnership with Roy Broadfield, Founder and Primary National Consultant, Impact in Learning and is a pre-cursor to the NCETM Maths Mastery programme for 4-5 year olds.
The programme will be delivered across Autumn 2023, with a completion date of January 2024, and will involve three online twilight professional development sessions
Register your interest here
| |
The Child-Led Book Talk programme is a targeted intervention for children in Nursery and Reception who have been identified as not currently meeting age-related expectations for communication and language.
Training will consist of one online 60 minute initial training for senior managers and the staff delivering the programme. This will be followed by seven 45 minute follow-up online training sessions.
Outside of the training ongoing coaching support will be available via email and Zoom. To support practitioners development the programme delivery team will provide feedback on filmed sessions.
Programme delivery will take place from October 2023 to March 2024.
This programme is open to school-based nurseries, childminders & PVIs who look after children aged 3-4 years.
Register your interest here
| |
|
National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL): is it for you?
The NPQEYL is a new continuing professional development (CPD) course which launched in October 2022 as part of the £180m Early Years Education Recovery Programme. If you’ve never heard of it or wondered what it’s like, let’s meet three PVI leaders who took the leap into studying the NPQEYL and find out more about their experience so far.
Read the full blog post here
For further information on the NPQEYL programme, click here
| | | |
TAs needing a childcare qualification to work in nursery | |
As many of you are aware TA’s are qualified to work in Reception Classes. In Maintained Nursery Classes there needs to be a qualified teacher and a qualified Level 3 childcare practitioner for 26 children (1 to 13 ratio). The Level 3 practitioner must be qualified to the government standard and their qualification featured on this list:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-qualifications-achieved-in-england
For larger classes of children, on a 1 to 13 ratio, half of the other staff in the room must be qualified to at least level 2.
I am aware that some of you have staff that cannot be counted as a Level 3 Childcare Practitioner, as they have a Level 3 TA qualification or and HLTA. In order to address this, there is a solution. Your staff member can train, whilst working, on an apprenticeship scheme using the apprenticeship levy. They would need to do the 18 month Early Years Educator Qualification (details below if you click on the first icon) The other two courses are for your information for other staff opportunities. Helena Baxter will help you navigate all of this to upskill your staff.
The Apprenticeship Levy gives schools/nursery schools the opportunity to ‘upskill’ existing employees to the Early Years Educator level 3 qualification through work based learning.
If you have any questions or would like more information contact Helena.baxter@walsall.gov.uk
| |
Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP)
The course covers the important areas of learning of C and L, PSED and Maths. It is an 8 month online learning programme to enhance skills and knowledge in children aged 2-4’s learning. It is delivered through eLearning, online facilitated webinars, videos, articles and recommended reading and trainer/ peer support. This course is OCN endorsed and participants will receive certification.
To find out more and register your interest please go to the website: www.earlyyearspdp.com
Early Years Online Child Development Training
This free, online training, developed by experts, provides an
overview of child development and gives practical advice for supporting children in your setting. It gives practitioner opportunities to reflect and reinforce upon their learning. It also links to other resources. Each module covers an important area of child development. The training is free for childminders and nurseries and again practitioners can gain certificates of completion.
To access this training please go to: https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/
National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)
The NPQEYL has been developed to increase knowledge of leadership in early years settings, strengthen staff approaches to teaching and learning, and support children whose development has been impacted by the pandemic. Participants will gain skills and confidence so they can deliver high-quality education and care to support children’s development, become a better organisational leader and develop staff so they can reach their full potential. The course is free, flexible and designed by sector experts to help professionals across the sector to develop their career. We are designing with our local, Manor Teaching School Hub, a bespoke programme starting in September/October 24 for settings and childminders with 6:30pm twilights and Saturday conferences. Please note this is an 18 month National Professional Qualification for Leaders in EYFS.
To find out more and enrol please go to: https://manorteachingschoolhub.com/npq/
Expert and Mentors Programme
This programme focuses on supporting EY’s practitioners and leaders to address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest children. The programme is available nationally, across England, until July 2024. Eligible early years practitioners, leaders and whole settings will be offered bespoke support to be delivered both face-to-face and virtually. The offer to settings will include leadership support, coaching for leaders, mentoring for practitioners and whole settings support, depending on needs.
To find out more please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-experts-and-mentors-programme
Early Years Level 3 SENCO Award (PVI Nurseries and Childminders only)
The Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification is for a level 3 practitioner in a private, voluntary or independent setting. It is also appropriate for Ofsted-registered childminders and Ofsted-registered childminder agencies. This is an important role to ensure the best possible educational outcomes are achieved for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
You can apply by following the link:
https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/early-years-SENCO#:~:text=training%20be%20delivered%3F-,The%20Level%203%20Early%20Years%20SENCO%20qualification%20is%20delivered%20over,group%20discussion%20and%20group%20training.
| |
Spotlight: Sally Miner - Strategic Lead | |
I haven’t always worked in education, actually starting my career as a physiotherapist and then a Health Service Manager in Walsall for both community and learning disability services. There are many parallels and transferable skills within the NHS which I brought with me into my teaching career as a mature student, which all began as a volunteer on my day off, when my first child started in Early Years, and I realised that I too wanted a career in the unique and life-changing field of education. | |
|
I am proud to have worked at Ryders Hayes School now for over 20 years, in various capacities, but as Head Teacher and latterly Executive Head Teacher from 2014. We have always been passionate about Early Years - the foundation and bedrock for everything that comes afterwards. I have been privileged to build and work alongside an incredible team of driven, caring, skilled and talented early years practitioners and leaders, including Victoria Day, our Assistant Head Teacher for Early Years, and Andrina Flinders, our Lead Practitioner at Thrive Together SPH. We share a deep understanding and responsibility to ensure that each and every one of our children have the best possible start in life, and are only too aware of the consequences long into adulthood if we were to fail them in their first steps as life-long learners. This was the driving force behind starting our two-year old provision 6 years ago.
Our heritage as a Teaching School for the last decade means that collaboration is in our blood! We have worked across the Black Country delivering EYFS programmes for more than 10 years, including leading on a large DfE Strategic School Improvement Fund Programme, Language First, based upon research from The University of Oxford, with 47 schools across the region. We successfully narrowed the gap for our target groups of boys and disadvantaged children and subsequently ran 4 more cohorts after the project finished. I have always enjoyed developing others and have been heavily involved in NPQs, leadership programmes and coaching. A great advocate for flexible working, we offer flexible working solutions through our People Strategy in order to attract and retain the very best practitioners and help other settings to do so too.
We try to be at the forefront of primary education, always ensuring that our practice is evidence-informed, from the development of our SCITT Trainees through to the leaders of tomorrow. It has been a pleasure and an absolute privilege to now head up the remarkable team which is Thrive Together SPH. Never before, with the impact of COVID, has there been such a need for the very highest-quality interaction with our very youngest children.
We look forward to collaborating with you…
| |
Is the content of this email relevant to you? | | | | | | |