DfE Updates to all education and childcare settings and providers
December 19, 2022
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Some of the latest Early Years actions and information:
ACTION: A reminder for all education, childcare and children’s social care settings to review their emergency and contingency plans
Each setting should have contingency plans in place for foreseeable risks, detailing what you would do and how you would respond if you needed to take any temporary actions in the event of an emergency.
As we are entering winter months, emergency plans should be reviewed and include robust contingency plans for a wide range of winter scenarios, such as disruption caused by severe weather (including where this may impact transport or food), power outages or high levels of seasonal illness.
Our emergency planning guidance provides further guidance and support.
ACTION: A request for childcare providers to register with their childcare regulator
Thousands of families are missing out on government-funded childcare support. By registering with your childcare regulator, you can unlock support for more parents and carers, and boost your business at the same time.
You don’t have to be a nursery or childminder. You can also sign up if you run:
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· breakfast and after-school clubs · holiday clubs · play schemes |
We have developed a provider toolkit, which contains a step-by-step guide on how to register and promote government-funded childcare support to families using your service.
You can also use our parent toolkit to raise awareness of the campaign and direct your parents and carers to the Childcare Choices website, which has all the information they need about the funding that eligible families could get to help pay for their early years and school-aged childcare needs.
ACTION: A request for contributions to the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification consultation
We are consulting on a revised criteria for the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification.
The qualification criteria were last updated in 2014. NCFE, an education charity and leader in vocational learning, conducted the review of the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification and criteria over the summer, and we are now consulting on their recommendations for improvements.
Please review the suggested criteria and let us know your views. The consultation closes on Monday 23 January 2023.
ACTION: An invitation for early years practitioners and childminders to join the early years professional development programme – phase 3
Our early years professional development programme: phase 3 will offer a high quality CPD programme to early years practitioners across England through online self-study and regular facilitated webinars. Areas covered include:
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· early communication and language · early mathematics · personal, social and emotional development |
You can find more information about the programme, which is available to qualified Level 3 practitioners or childminders working with disadvantaged children aged 2-4 years.
We are now looking for candidates to take part in the full programme from February 2023. To express an interest, please discuss with your setting manager and apply through the website.
Further information on the early years education recovery package is also available.
ACTION: An invitation to apply for the National Professional Qualification in 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 better organisational leaders 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.The next cohort commences in February 2023 and a further two funded cohorts will be offered in 2023/2024.
We’re looking for participants who are leaders or aspiring leaders from private, voluntary, independent and school-based nurseries, and childminders with leadership responsibilities for the February 2023 cohort.
Find out more about the eligibility criteria and apply now.
INFORMATION: Guidance for all settings on Scarlet Fever and Group A infections
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reporting an increased number of cases of Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) compared to normal at this time of year.
For more information visit the UKHSA website or the Education Hub.
Resources will be made available in due course on the online resource centre.
INFORMATION: An update on early years stronger practice hubs
The first 13 early years stronger practice hubs have been appointed.
Hubs will support other nurseries and childminders in their area to adopt evidence-based practice improvements.
Please email any questions to our delivery partner, the National Children’s Bureau. Further details will soon be made available about how early years educators can access support from the hubs.
Contact the Department for Education
The Department for Education helpline is available to answer your general queries.