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Early Years News Oct 2

October 25, 2024

FAO Solihull Early Years and Childcare Leads,

Ofsted best start

The last part of the Ofsted research review has now been published focussing on specific areas of learning. Link- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-in-life-a-research-review-for-early-years/best-start-in-life-part-3-the-4-specific-areas-of-learning

Solihull Joint Additional Needs Strategy Survey- reminder

This is just a reminder about the surveys to seek feedback on our work within the Additional Needs Strategy and SEND transformation plan. The survey will run until 1st November 2024 and will inform our annual report and priority areas for next year. Please share with parents in your setting.

All surveys are on the SEND and Additional Needs Engagement Hub but for ease of circulation the direct links are:

There is also a survey specifically for people working with children and young people with additional needs and their families so we can gain your views about the successes and challenges in your areas of work. This is also on the engagement platform: https://yourvoicesolihull.uk.engagementhq.com/embeds/projects/28905/survey-tools/40186 and as well as helping assess our priorities for next year, feedback will also help with our inspection preparation.

Many thanks
Charlotte Jones
Head of Strategy; SEND & Additional Needs

Early Years Inclusion Fund [EYIF]- a slight change to the application form

The last panel suggested slight tweaks to the EYIF guidance and application. We have added a reference to no recourse to public funds and merged the application section asking how you intend to use the EY inclusion fund with the original prompts. Please check that you haven’t already been awarded this funding before applying [check provider portal] to save you time.

Application link- https://www.solgrid.org.uk/eyc/eef/early-years-inclusion-funding-for-early-education-funded-children/

Dingley’s Promise- reminder to complete your training

If half-term is a quieter time for you, then you might like to finish the Dingley’s training you have started. We have 2 new modules starting soon, so it would be good if you were able to conclude existing modules.

https://dingley.org.uk/dingleys-promise-training/early-years-inclusion-programme/ – free Comic Relief funded training.

Support for settings and children under 2 years-old.

Karen Neal is our new Early Years Team support practitioner who is focussing her support on quality for under 2s. To find out more about Karen and her work see the attached document below or click here. As baby week [14-20th November] approaches, you may want to signpost to, and look at, the BBC Tiny Happy People support for this age group -for example ….https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/6-9-month-old-baby-development-activities , and the activities suggested in Karen’s flier.

Reminders ………

SSCP training

Thank you for the SSCP -safeguarding training planning information submitted so far. The link is here as a reminder to let us know what you hope to complete this year. The evening early help training is a popular request. Click here to complete online survey https://training.solihulllscp.co.uk/Course/CoursesDetailListing.aspx

Mix and Mingle – next event Wednesday 6th November.

This event is at the Council House between 4.30pm and 6pm– go to the Orchard House reception [entrance opposite Touchwood]. Come along and talk to colleagues and LA reps [planning for EY and wrap around places/ family information service/ early years including  SEND, business and community support]

https://forms.office.com/e/wELenU5sLP?origin=lprLink