Early Years News Nov 24

November 8, 2024

FAO Solihull early years and childcare leads

Mark of Achievement tracker- Dingley’s Promise

You may already be using the posters to track and celebrate your commitment to inclusion training and access to Dingley’s Promise training. We have added a lead tracker – so that you can see if you are ready to apply for your Mark of Achievement from Dingley’s. The MoA tracker is saved here – https://www.solgrid.org.uk/eyc/training/training-from-other-providers/  > Dingley’s Promise

Solgrid EYC- new page 

We have a new webpage – with a focus on recruitment and retention, to recognise this challenging area. We will also celebrate how settings support well-being to encourage staff retention. See the results of our recent survey – https://www.solgrid.org.uk/eyc/resources/leaders-and-managers/recruitment-and-retention/

Recruitment- free advertising 

Please see the attached ‘DWP Find a Job instructions’ so you can create an account and post any current or upcoming jobs in your setting.  Providers should use the term ‘early years’ in their job advert titles and select ‘Education and childcare jobs’ as the job category.

Ofsted ‘Big Listen’ response.

A summary of changes Ofsted are making as a result of their survey can be seen in the video here-

• What will change for the early years in response to our Big Listen?
• https://earlyyears.blog.gov.uk/ – childminder changes

Thursday 14^th November 2024 6.30-8.30pm Childminder network 

Join your peers and Early Years Team members to discuss early years funding paperwork and share business tips. You may have questions linked to the Leaders and Managers briefing presentation and new guidance for childminders.

Jenna Handley – our business support team member, shares these top tips

• Milk > Every child under the age of five is entitled to a free 189ml (1/3 pint) serving of milk whilst in attendance at a registered day care provider for two or more hours a day. To avoid any administrative and financial burden you can use milk suppliers who can offer a milk scheme that is free and simple.
• You might want to sign up to earn money through your parents spending power – https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/getting-parents-fundraise-%E2%80%94-without-asking-them-extra-cash
• Do you understand your ‘break even’ point? This is crucial to effective business planning

…join Jenna and childminders attending this meeting to find out more

Solihull school ready definition

We have recorded a presentation to accompany the school readiness definition for Solihull. We’d like to further support people’s understanding of this definition. Please take a look https://www.solgrid.org.uk/eyc/ home page – definition [Click here to view] and accompanying video Click here to view recording

Solihull Daycare – early years leads meeting

Join leads from other settings and the Solihull Daycare team on Tuesday 19^th November between 2.30 and 4pm at the setting. Solihull Daycare is in Park Avenue, B91 3EN.

See https://www.solgrid.org.uk/eyc/training/special-events/

Advance notice of training for those who support out of school care- 10.4.2025

Ali Wood, author and director of The Youth Opportunities Board in Solihull, is joining us to talk about supporting play- including risky play. Further information to follow about this session.

The voice of the child

This NSPCC voice of the child video collection may be helpful viewing for lead safeguarding practitioners in early years and childcare.

The voice of the child: expert insights | NSPCC Learning

What is your favourite piece of music? Do you like it because it is lively and makes you want to dance or helps you feel calm and relaxed? Do you share different music with children and ask what their favourite music is at home? How do they respond to the different music?

Think about the different music the young children in your care experience with you. Expose them to different sounds and cultures as well as sharing their preferences. Choose music alongside nursery rhymes in World Nursery Rhyme Week next week [11^th]. Search for baby’s reactions to music for a range of emotions babies display when they hear different sounds in music and song to see the impact music can have. I especially liked the baby laughing when his mum created ‘heavy metal’ music. 😊

Have you arranged your free session with Solihull Music? https://www.solgrid.org.uk/eyc/training/