Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Paediatric First Aid at Work Training
Four places are now available for the Paediatric First Aidcourse (face-to-face session on the 6th of December).
First come, first served – don’t miss out!
Additional date added for Paediatric First Aid at Work
Great news! Due to high demand, we’ve added an extra date for the Paediatric First Aid at Work course.
New Date: Thursday 11th December 2025
Venue: Northern Training Partnership, Ashington, NE63 8AP
Childhood Immunisation Programme
The School Immunisation Team would like the help of all settings in the roll out of local childhood vaccines. Please see more information below.
For Autumn Winter season 2025/26, children who are aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023) can get the flu vaccine as usual at their GP surgery (from 1 September 2025).
Also, pharmacies can offer NHS children’s flu vaccination (from 1 October 2025).
There is also the opportunity for families to book into the school immunisation team’s community clinics using the QR code and booking code on the attached poster. These clinics are available on evenings and weekends for a more convenient offer for families.
If you would like to take advantage of this service please complete a consent form and an invite to book into a clinic will be sent to you via email. Please note this booking code is only for nursery children. If you have other children in the family please complete your consent form using the code your child’s school would have sent you.
Please see leaflet attached for bar code and consent.
Please share information widely with parents.
If you would like to offer these vaccines from your setting please contact Caroline.Smith@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk
Experienced Based Route(EBR)
The experience-based route is a way for experienced early years practitioners who do not have a full and relevant level 3 qualification to be able to count in the staff:child ratios at level 3. They must have a full and relevant L2 early years qualification to be considered.
This is not a qualification. Upon successful completion, practitioners are awarded with L3 status. Please click on this link for more information.
If you would like to discuss please contact theresa.kirkwood@northumberland.gov.uk
Updates from Partners
Launchpad for Literacy CPD
We would like to share our most recent Newsletter with schools and settings across Northumberland – Newsletter 1: Gap Identification in The Early Years & Beyond
We hope you find the content and the linked CPD recordings within it useful for Professional Learning & Growth. We are hoping it provides an extra layer of support for your use of the Launchpad for Literacy Toolkit.
See attached information
Free tree scheme is back for another year
Northumberland County Council’s free tree scheme is back again with individual saplings and packs up for grabs.
Free tree scheme is back for another year | Northumberland County Council
Work Placement Volunteers
Choices College provide tailored internships for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties, disabilities, and Autism. Some hidden.
They partner with local organisations to create supported work experience. Interns spend up to a year learning maths, English and employability skills and can attend up to three, 12 week placements. Many have gained employment quickly following their first 12 weeks, so the pace is really based on the individual learner and the setting.
Placements are term time only. Four interns between the ages of 16 and 19 in the central and south east area of the county are looking for a work placement.
A copy of their profile can be shared with settings who are able to support. For more information please email theresa.kirkwood@northumberland.gov.uk
Child Safety
Shared on behalf of Children and Young People Safety Reference Group and CAPT.
With Diwali, Halloween and Bonfire Night all quickly approaching this is one of the most exciting times of the year for children. But it can also be one of the most dangerous.
Did you know that sparklers burn 16 times hotter than a kettle? Or that powerful rockets unsuited to family back gardens are on sale to parents online?
Help the families you work with keep safety in mind by reading and sharing our safety advice. Including:
- Stay safe this Diwali poster with four top tips
- Child-friendly safety tips from Fireman Sam
- Safety messages and activity ideas for early years settings
- Fireworks buying guide
- Top tips for safe fireworks at home
- What to do in an emergency
75 Free Places for the NDNA Maths Champions Programme
The Maths Champions Programme is a professional development scheme designed to significantly increase practitioner knowledge, awareness, and confidence in supporting early mathematics to improve outcomes for children. It is an online, 12-month programme that involves nominating a ‘Maths Champion’ and a ‘Deputy Maths Champion’ to lead improvement within their setting. It provides bespoke training, play-based activity ideas, and tailored support to embed excellent mathematical practice through play and interactions.
The Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub have fully subsidised 75 places for the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Maths Champions Programme, meaning these places are available completely free of charge.
Places are available to school based nurseries, academy nurseries, nursery schools and PVI settings. You must have 3&4 year olds attending the setting to be eligible.
To register your interest, you simply need to follow the link or use the QR code provided on the flyer to place an expression of interest. The NDNA will then contact you directly with further information and details on accessing the programme.
