Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Quality Interactions in Play- training now available
This is a self-led learning course available on the Learning Library via the School Readiness Passport.
This course has been built around the ShREC approach. The training has been designed so managers can deliver this session with their staff team.
See the attached information for further details.
Publishing Your Fee Policy – Are You Ready?
Childcare providers must publish their fee policies online by January 2026, including the costs of chargeable extras and the structure of funded hours. These additional charges must be voluntary, optional, and not a requirement to access funded hours. Invoices must be itemized to clearly show free entitlement hours versus any top-up or consumable fees. DfE suggested template attached and further useful information here.
To ensure compliance you will need to provide a link to your settings published fee policy, when answering spring term census questions. This may be your own webpage or your listing within the Family Services Directory.
Instructions on how to register/update your FSD records here. If you need any support, please contact earlyyearsteam@northumberland.gov.uk
Opportunity – Nursery Facility to rent
A fantastic opportunity to lease a fully equipped nursery facility within St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Alnwick – part of the Bishop Bewick Education Trust.
This self-contained space is perfect for an established or aspiring early years provider ready to make a difference in the community.
Please find further information attached.
Updates from Partners
Winnovation Training – Free Level 3 SEN and Makaton training
Please see flyer attached for further information including how to Register.
Planned downtime of Onecall telephone number
Onecall is one number for all children’s services and safeguarding in Northumberland.
Our Onecall number (01670 536400) is being migrated to a new provider on Tuesday, 2 December at 5pm.
The provider has advised that we should allow for up to two hours for the migration to be completed, although usually it is much quicker.
During this time, the automated message advising people what to do if they need urgent out of hours assistance will not be available.
If you need to contact the team during the downtime, please dial 01670 825527.
Grants for Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs Across England
A national effort to strengthen early years provision is offering grant support to Lead Settings seeking to operate Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs across England. The programme aims to help early years providers adopt evidence-informed practice and improve environments for children.
Grant funding of up to approximately £240,000 per hub, per financial year is available.
Applications must come from a Lead Setting, which must be a group-based early years setting, including school-based, private, voluntary, independent or maintained nursery schools. Each submission must also name two to four Partner Settings, which may be group-based early years settings or Childminders.
The funding is intended to establish and run Hubs that distribute evidence-informed guidance through newsletters, blogs, events, webinars and social media. Hubs are also expected to strengthen networks of early years providers to support shared practice and improved outcomes for children. Additional activity includes offering a clear route for advice, helping educators access professional development and directing them to approved training.
Lead Settings must ensure effective local coverage, skilled staffing and sound financial management. They will also support the Best Start in Life Strategy by appointing Subject Leads and Stronger Practice Advisers and working with Local Authorities and Family Hubs.
The deadline for applications is 16 January 2026. To apply, follow the link here.
Upcoming Events
Getting Ready to Write
Our upcoming face to face training session, supporting practitioners from Nursery to Year 1 to develop the knowledge and skills they need to provide a holistic writing offer for EY children.
Book now via the School Readiness Passport
- Free for SLA members
- £40 for non- SLA members
See the attached flyer for more information.
Free Acas Webinars
Acas are running a series of Employment Law webinars in December. They also offer several past webinar recordings. Please click on the link for more details.
