Early Years

EYFS Conference 2026: Wired to Learn Discover the neuroscience behind early childhood at the 2026 EYFS Conference: Wired to Learn, a specialised professional development event for Early Career Teachers, new EYFS leads, and practitioners. Hosted by the Three Rivers Professional Development Institute and Cheviot Learning Trust, this conference explores how developmental cognitive neuroscience can enable […]

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years Sustainability and Climate Change Audit Many settings may already have a range of tools and resources in place to support sustainability and address climate change within their practice. For those that do not, and are now beginning to consider this area of work, the following information and Audit

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team New Parent Declaration Form  Please find attached the new parent declaration form. This is in a new format and must be used for new children going forward.  2nd headcount SPR 2025-26 If you require a 2nd headcount form for disadvantaged funded 2 year olds (EY2C codes only) who have; started accessing

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Early Years Rates 26/27  Following the recent consultation, please find attached the published rates for 26/27.  Practitioner Survey – Please share your views  We would like to invite you and any staff you work with to complete this survey to share your views and experience of

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Updated Key Dates Summer  Please find attached an updated version of the Key Dates for Summer term. If you have saved these anywhere, please ensure you replace with this version. Early Years Leaders Briefing Spring Term  Please find attached the slides from the Spring Term Leaders

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Informing you about the proposals for Early Years funding rates in Northumberland for the financial year 26/27  Please see letter attached. Termly Census 26/27 The DfE directive to apply termly census points for early years funding reduces previous financial flexibility in allocations, as funding

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Upcoming Deadline – Setting level data (PVIs ONLY) You must complete the questions module in your Wizard account by Friday 23rd January to ensure you can be funded in spring term 26. Failure to complete this information will affect your funding payment.  Please note –   Publishing Your Fee Policy – Are

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Spring 2025-26 Headcount (PVI’s ONLY) The pre-populated headcount forms are now available in your SPR 2025-26 file.  To locate your file, go to Drive > click on the search in drive bar > type in your provider ref > click on the file with your

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Spring 2025-26 Headcount (PVIs Only) The pre-populated headcount forms are now available in your SPR 2025-26 file. Please complete by Friday 16th January.  To locate your file, go to Drive > click on the search in drive bar > type in your provider ref > click

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Disability Access Fund 25-26  Do you know enough about DAF? There is still just over £160,000 in our budget, with only 1 term left of the financial year. We are desperate to send this out to providers with children who receive DLA. PLEASE CHECK

Schools, community groups, clubs, societies and other not-for-profit organisations based and working in England can apply now for grants of up to £5,000 for projects that help to improve the education and development of children and young people (between the ages of six and 22 years) in England. The funding

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Funding breakdowns for autumn 2025 The funding breakdowns for Autumn 2025 are now available in your Wizard account. Please log in at your earliest convenience to review the details.  If you have any questions or need support accessing the information, feel free to get in touch. earlyyearsteam@northumberland.gov.uk

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

Dear Colleagues, Updates from the Team Online Safety  Useful tips to share with parents, especially with the run up to Christmas; https://www.getsafeonline.org/onlinebuying https://www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite https://www.getsafeonline.org/purchasescams 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