Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Northumberland Family Hub App
As new families join your setting, we kindly ask you to share the link to the Family Hub app with them. The app has been developed in Northumberland, for Northumberland families. It contains a wealth of activity ideas and advice to support parents to chat, read and play with their little ones throughout their Early Years. The app now also contains a series of videos developed by the wonderful Family Hub staff, including videos which explain the Family Hub Peep programmes to families. The app is available on Apple and Android phones, follow this link for more information. For those of you with new reception starters, why not share the CBeebies Parenting Starting School webpage to help them support their child with their new school routines.
EYSTAR Guidance
Please find EYSTAR guidance attached. You can view the video here.
Elevating Leaders- Training Course for PVI leaders and managers
This course is about you, the leaders! So what can you expect?
Two days of time dedicated to looking inwards at your own personal leadership qualities with an opportunity to participate in sessions which include a mixture of leadership theory, real life stories, and delegate participation to support reflective practice.
Focus areas will include:
- Increasing self awareness and your understanding of others
- Creating high quality thinking environments
- Motivation theories to influence change
- Developing your true authentic leadership style with a view to elevating yourself and those around you.
Training will be planned for delivery on Friday 10th & 17th October 9am to 4pm. It is essential that participants attend for the full time stated on both days. Participants will also be expected to complete gap tasks between sessions.
Given the personal nature of this course, if the number of requests for places are high, we will potentially look to add more venues to accommodate everyone whilst maintaining the bespoke support offered as part of the course.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025,
DfE statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance has been updated and effective from 1st September.
Childminder Training Day
Open to SLA members
We are excited to announce our first Childminder only training day of the year – a fantastic opportunity for Childminders from across the county to get together and access high quality CPD led by members of the Early Years team.
The day will include a morning training session based on one of our quality first teaching topics as well as two short workshops with a focus on SEND and Inclusion as well as introducing either the Launchpad for Literacy or brand new EYPP Toolkit.
Over lunchtime there will be an opportunity to network with members of the Family Hub and Stronger Practice Hub teams to find out about what they have on offer and how these programs can further support your practice along with the children and families you work with.
Places are limited due to venue size with a maximum of two attendees per provision. Please see poster for a breakdown of the day and booking information.
Updates from Partners
Solihull Courses for Parents
As part of the Family Hub offer, parents can access Solihull courses to support them on their parenting journey. NCC has access to 18 courses which support parents from pre-birth to adulthood. Click here to see the list of courses, and how to sign up using the free access code: HADRIAN
If parents sign up while their child is under the age of 2, they will be given lifetime access. The NCC license is due to run out in July 2026, so please make the most of these resources while they are freely available.
More tools and resources- (For professionals only):
To help you tell ALL parents all about it, there are ‘ready to go’ focused resources here. (password: MIAMI4710)
- Brand toolkit – posters and images
- campaign materials
- school and media assets
- Resources for schools
The School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant for 2025 to 2026
This grant is available for eligible state-funded primary-phase schools and maintained nursery schools to apply for up to £150,000 of capital funding to create or expand a school-based nursery.
This is the second phase of the school-based nurseries programme. It builds on the foundations of phase 1 (SBN Capital Grant 2024 to 2025) and has an increased focus on supporting disadvantaged families to access early years provision.
More information can be found here. Deadline for application 11th December 2025.
For initial enquires with the LA please contact alex.turner@northumberland.gov.uk
Upcoming Events
Early Language Development with the English Hub
Join us for this expertly designed, research-based virtual CPD series focused on language development in the Early Years and Key Stage 1- for school based practitioners.
This programme equips teachers, leaders, and practitioners with deep understanding and practical tools to support oracy and language acquisition, particularly for children who may not be meeting expected developmental milestones.
Each session is rooted in the latest research and includes real-world strategies to take straight into the classroom. Ideal for teachers, teaching assistants, early years practitioners, SENDCos, and leaders, this course builds confidence in identifying and supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
For more information and to book, follow the link here.
The Power of Music in Early Years: A Practical Training Session with Tiny Tweeties
Join Rachel and Chris and the Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub for a hands-on training session exploring the powerful role of singing and music in early child development. Discover how music supports language and communication, physical development, emotional regulation, and secure attachment. They’ll share practical ideas backed by theory and highlight insights from the EEF’s Early Years Evidence Store – giving you plenty of inspiration to take back to your setting.
Saturday 20th September 9:30am- 11:30am at Great Park Community Centre, Newcastle
To find out more and to book your spot, follow the link here.
