Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Key Dates Spring 2024-25
Please find the Spring key dates attached.
WIZARD REMINDER
You only need to check children details once in each checker and the corresponding summaries keep you updated.
The summary of working family codes helps you to keep track of code eligibility over time in order to claim funding each term. You can filter on age range and term using the functions displayed in the top red box. Please note when you select a term, the first column ‘Term’, will clarify which term that is. The second red box displays the 3 new functions which help you know the child’s age and the validity of the code. Please note validity displays if the code is eligible to be used for the selected term. You should not be offering places to those marked invalid in a term as they are not eligible and funding cannot be claimed.
We hope you will agree that this is a great tool to help you manage the complexities of the entitlements at your provision.
Please contact us at earlyyearsteam@northumberand.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Business Planning
Some settings have asked for bespoke business support around the forthcoming changes to NI and NMW. In response, we are planning a 1hr online business support session mid January to help settings plan for the forthcoming changes effective from April, as announced in the Autumn Budget. Please look out for more details in the new year.
Early Years Business Forum
You should have received a very short survey from your Performance Partner last week related to the EY Business Forum. The purpose of this survey is to ensure we continue to meet the ongoing business needs of settings. If you would like support with any business related needs to support the childcare expansions, please complete the following Short Form
Financial Incentive Pilot
The end of the Financial Incentive Pilot is drawing near. Settings are still eligible to apply until mid December. Eligible recipients will receive payment 12 weeks after appointment. To support the national evaluation, settings managers and eligible recipients will be expected to complete a short survey, so please look out for these surveys vial email.
Updates from Partners
Newcastle University are researching how effective Makaton and BSL are in supporting communication in early years and requesting feedback from providers. Their 10 minute survey can be found here.
Staff Recruitment
An important strand of the National Finacial Incentive Bonus Scheme is the evaluation process.
IFF Research have recently been commissioned by the DfE to evaluate the policy’s effectiveness and would welcome the feedback of those who have applied or recently started working with children aged up to five
If you are a new recruit, whether you qualified for the Financial Incentive bonus or not, DfE would like to hear from you.
Click here to take a short 5-10 minute survey. IFF research plan to carry out similar surveys for settings managers in the new year.
Updates from the Family Hub Infant Feeding Co-Ordinator
Please find attached a poster you can display within your setting to help your staff team understand how to support breastfeeding families when their baby or child is starting in your Early Years or Childcare Setting.
Eyes on the Baby (SUDI Prevention) Training
Eyes on the baby training modules Strands 1 and 2 are now available for staff who were not able to access during the initial Northumberland Project. Training can be accessed via NCC Learning Together platform.
For more information, please find attached the SUDI Prevention newsletter.
Infection Prevention and Control
Below is an update from Heather Lawson, Senior Infection Prevention and Control Nurse at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust:
“There are several viruses circulating in the community at present and educational staff should be mindful of these.
Norovirus causes diarrhoea and vomiting and is generally a self-limiting illness lasting 48-72 hours. It is highly infectious and transmitted by poor hand hygiene and ineffective environmental cleaning. Alcohol gel/Hand sanitiser is NOT effective against any gastrointestinal illness and soap and water should be used to clean hands. Individuals should remain off work/school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.
Acute Respiratory infections are often seen more frequently in the winter months and we know that Covid, Flu and RSV are circulating. Cough/Cold etiquette should always be encouraged.
Staff should be encouraged to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and others with vaccination against Flu and Covid where appropriate as well as adhering to hygiene measures such as hand washing.
School policy and guidelines should be always followed .”
Further Resources:
Managing specific infectious diseases: A to Z – GOV.UK
NCC Control of infection policy – May 2024 (internal policy accessible to NCC staff and establishments only or schools in the Health and Safety SLA)
