Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Working Families new starters
Second Headcount is for 2 year olds with a EY2C code ONLY! All other funded children must have been in provision during headcount week.
If a child moves provision within county during a term, arrangements should be made between the settings to transfer unused funding.
If a child is moving from out of County, please email earlyyearsteam@northumberland.gov.uk.
Improving the way Ofsted inspects education: Consultation
Ofsted has launched a consultation which seeks to gather the views of professionals on inspection processes. This includes changes specific to early years registered providers. We would encourage all early years educators to familiarise themselves with the consultation proposals and provide their feedback using the link below.
Improving the way Ofsted inspects education: consultation document – GOV.UK
Schools Forum Representative
In our weekly Early Years Update and during the Early Years Leaders Briefings in early January, we asked for invitations for a representative from the PVI sector to serve on the Schools Forum. We received expressions of interest from four candidates and therefore require a ballot.
Election statements from each candidate can be found in the attached document. Representation from a PVI provider is important to ensure the views of the sector are taken into account in decision making. This includes discussions around early years funding and support from the Local Authority so please do take the time to read and vote for your chosen representative.
The deadline for making nominations is 12pm Wednesday 19th February and we will aim to confirm who your chosen representative will be the following week once the representative has been confirmed.
Once you’ve read through the candidate information attached, please make your vote using this link. Please note, we will only accept one vote per setting.
Early Years Inclusion Requests
Exciting changes are coming to how you apply for EY Inclusion Support. Please see flyer attached for more information.
Updates from Partners
DFE have introduced 3 new qualification Initiatives
- New EBR
- Teaching Degree Apprenticeship
- EY Digital Qualification Checker
New EY Digital Qualification Checker
The ‘Check an Early Years Qualification’ digital service will be available later this Spring. This service will guide managers through the process of checking the approval status of qualifications held by existing staff members and prospective employees, increasing your confidence that you have appropriately qualified staff ahead of the September expansion.
NEW Experience Based Route (EBR) effective from March 2025.
This is an optional route for staff who do not currently hold full and relevant level 3 qualifications enabling them to work within the staff:child ratios at level 3.
This route is only available to settings and staff that meet the eligibility criteria and criteria set out in the Early Years Qualification Requirements and Standards document
EY Qualificarion Requirement and Standards Document
from 3 March 2025.
In the future, DfE intend to develop an assessment-only route to a full and relevant qualification which staff holding experience-based route status will likely need to take to continue working in the staff:child ratios at level 3. Please click on the following link for further details EBR non statutory guidance
Teaching Degree Apprenticeship
Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship will increase the graduate workforce by providing a new undergraduate route to gaining Early Years Teacher Status.
Find a Job
We would like to remind you of the free DWP Find a Job site when advertising. Please see attached instructions.
