Dear Colleagues,
Updates form the Team
Ballot for the Schools Forum Early Years Representative
Thank you to those of you who took the time to vote in the ballot for the Schools Forum Early Years Representative. It was wonderful to see four of our colleagues put themselves forward for the role so a huge thank you to them also for their commitment to ensuring the voice of the sector is heard.
We are delighted to inform you that your elected representative is Debbie Wylie from Little Angels. Debbie has accepted the role and is looking forward to acting on your behalf at future meetings.
We recognise and value the importance of sector input on all matters relating to early years and look to have sector participation from colleagues on a number of groups including Early Years Inclusion Panel and our training sub-group. Please do keep your eyes peeled for future opportunities if you would be interested in contributing the countywide early years developments.
Northumberland Conception to 5 Speech, Language and Communication Framework
We are seeking your views on the Northumberland Conception to 5 Speech, Language and Communication Framework.
The Framework has been produced to help professionals and parents see what services are available throughout a child’s early years, to support their speech, language, and communication development.
(If you haven’t seen the framework before, you can still help us with this survey.) Once you have started the survey, you can click on a link to first view the framework.
This survey will take approx.. 5 minutes to complete.
Please share the parent survey with your parents.
Links to surveys:
Financial Incentive Bonus Scheme
The extended Financial Incentive Bonus Scheme comes to an end this month. If you feel you have someone eligible, (see attached criteria) please complete this form https://forms.office.com/e/a3sdFibgni
Please see the article on the IFF research in the provider update section for those recently recruited.
Updates from Partners
DfE Charging FAQ’s
To support providers in understanding the recent clarity offered by DfE around optional charges in the updated statutory guidance, the DfE have produced the FAQ document attached.
As a Local Authority our aim is to support you in meeting the statutory guidance, maintaining happy customers and supporting the sustainability of your business. We will work with those of you who feel you need to make changes to your business model given this information.
Please reach out to the team if you have further questions or would like some support.
Update from the Armed Forces Families Fund:
The Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years programme for 2025-26, is now live on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website here:
Under this programme grants of between £5,000 and £80,000 are awarded towards projects lasting up to two years, which help enhance early childhood education and childcare settings to meet specific needs of young children from armed forces families.
The outcome/themes are:
- Increased capacity at the setting to allow more service children to attend.
- Better learning environments for service children.
- Have provided appropriate training and development to staff to support service children.
- Establishing collaborative networks and shared resources through clusters to address the needs of service children.
Deadlines for applications:
Round one: 12 noon on 4 June 2025, (you’ll receive a decision before the end of August 2025).
Round two: 12 noon on 8 October 2025, (you’ll receive a decision before the end of December 2025).
There is lots of information about eligibility and how to apply on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website here:
DFE Early Years Survey – IFF Research
Have you recently started a new role working with children aged up to four? if so, the Department for Education would like to hear more about your job search by participating in a short 5–10-minute survey with a £5 voucher as a thank you for your time.
You can also express your interest in a follow-up interview, for which, if selected you will receive a £35 Amazon or PayPal voucher.”
Survey link www.iffresearch.com/eyfi/la
Upcoming Events
Department for Education Early Education and Childcare Provider Regional Roadshow – Northeast Region – 24 June 2025
The Department for Education Early Education and Childcare Provider Regional Roadshows for group-based setting leaders and managers have returned for 2025.
You can register your interest for future regional roadshows, happening later in the year, via the register your interests form.
These roadshows are your opportunity to find out more about current and future policy, delivery and strategy, including the Best Start in Life pillar of the Opportunity Mission and the expansion of childcare to all eligible working parents of children over the age of 9 months, and to share your views, ideas, best practice and the challenges that settings face.
North East roadshow
Date 24 June
Venue Copthorne Hotel
