Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision Virtual Training
We are running a virtual training session about using the Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision. See attached flyer. The training is suitable for anyone who works with children from birth to 5, and will give you information about how to use the document to support children with emerging needs and SEND within your setting.
Please sign up via the School Readiness Passport.
Engagement with Parents on 30 hours of government-funded childcare for September 2025
Applications are currently open for 30 hours of government-funded childcare for September 2025. All eligible working parents of children who will be at least nine months old on or before 31 August can apply through the government’s childcare expansion. Parents can check their eligibility and apply at Childcare Choices. If they haven’t done so already, settings should be talking with parents currently receiving the 15-hour working parent entitlement to agree how many hours they will be using from September.
Encouraging 2YO entitlement take up for parents entitled to both schemes
Parents potentially eligible to both the 2-year-old disadvantaged and working family schemes due to low income have been sent an email to encourage them to apply for both as DFE census returns require children to be flagged for both schemes if entitled. If parents approach you with the new look email, please run a 2YO check via Wizard as well as validating their working family code. Eligibility to both schemes gives parents and providers certainty of 15 hours of support if parents fall out of eligibility for 30 hours at any point.
Funding Process, flowchart, guidance and walkthrough videos
Please click here to view links to support your knowledge and understanding of the funding claim process.
Primary Wraparound Programme
Schools and PVI settings have limited time left to apply for Revenue Grant Funding to help deliver wraparound provision for primary aged children.
If you are interested, please complete this Expression of Interest( EOI) form.
If you would like an informal chat about the business aspect and how the funding works, please contact alex.turner@northumberland.gov.uk
Inclusion Stories
A positive outcome (see attached) for a little one at Carol’s Kidz Care who implemented effective strategies to support his social and emotional development…
Updates from Partners
The Northumberland Family Hub App
The Northumberland Family Hub app has an exciting new update! The app now not only includes carefully selected videos from the Tiny Happy People website, designed to help parents and carers to chat, read and play with their children. It now includes a Northumberland specific section. Here parents and carers can watch short videos to help them to support their child’s communication, to keep them safe at home, to build a love of reading and to support their school readiness. For more information and to download the app, follow this link to the Family Hub Website. Please share this link directly with your early years’ families.
Upcoming Events
Funding Drop-in sessions
Stretched Entitlement
When – Wednesday 9th July 2025
To book your slot to discuss stretched entitlement, including how to calculate the complexities of children attending multiple provisions and what that means for claiming at your provision, complete the form here. Joining instructions to follow.
Headcount Save the date
When – Wednesday 17th September 2025
Booking instructions to follow. Discussions on how to complete headcount to maximise funding returns and minimise errors.
Early Years Business Forum
The EY Business forum planned for the 9th July has been rescheduled for September.
New Date for your diary.
Day: Tuesday
Date: 16th September
Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm
It is important for all settings to be aware of new employment law changes and therefore highly recommend that all managers attend.
