Dear Colleagues,
Updates from the Team
Headcount AUT 2025-26 Reminder (School360 Users)
A reminder that your pre-populated AUT 2025-26 headcount returns are available in the AUT 2025-26 file in your school360 account. We recommend you start looking at filling it in now (do not leave it until last minute). You can find guidance on the new look form here – AUT-2025-26-Headcount-Return-Guidance.pdf
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact your Performance Partner or the funding team EarlyYearsTeam@northumberland.gov.uk
Funding Discussion Slots
We are now holding drop-in sessions every Wednesday (term-time only). If you would like to book a slot to discuss your funding queries, please complete this form.
Northumberland Families Services Directory
As part of our commitment to improving communication and services to families, we invited all settings to review and update their Carescheme. However, the majority still need to be updated, resulting in outdated or missing information. This lack of current information affects parents’ ability to make informed choices.
Additionally, some childminders don’t have a Carescheme which means their service will not appear in searches when parents/carers are looking for childcare options. This not only places those at a disadvantage but also impacts on their business sustainability within an expanded childcare market.
https://northumberland.fsd.org.uk/kb5/northumberland/fsd/home.page
How to update:
Once you click on the link, it will take you to the main landing page. In the top right hand corner, you will see a link to sign in or create a new account.
You will also see instructions on how to complete your Carescheme, including your Local Offer.
Next Steps
To update your Carescheme by the end of September.
Please include your opening times, vacancies and costs, ahead of mandatory in 2026. Also include a link to https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/childcare-early-years-education
Starting Reception Parent Survey
This survey is intended to provide Northumberland LA Early Years Team with information in relation to how well parents feel that their child has been supported as they moved into their new reception class in school. The form is anonymous and should ONLY be completed by parents of children who started in Reception in September 2025. We would be grateful if you could share this with relevant parents. The form closes on 30.09.25.
Keeping Your Training Passport Directory Details Up to Date
We kindly ask all users with an account on our School Readiness Passport to ensure their personal details are kept up to date.
For courses such as Paediatric First Aid, Fire Awareness etc., where e-learning accounts need to be created, it is essential that each user has an individual email address associated with their account. Shared email addresses cannot be used for these types of courses, as they prevent proper access to required learning materials and certification.
Keeping your information current helps us ensure smooth course registration and access to training resources.
Updates from Partners
Child Safety
Shared on behalf of NCC Trading Standards
Warning over counterfeit Labubu dolls posing a choking hazard and safety risk to small children due to easily detachable small parts such as hands, feet and eyes. Poor-quality fabric and construction exposing stuffing posing suffocation risks.
Parents/carers and consumers are being warned to look for the official Pop Mart hologram and scannable and to only purchase from reputable retailers.
They are being urged to check for the usual UK/CE safety kite marks and genuine packaging.
As we lead up to Christmas NCC Trading Standards would like to draw on the support of schools and all childcare settings to help warn parents/carers and consumers of the risk and to be suspicious of unusually low prices versions. This message extends to all counterfeit toys. More information can be found on the following link https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gq151l2vvo
Glue Ear
Please find poster attached for more information.
Qualifications
EY Apprenticeships, L2 and L3 Qualifications
Are you looking to take on an Apprentice to start this month or next?
Do you have unqualified staff who need to be qualified to support your ratios?
Do you have staff looking to upskill to L2 or L3 as part of their appraisal?
Northumberland Skills Team are here to support. They offer a tailored and flexible approach to meet the needs of the setting whist working within the parameters of the curriculum.
Some of our Northumberland providers have switched to NCC as their chosen training provider and have been highly impressed with the quality and flexibility of delivery.
For more information, please see flyer attached.
