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News

Early Years Newsletter - Autumn 2006

For All Your Local Childcare, and Child-related Services
Early Years Newsletter - Autumn 2006

News From Early Years and Childcare
3 and 4 year old funding
Latest Childcare News
Childcare Providers
What's On
Staff
Childminding Chat
Training and Recruitment

Look out for details on Poole Sure Start Forum, 6th November, as this will be your opportunity to hear more about changes in the Borough teams working across early years and childcare. Poole has been divided into 3 localities for the future delivery of services to support children and families, and Borough teams will be basing their work on these locality boundaries. In practice, this means that our new childcare team will be allocating work on an area basis.

Later this term group settings will learn which childcare officer will be their link worker, and we will re-issue contact details to ensure easier access to the team. Next spring we hope to be able to tell all providers more about the children's centres developing in their localities, and to begin to introduce children's centre managers who will have a key role in supporting the families in the area, whilst also linking with childcare groups and childminders.

In the autumn of 2007, we hope to be completing our children's centre buildings that will become available for local training and network meetings, parent groups, stay and play, and a range of other activities.

These developments will draw the work to support early years and childcare providers into the centre of locality development and this whole area of work will be known as 'Localities and Childcare'.

Teams will also be developing new and closer working relationships with other children's services teams in the Borough, to ensure that families with additional needs are supported in a more holistic way, and do not have to contact a number of different teams to find the support they need.

There will be more details of these changes at our Sure Start Forum and then emerging over following months. The aim is not to introduce change for the sake of change, but to deliver a better and more integrated service to providers and families. We hope you will welcome these new locality ways of working, and feel better supported in the crucial work with children which you do day to day.
Carol Jarvis
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There have been many articles in the press recently about the new DfES Code of Practice for 3 and 4 year old funding. The Code clearly states that providers of the free entitlement of 12.5 hours nursery education cannot charge top-up fees, and that this applies to all providers of the free entitlement. This is crucial to ensure that all parents, including non-working families and those on low incomes, are able to access their entitlement.

A recent letter from the DfES states the fee charged by the provider for any provision beyond the free entitlement is a private matter between them and the parent - but parents cannot be forced to take-up additional provision or activities as a condition of accessing the free entitlement. Copies of the Code of Practice were distributed by the DfES in the spring. Please note copies of the 3 and 4 year old funding papers, for the term in progress, are now available on the website.

Pre-schools, day nurseries and accredited childminders are reminded that should a child join your setting after headcount day and have either not previously attended a Poole setting, or, attended a setting outside of the Borough you will still be able to claim sessions from the point of entry to your setting to the end of that term. This can be done by submitting an Adjustment Form and parent declaration form. If a child moves to your setting from another setting within the Borough you must contact that provider to discuss the transfer of any unused sessions that the child has at its previous setting.
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The Childcare Bill, the first ever piece of legislation specifically on early years and childcare, received Royal Assent in July to become the Childcare Act. The Act guarantees accessible, high quality childcare and other services for children under five and gives parents greater choice in balancing work and family. It places responsibility for ensuring sufficiency of childcare provision with local authorities, charging them with raising quality, improving delivery, and achieving better results.

Carol Jarvis commented on the Childcare Act by saying: "In Poole we will be continuing our work with both public bodies and individual organisations to ensure high standards. We urge parents to let their views be heard at the quarterly Poole Sure Start Forum to aid with the planning and delivery of new services, so that new childcare schemes and businesses reflect
the real needs of families in each area."

Daycare Trust: Listening and Learning - Putting Passion into Policy \n

The Daycare Trust's Annual Conference takes place at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in central London on 8th November. There will be an opportunity for parents, carers and childcare workers to put their point of view across to key players from central government, local authorities and national voluntary organisations.

There will be facts and figures about what progress has been made with the Government's 10-years strategy and an opportunity to influence the Government's Spending Review as it considers how resources will be allocated for childcare for 2008-2011. A programme for the Conference is available under the events section of the Daycare Trust . 

Poole has achieved above national figures for its distribution of the Bookstart Programme achieving 100% delivery to its target groups. Julie Borthwick, Bookstart Co-ordinator, has been actively distributing the fantastic treasure boxes and book bags to babies and toddlers throughout the Borough. She said: 'it is an enormous task and hugely challenging, but the potential benefits to children are immense'. Since 1st September 2005 Poole children and families have received a staggering 11,934 free books, which in monetary terms is the equivalent of £119,340 of free resources.

The packs have been distributed as follows:

• 8mths + babies - 1672 Bookstart Bags \n
• 2yrs + toddlers - 1960 Bookstart + Bags \n
• 3yrs + children - 2335 Treasure Boxes
  

How can parents and carers easily access up-to-date, high quality information about services from local agencies relevant to their family?

Currently there is good information available at a number of locations throughout Poole, but it rarely covers all services. Consultation exercises have revealed parents have a real need to access joined up services to support their families. Poole Children's Information Services is leading the development of a Network of Information Providers across Poole. This Network will provide its members with regularly updated, reliable information about all local services for families so that members do not have to search out information for themselves.

At present a group of information workers are developing this project, they are: the Children's Information Service, Healthpoint, Poole Parent Partnership, Citizen's Advice Bureau, Youth Quay Advice, Libraries, Information Sharing and Assessment Project. The group are currently working on a pilot project in the Turlin Moor area offering regular information sessions.

Parent and carers are welcoming the development of these information services and we hope to roll out the programme to further areas over the coming months. For further details please contact Poole CIS.

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\nAccessing Start Up Grants

Sure Start Funding is now available to existing or prospective early years and childcare providers and all are eligible to apply, whether from private, voluntary or maintained sectors. Funding is available to start new projects as well as sustaining existing ones. Projects must meet the needs of parents and children and contribute to the delivery of the 10 Year Childcare Strategy or Extended Schools Prospectus, and, the delivery of the 5 Outcomes for Children. There are three funding award categories:
• Start-up - revenue funds to support the implementation of new service developments to meet Sure Start targes
• Capital - capital awards to support small capital works to facilitate either existing or new services eg new toilet facilities
• Sustainability - revenue to support existing services facing sustainability issues
For further details please contact: Jo Hogg.

Children's Centre Update

The Government is committed to ensuring that all agencies which provide services to children, young people and their families are able to co-ordinate their work in order to deliver the shared outcomes of Every Child Matters. Integrated work focuses on encouraging professionals to work together and adopting common processes which deliver frontline services built around the needs of children and young people.

In Poole our children's services are beginning to collaborate to develop multi-agency teams organised in three localities across the Borough. As part of this process the Early Years Team is being re-organised over the next year so workers can join the emerging multi-agency teams to deliver their services locally.

The six new children's centres and new extended school facilities will provide the common locations from which our multi-agency teams will operate. Over time children's centres and extended schools will begin to provide access to a wide range of integrated services developed to reflect the needs of children and their families within the local community.

In the coming months you will be regularly updated on the progress of the integrated children's services in Poole and begin to experience the benefits of support from designated key workers based in your local area. For further information please contact either Jacky Westmaas or Carol Jarvis on 01202 261900.

Portage Prices

The Government is committed to ensuring that all agencies which provide services to children, young people and their families are able to co-ordinate their work in order to deliver the shared outcomes of Every Child Matters. Integrated work focuses on encouraging professionals to work together and adopting common processes which deliver frontline services built around the needs of children and young people.

Accreditation Success

St Gabriel's Pre-school in Turlin Moor is celebrating its recent accreditation by an 'Investors in Children' Quality Assurance Scheme. The Pre-school Learning Alliance rewarded the pre-school for its quality education and care.

Premises Available

After consulting with the local community, Sylvan First School are looking for a provider with experience in offering high quality care, to set up and run a pre-school facility on their site. If you wish to be considered could you please submit your business plan to the school as soon as possible. The closing date for your plan is the 17th November 2006 and interviews will be held on the 30th November 2006. For further information please contact Anne Murphy on 01202 743064.

If you would like to submit any articles in the Spring newsletter or make any suggestions please contact Anne Cunniffe..

Supermarket Sweep

The Children's Information Service is holding an Information Promotion Day at the Co-op in Hamworthy on Friday 17th November. Staff will be on hand from 10am - 2pm to discuss all childcare requirements, careers and training opportunities. This event follows on from successful supermarket promotions held during the summer at Asda's in Poole and Sainsbury's at Talbot Heath. Shoppers were delighted to obtain childcare information, children's activity packs and other promotional items along with their weekly groceries. CIS staff found it an excellent way of understanding the needs of local parents, carers and those interested in choosing a career in childcare.

Angel's Network

Poole's network for additional support workers held a summer soiree on 19th July at Sandbanks beach. There was an excellent turn out with over 20 workers enjoying the balmy summer evening on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year! It was lucky for those present that Sue Keenan forgot her camera or else there would have been photographic evidence of the groups water skills and unplanned rock climbing!! Sue said: 'it never fails to delight me that so many make the effort to turn up to these events and I look forward to seeing you all in the autumn term'.

Farewell to Sue Keenan

I couldn't miss this opportunity to say a very fond farewell to you all. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 8 years trotting around the Borough to visit you in your settings. The children and families of Poole are extremely lucky that we have such dedicated and motivated staff in our pre-schools and nurseries and I feel privileged to have worked with you all. You are a very special group of people … don't ever forget that!
Sue Keenan

Beep Beep Day

As part of National Road Safety Week 2006 (6th-12th November), Brake, the road safety charity, invites you to take part in 'Beep Beep! Day' to help save children's lives on the roads. It is an educational road safety initiative for nurseries, playgroups, childminders and pre-schools to help educate children from an early age about road safety in the local community, with key lessons on holding hands with adults and the importance of the word 'stop'. There is also advice on taking the children on short supervised 'toddles' or running playground road safety activities.
All participating settings can receive an information pack containing free road safety resources including stickers, colour-in sheets, placards, posters and activity sheets. To take part or find out more details please contact Sarah Howe at Brake.

Turlin Moor Parents

A pilot programme has been established at Turlin Moor First School to provide an information service from 8.45-10.30am on Monday mornings. This free service will provide a wide range of information to residents in the Turlin Moor area and will include local details on childcare, careers, specialist support, healthcare, clubs, activities, to name but a few.
These sessions will be held fortnightly on the following dates: 2, 16, 30 October and 13, 27 November and 11 December. Helpful and informative staff will be on hand to answer any queries you may have and we encourage you to drop-in and see how this service can benefit you.
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With the Autumn term well and truly started and the changing situation within the Early Years Team you may wonder who to contact for support, information or general details. The following administrative support is here to help you so please feel free to contact them:

• Jo Hogg - Childcare Team - 01202 261923 \n
• Suzannah Wood - SEN/Portage Team - 01202 261944 \n
• CIS - Information Help Desk

Goodbyes

The Specialist Support Team are saying goodbye to two members of staff.
Nicola Cooper is leaving us to work with the School Nursing team. She joined us with funding from the Early Support Project to be part of setting up a new intervention for children with social communication difficulties and a key working scheme.

Sue Keenan is leaving us to develop a business with her husband. I know you will want to join me in wishing them both every success for the future.
Ruth Lamb

NVQ success

It has been a requirement that all CIS's have members of staff that are qualified in Information and Guidance and we are pleased to announce that Claire Lawrence, Sally Clements and Emma Holland have recently completed their NVQ's Level 3 in this area.

New staff

A warm welcome to our new members of staff who have just recently joined the team:

• Mic Mason - Childcare Manager \n
• Amanda Gridley - Childcare Officer \n
• Marilyn Parrott - Children's Centre Administrative Assistant \n
• Kerry Singleton - Children's Centre Administrative Assistant 

Childminding Chat

Childminding in the localities

With the imminent development of the Children's Centres in Poole we are discussing ways in which our childminders can be provided for and the services they will be able to offer within the localities. Childminders will play an important role in the extended schools agenda and will have a part to play in Poole's Children's Services, providing support to vulnerable children in the community. It is anticipated that childminding groups will have facilities to enable them to meet together for activities in their local centres.

Hamworthy Childminding Group, with Teri Stace as group leader and Childminding Mentor, are the first of such groups to hold their regular meetings in Turlin Moor First School. This is the first step towards future developments for childminders locality working.
We would welcome any ideas that you may have about the role of childminders in the Children's Centres or their locality. Please share them with your Network Co-ordinator or
Karen I'Anson.

Network success

Congratulations to Borough of Poole network childminders Pat Stace, Jacqueline Ross and Louise Hudson who were all successful in gaining "Outstanding" in their recent Ofsted inspections. We are proud of the overall achievements of our Poole Network childminders in this recent round of inspections and for their professionalism which is being recognised.
Well done!

Poole Childminding Conference 2006

John Nash, Director of Children's Services opened this very successful conference on the 16th September 2006 at the RNLI Lifeboat College in Poole. He praised the childminders for the invaluable quality childcare and education they provided for Poole families. Penny Tassoni gave an informative and inspiring speech looking at children's behaviour and one delegate remarked that she could 'listen to Penny all day'. Delegates enjoyed a wide variety of workshops from Nautical Play, to Stress Busting and Quest for Play. All found these very informative, great fun and took on board plenty of ideas for use with children.

With many exhibitors on hand delegates were able to gather lots of information and each went away with a free goodie bag as a final gesture of an outstanding conference. Mic Mason, Poole's new Childcare Manager selected the winning ticket in the prize draw and Jan Woodard who held the ticket was delighted with her lovely RNLI teddy and entry to Bournemouth's Oceanarium.

Karen Loftus NCMA/DPCMA Projects Manager summed up the day by saying: 'It has been a great opportunity to work with our colleagues at Poole Early Years Team, on the very successful conference and we hope this is the start of many other joint events and projects'.
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The Transformation Fund is money from the government to be used to raise the quality of early years provision by supporting workforce development. It aims to improve outcomes for children by increasing the qualifications and training of people who work with the under fives.

Most of this money has been allocated to local authorities to spend on training and developing the workforce in the private, voluntary and independent childcare sector and approximately 20% is being spent by the Children's Workforce Development Council on the costs associated with the new Early Years Professional Status.

Qualifications Training

The Transformation Fund has enabled us to continue to offer subsidised training for qualifications at Level 3-5 until 2008. For further details please refer to your Training Directory or contact the Training and Recruitment Team 01202 261999.

SEN and Disability Training

The Transformation Fund has enabled us to offer a fully funded, enhanced SEN and Disability Training Programme which commenced this Autumn Term. Please see the Short Course section of the Training Directory for Course details.

Quality Premiums and Recruitment Incentives

If you are a full day care setting that employs a graduate in a lead role, you may be eligible for a Quality Premium to spend on professional development and to improve the quality of provision in the setting.

If you are a full day care setting intending to employ a graduate, you may be eligible to apply for a recruitment incentive to help cover the costs of employing a graduate.

One of the main conditions of receiving a Quality Premium or Recruitment Incentive is for the setting to commit to having a member of staff trained to Early Years Professional Status, (for further details of early years professional status see article to the right). Application Forms for the Quality Premium and Recruitment Incentive are available from Poole Early Years Team - contact Emma Holland 01202 261903.

New Transitional Award for Playworkers and Early Years Workers

If you hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification and are now looking to do a Playwork qualification or vice versa, there is a new course which will enable you study a couple of specialist units in the areas of knowledge you are lacking without have to re-do an entire qualification.

You can choose between the Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Childcare workers or the Level 3 Award in Early Years and Childcare for Playworkers. This course is accredited by Cache or City and Guilds.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance are delivering both awards locally. The course should take approximately 60 hours to complete and will be delivered in weekly evening sessions. For further details contact the Pre-school Learning Alliance 0117 907 7973. For funding opportunities refer to the Autumn Training Directory or contact Poole Training and Recruitment Team 01202 261999.

Early Years Professional Status

An Early Years Professional is someone at graduate level who takes a leading professional role in the delivery of high quality early years provision within a setting. The Governments aim is that Early Years Professionals will be key to raising the quality of early years provision and will be 'change agents' to improve childcare practice. Early Years Professionals will lead practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage and will support and mentor other childcare workers in their setting. The Governments ambition is that there should be an Early Years Professional in every Children's Centre offering early years provision by 2010 and in every full day care setting by 2015.

How to gain Early Years Professional Status

There are several routes to gaining Early Years Professional Status, and, how long it takes to achieve will depend on the individual's experience working with the under 5s and on the degree they hold. Practitioners who are close to meeting the standards of an Early Years Professional could gain validation within a few months. Others are likely to need additional training which could take up to 2 years.

The first phase of training for Early Years Professional Status started in September 2006. For a full list of Training Providers delivering Early Years Professional Status Training go to www.cwdcouncil.org.uk . There will be more Training Providers offering Early Years Professional Training from January 2007, although details on these have not been released yet.

Early Years Professional Status Training will be funded directly by the Children's Workforce Development Council from the Transformation Fund.

For more information on:

• National Guidance on the Transformation Fund . \n
• Early Years Professional Status

ESF Paperwork

If you are a childcare worker whose course was funded by the European Social Fund from September 2005, the chances are you've been asked to complete an additional funding form to meet further information requests from the Learning Skills Council. Thank you to everyone who sent back these forms. If you still have a form that you have yet to complete please return it as soon as possible or contact the training team if you need assistance. Tel 01202 261999.