Early Years Provider Updates | COVID-19 Edition 80

This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Associate Director for Children and Families, Michael Jarrett, for the attention of the Early Years leads.

This weeks news bulletin from Children and Families, Early Years Division at Slough Borough Council is now available please see the attached document.

As we have now entered the second national lockdown and the early years sector continues to play a crucial role in the country's response to COVID-19. The government continues to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our children and young people and has not instructed early years settings, schools, further education (FE) colleges or universities to close.

It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians. We are incredibly grateful to the sector for the dedication and commitment that has been demonstrated during yet another challenging period, you continue to provide an invaluable service to our residents, thank you. 

This weeks bulletin includes:

  • Education and Childcare Settings: New National Restrictions from 5 November 2020
  • Department for Education Coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline – opening hours
  • Department for Education guidance
  • Advertising vacancies
  • Getting tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • COVID-19 series: briefing on early years, October 2020
  • Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS)
  • New winter package to provide further support for children and families
  • Ofsted interim visits to take place remotely during the period of national restrictions
  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended until the end of March 2021
  • Guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable staff and children
  • What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
  • Providing apprenticeships during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
  • Local Government Association updates
  • Use of the NHS COVID-19 app in education and childcare settings
  • Foundation Years COVID-19 update #21 - FAQs - 5 November
  • Carrying out Childcare Register inspections
  • ‘Health at Home’ campaign
  • Training and Continuous Professional Development
    • Introduction to Safeguarding
    • Safeguarding Level 3 / Multi agency
    • Prevent
  • Strong Home Learning Experience to support children’s learning and development

It is important to keep in contact with families during this time, so please share the information widely.

Please note: Data submissions will be on going until the DfE no longer request our submission, please return your data sheet to earlyyears@slough.gov.uk before 12pm every Thursday if your setting is open.