Author: natalieelston

The DfE announced in 2021 they would be investing £153 million to strengthen teaching in the early years and address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest children. One of the ways the DfE supports early years practitioners is through the Early Year’s Experts and Mentors programme. 

Updates include: ‘Early years inspection handbook’; ‘School inspection handbook’; ‘Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework’; ‘Ofsted’s handbooks and frameworks updates: January 2024’ and ‘Support strengthened for children with SEND’.

Congratulations to Mary Tavy and Brentor Community Primary School on achieving ‘Outstanding’ in their recent Ofsted inspection.

Information for providers around the proposed funding rates for 2024/25.

Information for providers around the new working entitlements for 2-year-olds.

Devon and Cornwall Police have developed guidance to enable you to review your security and emergency plans. The guidance includes useful links on how to manage a security incident and what to expect from the Police response.

As part of the government’s Early Years COVID-19 Recovery Programme, the DfE is offering a childminder mentor programme to childminders across England to support them to narrow the gap between disadvantaged children and others. Applications are open now for the Spring 2024 term.

We are hoping that the Provider Self Update will go live within the next two weeks. A series of technical delays have meant that the launch is later than planned. Please do not complete the update until you have received an email stating that it has gone live. Thank you for bearing with us.  

The Early Years and Childcare Service is currently working with Public Health Nursing to review the Devon offer regarding the ELIM and integrated review processes. Updates on training to consider interventions and resources will be available after half term.

Jane Burchall will be joining us at a briefing session aimed at early years and childcare providers and delivering on the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and the EYFS. Dates: Friday 19th January (10.30am – 11.30am) and Monday 22 January (6.30pm – 7.30pm).