Code Validation FAQ for Parents Accessing the New Childcare Entitlements
Many parents have questions specifically about the code validation stage of the childcare application process. We have collated an FAQ designed to support parents to navigate the application, code validation and reconfirmation process. If you are a local authority, you may want to use this to check any communications you already have for parents, or […]
Top Tips for Engaging with Early Years and Wraparound Providers: 5 Local Authority Examples
Local authorities play a crucial role in supporting and engaging with early years settings and wraparound care providers. While this can sometimes be easy, you may also need to explore innovative ways to enhance partnerships. This blog highlights best practice and new opportunities for engagement with childcare providers. From recognition events to digital platforms, each […]
Case Study: Establishing Inclusion Hubs in Early Years Settings
In 2017 Achieving for Children (AfC), serving the London Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond, identified a significant increase in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and Early Years SEND Inclusion Funding (EYSIF) applications. In the 2018/2019 financial year, there were 145 new EHCPs in Kingston and 161 in Richmond across age groups, with the most […]
Effective Childcare Provider Surveys
To assess childcare sufficiency in a local area, Local Authorities find it is essential to understand the local market through a range of activities. A provider survey can help as part of this, to ensure supply better meets parent demand. You can learn more about understanding parent demand through surveys, here. Here we look at […]
Effective Childcare Demand Surveys for Parents
Childcare demand surveys for parents are an essential part of any sufficiency planning. They should be used in partnership with provider supply surveys. You can learn more about designing provider surveys, here. Here we look at some of the features of different surveys to help inform the design of parental demand surveys. Some of these […]
Early Years and Wraparound Toolkit Launch
This session was an online walkthrough for the Early Years and Wraparound Toolkit for local authorities. The aim of this walkthrough was to provide LAs with a clear understanding of how the toolkits work by highlighting the relevant sections, describing how it can be used and how local authorities can promote these valuable resources to […]
Barnsley’s Expansion Monitoring Form
This form, created by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, is used by their Childcare Sufficiency Team with wraparound providers who have received funding to monitor progress and usage of the funding. Other local authorities could use this resource as template to create their own, should it be useful for their area. Please note that this […]
Hear from Barnsley’s Employees in the Childcare Sector
Barnsley local authority’s recruitment and retention Task and Finish group has created five Youtube videos as part of a package to support recruitment and retention in the childcare sector. Watch them by clicking the links below: Lauren the Early Years Apprentice Kimberley the Early Years Practitioner Kate the Portage Practitioner Gaynor the Home Based Childminder […]
Local Authority Organisational Structures in Early Years Teams
These case studies showcase five different examples of organisational structures in Local Authority Early Years teams, including size, roles and where teams are situated in the wider authority. They discuss what makes each approach a success, and offer practical reference tools for any Local Authority leaders exploring options for their own teams and local context. […]