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Early Years, Childcare, and School Readiness Service (CambsEYC)

News Round-Up

October 2025

Safety resources for autumn events.
Ofsted education inspection framework webinars.
Promoting the benefits of regular attendance in education settings.
New resource to support universal inclusive practice.
Early Support.
Special educational needs inclusion funding (SENIF).
Apply for your childcare code by Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
Be st weaning support for parents.
Information service for families.

50 Things to support Best Start in Life.

50 Things to support mental health and wellbeing.

Let Me Play: When Play Looks Different.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme set to continue.
Anti-Bullying Week.
Join the fun with raving babies.
Free dual-language picture book offers from Bookstart.
WellComm toolkit loan scheme.
Be Winter Wise – Stay safe, warm and well this winter.
Road Safety Week 2025.

Your News.

Safety resources for autumn events

Halloween is a thrilling time for children – costumes, sweets, and spooky fun. But behind the excitement, there are real safety risks families should be aware of.

Help keep families you work with safe this Halloween, Diwali, and Bonfire Night by sharing the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) top tips on how to keep children safe this Halloween.

With Diwali and Bonfire Night also approaching, now’s the time to share seasonal safety messages. From avoiding flammable costumes to staying visible after dark, sparkler safety to fireworks guidance, CAPT has free downloadable posters highlighting ways to keep children safe, activity ideas and child-friendly tips ready to go. Please display the posters in your setting and help spread the word.

Ofsted education inspection framework webinars

Ofsted has released the following webinars, which are now on their Ofsted YouTube channel as part of their education inspection framework: engagement programme –

Ofsted has published some new webinar recordings where they explain how inspections are carried out following settings under the renewed education inspection framework:

Ofsted education inspection framework: nurseries, pre-schools, other registered early years settings.

Ofsted education inspection framework: childminders.

Ofsted also ran a Facebook Live: Ofsted's early years team answers your questions. They covered a wide range of topics from registration to practical questions around childminder practice to the latest changes to their education inspection framework, going live in November 2025.

Please do share with your team so they are fully informed of the new requirements.

If you have any questions, please do contact your Early Years Adviser for support or email earlyyears.service@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Promoting the benefits of regular attendance in education settings

Regular attendance at an early years setting or at school is fundamental to children's learning, development, and long-term life chances.

Every day in school or at an early years setting provides vital opportunities for all children to build relationships, develop routines, and engage in meaningful learning experiences. When children attend consistently, they are more likely to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

With the focus now more than ever on the importance of regular attendance at school or in an early education setting, CambsEYC has worked with partners to produce ‘Regular attendance makes a big difference’, a short film which shares key messages about the benefits of regular attendance from the perspectives of professionals, parents/carers and children alike. The film can be used to support your attendance strategy, to share key messages about the benefits of regular attendance with families and can be incorporated into your transition plan.

For any enquiries about this film, please get in touch with Sarah.Storey@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

New resource to support universal inclusive practice

CambsEYC has launched ‘Inclusion Without Labels’, a new series of webpages designed to support practitioners in embedding universal inclusive practice for all children, without the need for a diagnosis or label.

These resources reinforce a key principle: every child deserves support, and practitioners can make adjustments based on individual needs, not formal identification. However, it is important to remember that reasonable adjustments can only be made if the initial expectations are themselves reasonable.

The webpages explore:

What is Inclusive Practice?
The Unique Child.
Enabling Environments.
Positive Relationships.
Learning and Development.
Business Planning for High-Quality Inclusive Practice.

You will also find useful tools, research links, and downloadable resources such as:

Cambridgeshire Development Journal.
Ordinarily Available Provision Audit Tool.
Reasonable Adjustments Guidance.

These materials are designed to help settings reflect on their current practice and make meaningful changes that benefit all children, especially those who may not yet have a formal diagnosis.

Explore the Inclusion Without Labels webpages to learn more.

Early Support

Early Help Assessments (EHA) must be authorised before Early Support pathway requests are submitted.

When an Early Support pathway request is received, the EHA and supporting information are triaged by the early years special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) team, and you may be contacted if additional information is required. Please remember that an EHA must be completed in conjunction with the parent/carer, and they should see a final copy of the EHA before it is submitted.

When children enter year one, the coordination from the Early Support will automatically end. However, any recommendations agreed at the panel will continue to be actioned.

For more information, please visit Cambridgeshire Online | Early Support. If you have any questions about referring a child to Early Support, please contact early.support@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Special educational needs inclusion funding (SENIF)

The next cut-off point for new SENIF requests is Friday, 5 December 2025. Please ensure new SENIF requests are submitted using the provider portal by this date.

Please ensure all parts of the request form are fully completed, and if requesting rate three, please remember to include a copy of the child’s latest risk assessment. Requests received will be discussed at a SENIF panel meeting in December, ready for funding to commence in January 2026.

For children already in receipt of SENIF, in early December, we will be sending out a Microsoft review form for you to complete and tell us what funding is required for the spring 2026 funding period.

For more information, please visit Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF). If you have any questions about SENIF, please email ey.send@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, or telephone 01223 706 129.

Apply for your childcare code by Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Every milestone in childcare is a building block that helps your child’s development. From learning to follow routines to developing independence, childcare can help them grow and thrive. When you find the right support, balancing work, family, and childcare becomes a little bit easier.

To see what support you could get, follow these steps:

Check what support you could get: Use the childcare support checker on the Best Start in Life website.
Apply online: If you are eligible for free childcare for working parents apply for your code via GOV.UK. You will need this code to access your hours.
Apply by Wednesday, 31 December 2025: To start using your hours from Thursday, 1 January 2026, make sure you apply before the cutoff date.
Speak to your childcare provider: Check that they offer the hours and confirm their arrangements.
Keep your code up to date: You will need to reconfirm your details every three months via your GOV.UK account. You will get a reminder when it is time.

Get help to buy food and milk

The NHS Healthy Start scheme helps young families and those who are pregnant to access healthy food, milk and vitamins.

People may be eligible if they have responsibility for at least one child under the age of four or are more than 10 weeks pregnant. Eligibility also

Healthy Start card mascot and other foodstuff cartoon characters

depends on the benefit the person receives and their income.

People apply for the scheme online and get a prepaid card, which they can use to buy healthy food and milk. They can also get free Healthy Start vitamins.

The prepaid card can be used in most places that sell eligible healthy food and milk items and accept Mastercard®. The card is topped up every four weeks with their payments.

Once on the scheme, people will get:

£4.25 each week of their pregnancy, from the tenth week of pregnancy.
£8.50 each week for children from birth to one year old.
£4.25 each week for children between one and four years old.

The payments will stop when the child turns four or if they no longer receive the qualifying benefits.

Best weaning support for parents

Weaning is a big step in your baby’s journey, and the Best Start in Life website is here to guide you through it with trusted advice, tips, and recipes.

Most babies are ready for solid foods at around six months, alongside breast milk or first infant formula. The website includes a simple quiz to help you check if your baby is showing the right signs, like sitting up and coordinating their eyes, hands and mouth. You will also find expert advice on safe weaning, introducing allergenic foods, and avoiding choking risks. There are easy recipes, meal ideas, and videos to make the process less daunting.

Whether you have just started weaning your baby or are looking for fresh ideas, find support at Weaning - Best Start in Life - NHS.

Information service for families

The Cambridgeshire Families Information Service (FIS) provide information, advice and guidance to families across Cambridgeshire. They manage the Cambridgeshire Childcare Directory and offer one-to-one support for families with

children and young people from birth to 25.

Their advice is free, confidential, and impartial.

The FIS can help with finding childcare, understanding childcare funding options, childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the SEND Local Offer.

For information on childcare and early learning, contact the FIS team: Lisa Watson, Families Information Coordinator, and Tracey-Ann Grant, Childcare Brokerage Adviser - SEND. Email fis@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, telephone 0345 045 1360, or connect with them on Facebook – please share the CambsFIS page.

50 Things to support Best Start in Life

The 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five initiative proactively supports DfE’s Best Start in Life, the ambition to “help parents understand what healthy child development looks like and how talking, playing, reading, responding and being physically active, can make a powerful difference.”

50 Things to Do offers a range of resources, through a low or no-cost approach, scaffolding parental confidence and understanding of how and what they can do, to support children from birth to five, to have the best start in life.

It is a collaborative, community-based approach, offers ideas for low or no-cost activities, alongside signposting to local offers to strengthen families' home learning environment.

The initiative's webpages have been translated into different languages, the app has been downloaded county-wide, and it has been showcased by partners in stay and play sessions, rhyme times, museum trails, family learning sessions, health visitor mandated checks and more.

If you are interested in exploring how to embed the 50 Things offer into your work, or would like to promote a low or no-cost event for families with children from birth to five years, please contact Philippa.Sutton-Eddery@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

50 Things to support mental health and wellbeing

This year’s Mental Health Day, theme ‘Access to Services’, reminds us how important it is for families to know help is available.

Whether it is through Family Hubs, NHS mental health services, your GP, parenting and family support groups, or local community resources, you are not alone.

We believe every family deserves the support they need to feel happy, connected, and able to thrive.

Taking part in 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five is a fun and easy way to boost the whole family’s wellbeing. From outdoor adventures to creative play, these 50 activities help children grow confident, curious, and happy, while giving parents a wellbeing boost too.

But just how does 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five support young minds and boost family wellbeing? Read the 50 Things to Do blog, find activities designed to help make those special moments easier to share and boost everyone’s mood.

Let Me Play: When Play Looks Different

Play is how children learn, explore and make sense of the world – but it does not always look the way we expect.

Join Pinpoint Cambridgeshire for 'Let me Play: When Play Looks Different'

on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, from 12 pm to 1.30 pm, online via Zoom. Led by Sam Asher, this online session explores diverse play styles and how to support children whose play may seem unusual or repetitive. The session will offer real-life examples, practical strategies and a celebration of neurodiverse ways to play.

This session is designed for parents of children with SEND. Please share with the parents of children attending your setting.

No diagnosis is needed to access Pinpoint’s support.

Book your free place at Eventbrite.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme set to continue

CambsEYC is delighted to share that, as part of its Best Start in Life mission,the government has

announced it will continue to fund the HAF programme across England for a further three financial years, meaning that families in Cambridgeshire will continue to benefit from the scheme until March 2029.

Through the programme, local holiday schemes offer free access to fun, enriching activities and nutritious meals for children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. HAF helps reduce pressure on families by providing safe, engaging environments where children receive a meal while having fun. The programme also supports families by reducing childcare costs, promoting social inclusion, and connecting them with local support services.

The Christmas HAF Programme runs from Monday, 22 December 2025 to Friday, 2 January 2026. Eligible children have up to 16 hours of funded holiday scheme access. Further details are available on the HAF Provider Directory – Bookings will open on Monday, 10 November 2025

To find out more about HAF, head to Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme | Cambridgeshire County Council.

Anti-Bullying Week

The Anti-Bullying Alliance, part of the National Children’s Bureau family, are the official organiser of Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Anti-Bullying Week 2025 takes place from Monday, 10 November 2025 to Friday, 14 November 2025 with the theme ‘Power for Good’.

The theme came about following consultation with teachers and pupils who wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt caused by bullying.

The week will commence with Odd Socks Day, a collaboration with CBeebies and CBBC star Andy Day and their band ‘Andy and the Odd Socks’, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us unique.

Join the fun with raving babies

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Healthy Child Programme are encouraging early years providers across the county to host their own Baby Rave* for Baby Week, between Friday, 14 November 2025 and Thursday, 20 November 2025.

*A fun, interactive dance session for babies and families that celebrates early development through music, movement, and laughter.

Hosting a Baby Rave is easy, free, and a great way to promote your setting as a space that supports babies’ best start in life. You do not need specialist training or a music licence, just enthusiasm and a space for children to move and play.

If you would like to be involved, please sign up for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Baby Week 2025 and share your ideas via ccs.babyweek@nhs.net.

Please encourage families to visit Cambridgeshire - Baby Week to explore what’s on near them. Every conversation helps more families get involved and benefit from what’s happening during Baby Week such as free first aid sessions, free soft play, free swims, free baby massage and loads more great stuff to get involved in.

Free dual language picture book offers from Bookstart

Look out this autumn for your invitation to order a dual language picture book for each of your children with English as an additional language, who celebrate their third birthday during this academic year.

A group of children sitting in a room with books

Cambridgeshire Bookstart have already begun sending out the order forms to all preschools and nurseries. Additional forms will be sent in April/May 2026 to pick up any new children that may have joined you during the year.

There are 42 languages to choose from. Bookstart kindly ask that you only order books for children whose parents speak limited English, and therefore would most benefit from sharing the book.

If you have not received your order form, you can make an order by completing the Bookstart Dual Language Order Form 2025-26.docx. Please note, all order forms need to be returned by Friday, 14 November 2025. Delivery of books will take place in late November/December 2025.

Remember, early years settings can apply for special library membership that allows you to borrow 25 books for 16 weeks. For more information and support with your order, please email Bookstart@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

WellComm toolkit loan scheme

CambsEYC are excited to announce a new scheme where early years providers can borrow a WellComm toolkit to support children’s language and communication development.

The WellComm toolkit supports children’s development from six months to six years. It includes detailed instructions on how to assess children’s development and implement targeted interventions to support progress.

The loan period is 16 weeks, which would provide adequate time for children to be assessed, at least one round of interventions to be delivered, and a reassessment of any progress which has been observed. There is no charge for borrowing the toolkit.

If you would like to express your interest in participating in the WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme, please complete the WellComm Toolkit Loan Expression of Interest Microsoft Forms.

For further information, contact Ali.Mitchell@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Be Winter Wise – Stay safe, warm and well this winter

As the temperatures begin to drop, Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) relaunched our ‘Be Winter Wise’ campaign for

the third year running, and we would love your help to spread the word.

Winter can be a tough time for many people. Cold weather, rising living costs, and health challenges can all add extra pressure, especially for older residents, families, people on low incomes, and those living with long-term health conditions.

That is why Be Winter Wise is back to share practical advice, local support, and simple actions that help everyone in Cambridgeshire stay safe, warm, and healthy this winter.

This year, CCC are running #BeWinterWise alongside our ‘Working For You’ campaign, which celebrates the services, outcomes, and people making a difference across the county. Together, the two campaigns show how CCC are supporting residents through the colder months, while highlighting the real impact of your work.

You can follow the campaign on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram by searching #BeWinterWise.

Together, we can make this winter a little easier, a little warmer, and a lot more caring for everyone in Cambridgeshire.

Road Safety Week 2025

Brake, the road safety charity, biggest annual road safety campaign, Road Safety Week, will

take place from Sunday, 16 November 2025 to Saturday, 22 November 2025.

Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to share important road safety messages and join the call for safe roads for everyone. However we travel, let's make every journey we make as safe as possible.

To find out what's happening and how you can get involved sign up for Road Safety Week 2025. Brake will send updates by email to everyone who has registered. Everyone who registers will get access to a free Road Safety Week action pack, full of ideas and activities.

Brake has put together a great package of free resources, ideas and activities to help you take part. So, make sure you are signed up, add Road Safety Week to your calendar, tell people you are taking part and keep an eye on your inbox.

Let’s Go Zero competition

Particularly welcoming applications from Fenland and East Cambridgeshire.

OVO Foundation and Let’s Go Zero have teamed up for another three years to bring children and young people closer to nature and kickstart nature-based climate action.

The first three years of the partnership saw 75 schools install innovative and exciting projects, ranging from hydroponic food growing to beehive sites and rain gardens.

By inspiring climate action in these schools, the project has brought more than 35,000 students of all ages closer to nature. Many schools have reported lasting changes – greener spaces, new outdoor learning opportunities, and greater environmental awareness across the whole school community.

The latest round of the OVO Foundation Nature Prize is open and will award 30 schools cash prizes of £500. For a chance to win, schools can submit their ideas for nature-based projects focused on one of three areas:

Adaptation and resilience.
Community.
Green skills.

To apply for the competition, please complete the OVO Foundation Nature Prize Application Form 2025-26 by Monday, 17 November 2025.

Our News

Excellence confirmed:CECQC celebrates inspection success

The Cambridgeshire Early Childhood Qualifications Centre (CECQC)is absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news.

This October, the CECQC underwent aninspection for the early years qualifications it delivers – and the results were outstanding. The centre received an ‘Excellent’ outcome across the board, with no actions or advisories. What an achievement.

Lisa North, Early Childhood Qualifications Coordinator, shared:

"The past six months have been incredibly challenging for the centre. We have seen two long-standing team members retire, welcomed two new colleagues, and supported three team members through serious health issues and ongoing treatment. Despite all of this, the team has pulled together with incredible resilience and dedication."

Despite the challenges, the CECQC team has:

Ensured learners continued their studies with minimal disruption.
Delivered sessions and carried out assessments.
Completed learners successfully.
Developed new delivery schedules.
Enrolled our largest-ever Level 3 cohort.
Planned exciting new CPD qualifications for the new year.

Lisa continued:

"This outcome is a true reflection of the hard work, commitment, and passion that each of you brings to our learners and to one another."

"A heartfelt thank you to our amazing tutors – and a special shout-out to Kerry, the glue that holds us all together and keeps everything running smoothly."

"I am so proud of what we've achieved. Let’s take a moment to celebrate this success – you've earned it!"

Find out more about early years qualifications and upcoming CPD opportunities at www.cecqc.co.uk.

Share your good news with CambsEYC

Contributions for News Round-Up should be between 150 and 300 words and include a high-resolution image. All photographs must have parental permission to publish for any children shown. The editors reserve the right to edit articles for length and content to meet the audience's needs. Please submit your news items to eycinfo@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

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