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

News Round-Up

 February 2025

There will be membership options available for all types of providers, additional specialist packages to develop themes and discounts available for multi-package membership. As in previous years, there will also be a ‘combined’ package for schools running provision for early years children in the birth to five age range. Many of the membership packages include credits which can be exchanged for places on essential (mandatory) courses free of charge. Details about these courses can be found under ‘Cambridgeshire Essentials’ in the Professional Development Programme 2025 – 2026 (to be published in June 2025).

Please note, that membership packages do not roll over year on year so make sure to sign up for support in 2025.

This research aims to understand the impact and costs associated with cyber-attacks in educational environments. The survey is brief and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will help shape future government policies on this critical issue.

The application cutoff is Wednesday, 26 February 2025. For more details on how to apply, visit the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub website.

The site also features testimonials, including one from Quality Improvement Co-ordinator, Lucy Frain, highlighting the positive impact seen over four cohorts since 2022. Lucy is available to discuss the course with potential practitioners in leadership roles, or those aspiring to such positions, via email at earlyyears.service@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

More information on the EYTDA is available on the Get Into Teaching website. You can also register your interest by emailing eytda.enquiries@education.gov.uk. 

The government is also introducing an experience-based route for early years staff. This route will allow suitable early years staff without an approved qualification to be included in the staff-to-child ratios at level 3 following successful completion of a supervised practice period.

The Easter HAF Programme will run from Monday, 7 April 2025 to Thursday, 17 April 2025, offering eligible pupils up to 16 hours of fully funded holiday scheme participation, including daily meals and enriching activities. Eligibility vouchers will be issued to parents/carers on Monday, 3 March 2025 via email and text.

For more details, contact HAF@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Early Years and Childcare providers across Cambridgeshire have been sharing experiences and activities with the children attending, such as What to do if you are worried by something you have seen on TV or Online, Safe adults and even a puppet show with Preschool Children to explore what Alice the Puppet may do if they saw something scary online and exploring the dangers of sharing personal information.

Following on from Safer Internet Day, Cambridgeshire Skills has shared useful resources:

• Education Resources - UK Safer Internet Centre.
• Social Media Checklists | SWGFL.
• Online Safety Guides - social media - The Online Safety Centre.
• I Have Made a New Friend Online.pdf Size: 2.6 MB File Format: pdf.
• Staying Safe Online.pdf Size: 8.4 MB File Format: pdf.
• Signs Of Grooming in Adults - What to Watch Out For - Ann Craft Trust.
• Teaching Resources and Lesson Plans | NSPCC Learning.
• BBC Own It - Educate Against Hate.

The next meetings take place online, via Microsoft Teams, on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 26 February 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
• Thursday, 27 February 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
• Thursday, 12 June 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
• Friday, 13 June 2025 from 12 pm to 2 pm.

To book a place, visit Booking and Reservations for Early Years Workforce Development, Safeguarding and Child Protection.

Please note, that the link to join the network online will be emailed a few days before each network.

For detailed guidance, read the Advice for Ramadan 2025* document on the Cambridgeshire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) website.

*Size: 56KB File format: docx

The pack contains a pen and a poster of key phrases which can be a useful way of helping children to settle in, to communicate their needs and to support transitions. The packs are on loan for an initial period of six months which can be reviewed.

For more information, contact sarah.storey@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or speak to your Early Years and Childcare Adviser.

Participate in a study on health, diet, physical activity, and sleep changes during early parenthood. Participants can earn up to £90 in e-vouchers for two interviews. For more information, contact fam-health@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk or telephone 07394 839 191.

including National Storytelling Week, Random Acts of Kindness Day, Pancake Tuesday, and World Book Day.

If your setting is interested in sharing activities as a case study linked to these events, please contact earlyyears.service@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

The festival also promotes the ‘50 Things to Do Before You're Five' initiative, encouraging parents and carers to create new stories from everyday activities. For more details, check out the Festival of Stories Events programme.

Activities include monthly meetups, special events, confidence-building workshops, and weekend activities.

You can register your interest in joining online and in-person events via the Steel Bones Children in Need Project form, by contacting rachel@steelbone.co.uk, or by telephone number: 01223 734 016.

The show features inspiration zones, special guests and unique support designed to spark fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and practical insights. With CPD seminars, workshops, and products from leading early years suppliers, it offers a rich learning environment for everyone from Nursery Owners to Directors and Senior Management.

Early Years Alliance will be at the show and will be distributing Lego Emotions sets through their partnership with Lego and the Royal Foundation. The sets are free to registered childcare providers. Providers can register to pick a set-up in advance via the Early Years Alliance website. Alternatively, providers who are unable to attend the show in London can register interest in receiving a set, by emailing LEGOearlychildhood@o365.corp.LEGO.com quoting their OFSTED Unique Reference Number in the email.

'Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Play and Practice' on Tuesday, 4 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm.

This course, aimed at experienced practitioners explores the impact of gender stereotypes, breaking down gender stereotypes in practice, responding to children's interest in gender and how to support practitioners to share the impact of gender stereotypes with parents.

'Introduction to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for Early Years Practitioners' on Wednesday, 19 March 2025 from 6.30 pm to 8 pm.

This training is suitable for any practitioner working in early years and childcare who does not hold the ENCo role. Participants will gain an overview of the principles of EDI and will consider how this agenda contributes to high-quality early years and childcare practice.

To book a place, visit Booking and Reservations for Early Years Workforce Development, Equalities and Inclusion.

Cambridgeshire Skills is offering funding for eligible participants.

The next training date is Tuesday, 4 March 2025 from 9 am to 4 pm at Amusden House, St Ives.

For more information and to book a place, visit the Introduction to Making it REAL webpages or contact philippa.sutton@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

This ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) offers a fantastic opportunity to engage children and young people in exciting STEM activities.

Activity packs are available for download for free and cater to children from under-fives to around age 14, as well as community groups.

To help spark children's interest in exploring STEM practitioners may find the Cambridgeshire STEM in the Early Years website a useful resource when planning a STEM curriculum, and for reflective discussion, the following ‘How can childcare practitioners avoid any unconscious bias when introducing STEM-based activities.’*

*Size: 17.5 KB File Format: docx

The discussion will focus on the holistic principle of forest school, incorporating SPICES (Social, Communication, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual). Spaces are limited and can be booked via Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development, Forest Schools.

Join us for professional discussions and updates from your local Child and Family Centre.

• Tuesday, 11 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm at Cambourne, Child and Family Centre.
• Wednesday, 12 March 2025 from 10 am to 11.30 am online via Microsoft Teams.
• Wednesday, 12 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm online via Microsoft Teams.
• Tuesday, 18 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm at Kindred Huntingdon Nursery.
• Thursday, 20 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm at Cambridge Steiner School and Nursery.
• Monday, 24 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm (location TBC).
• Wednesday, 26 March 2025 from 7 pm to 8.30 pm at Herons Preschool.

To book a place, visit the Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development, Forums, Networks & Briefings.

To learn more about this course, and further training opportunities, please view the CambsEYC Professional Development Programme.

To book, visit Booking and Reservations for Early Years Workforce Development, SEND Surgery.

For queries relating to Early Support, or SENIF requests, email early.support@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Please note, that the next cut-off date for SENIF requests is Friday, 21 March 2025, please ensure new SENIF requests are submitted using the provider portal by this date. If requesting rate three, include a copy of the child’s latest risk assessment. Requests received will be discussed at a SENIF panel meeting in March ready for funding to commence on Tuesday, 1 April 2025.

For children already in receipt of SENIF, in early March, a Microsoft review form will be sent to you regarding what funding is required for the summer funding period. 

#HowToLoveYourJob follows four individuals exploring careers in early

years education. In Episode one, Carla, a former prison officer, visits a forest school nursery. Episode two features Ryan diving into early years education to find their creative calling. Episode three sees estate agent Ryan explore a new meaningful career path. The final episode airs on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.

You can watch the episodes on Channel 4’s YouTube channel and help amplify the series by sharing on social media.

Your News

CECQC Team Annoucement.

Over the last 19 years, Janet Ritson and Cheryl O’Reilly have been dedicated Tutors at the Cambridgeshire Early Childhood Qualifications Centre (CECQC). Throughout this time, they have delivered introductory courses and qualifications from level 1 through to level 4, with a mix of NVQ and VQ qualifications, up until 2014, when the QCF Early Years Educator Suite was introduced and continues to evolve.

They have witnessed learners starting at entry level, achieving levels 2 and 3 in our centre, and aspiring to complete degrees within the sector. Some learners have become room leaders or managers, owning their own settings or setting up their own businesses as childminders.

Now it is time for them to invest in retirement and enjoy some well-earned quality time. They will be truly missed –

Please join us in wishing Janet and Cheryl a wonderful retirement.

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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