partnership pages 7 - 8

Investing in our future

Norfolkearly years developmentand childcare partnership

national childcaremonth check out ourphoto spread and thefantastic time had by allpages 7 - 8

childcare casestudies, latestNOF info, updateon sure start pages 9 - 10

early educationfind out about all the latestinformationpages 3 - 6

partnership news

Spidermanspins in at the opening of the newEYDCP office

september 2002

Sure Start, Early Years and ChildcareA key part of this, longer term, is to establish children's centres in thetop 20% of disadvantaged wards. These centres will bring togethergood quality childcare with early years education, family support andhealth services acting as 'service hubs' within the community for par-ents and providers of childcare services for children of all ages.

Commitment from central government For the first time the Government has brought together Early Years,Childcare and Sure Start in one integrated unit, with CatherineAshton as Minister responsible. More details to follow in the nextissue

Childcare in schoolsIt is expected that as part of the Education Bill legislation will beagreed that will enable school governing bodies to directly runchildcare on school premises. Guidance from the Government willbe distributed by the EYDCP during the autumn term.

Six term school yearConsultation took place during the summer term. Representatives of theEYDCP were included in the process. Further information will follow.

Equal Opportunities – our big priority This term we have made it our priority to ensure that all settings haveeffective equal opportunities strategies. Representatives from all groupswill receive FREE support and training from the partnership. Detailswill be sent to all settings in the autumn term.

welcome to the Autumn Editionof Partnership News – our biggest and brightest so far!As always much has happened since the start of thesummer term, so in this issue we celebrate and reflect onall the good things that have happened and look forwardto the challenges of the coming term.

Since our last issue the DfES has approved the EarlyYears Development and Childcare Plan 2002-3 and wecan steam ahead with our implementation plansthroughout the County. Furthermore Gordon Brown’s2002 spending review confirms the government’s com-mitment to the continuing development of high quality serv-ices for children and families. In turn these spending plansprovide resources for the EYDCP to continue to deliveropportunities and services across Norfolk.

As we support the development of new accessible, goodquality childcare places, we are actively recruiting andtraining a workforce to facilitate this provision. With ourown support systems in place we are able to offer helpwith business, finance and marketing, and Ofsted regis-tration and inspections.

Relationships with our national partners are improving allthe while, particularly with Ofsted. The autumn term seesthe start of the first combined inspections for early yearsand childcare. We have also successfully bid for NewOpportunities funding for out–of-school clubs, allowingus to increase the number of childcare places.

What is clearly emerging is the development of joined-upinitiatives, bringing together Sure Start, Early Education,Early Excellence programmes and NeighbourhoodChildcare Initiatives, to enable the EYDCP to offerschemes in the highest areas of need.

This is all exciting news for our Partnership in Norfolk,and I welcome all our partners to read on and share theachievements and challenges we face ahead of us.

Marcelle CurtisHead of Early Years and Childcare Strategy

Want to learn more aboutmarketing and networking There are major conferenceson 'Marketing for Success' and'Network for Success' plannedfor this Autumn. Check out thedates and venues on the DiaryDates pages at the back of thisissue. If you are interested bookearly, as demand is expectedto be high. A booking form canbe found in the Training News.

Grants - a logo MUST!All projects supported throughEuropean Funding (ESF) mustdisplay the ESF logo on all theirpublicity materials. The EYDCPis also very happy for projectssupported through the EYDCPto display its logo as well.

Both logos are available from ourmarketing team on 01603 598472.

More funding means extra help! The EYDCP has been successfulin obtaining DfES BusinessDevelopment Funding. This willenable us to develop a supportprogrammes aimed at improv-ing the business skills of child-care providers and potentialproviders and to improve significantly the sustainabilityand viability of provision.

Forums - arethey for you?The forums are a place whereanyone interested in childcareissues can meet and discussideas

A new leaflet asking for pro-spective Forum members to bepart of the discussion group isenclosed with this edition ofPartnership News. It would begreat if you could put your copyon display to help create interest.

Joiners, Leavers and MoversWelcome to:Pam Arrowsmith, Kathleen Clarkand Ralph Astley, join theCentral Team. Teresa Lamb joins the WestDevelopment Team.Sue Dale – Care Standards OfficerLisa Connolly, Marketing andCommunications Manager.Janet Morgan, Quality AssuranceCo-ordinator.

Jenny Eaton, supportingMarketing, Business and FinanceMovers: Ruth Taylor (part time) movedfrom the West to the Centralteam, Aliona Laker moved fromthe east to the Central team. Valerie Heath, off on secondmentto Fen Border Sure start.Goodbye to: Joan Finney, leaves for a career innursing.

newsround-up

21

september 2002 partnership news

Toy Libraries get much needed funding

Earlier this year the EYDCP gave grants to 2 Toy Libraries,Earlham/Hamlet Centre (£34,000) and Thetford Toy Library (£8,000).Both have invested in toys for children with special needs, musicalequipment and large outdoor items. The Earlham/Hamlet Centreused a large proportion of the grant towards making their servicetruly mobile with plans to purchase transportation.

Careers in Childcare/PlayworkRecruitment RoadshowsMembers of the Training and Recruitment Team were out and aboutduring the summer linking in with the support organisations, meet-ing people and recruiting childcare workers of the future. This termthe team will be at the Jobs Fair to be held in the Castle Mall,Norwich on 12th - 15th September 2002.

Making Choices With the development of so many new childcare places it isabsolutely vital to recruit a new workforce and retain the existingone. During the summer term we ran three successful "MakingChoices" courses and more are planned.

Making Choices is a free course, which runs for 6 weeks (2.5 hoursper week) and is for people who would like to work with children but are unsure of which route to take.

The Training and Recruitment Team also produce a weekly vacancylist, which allows providers to advertise their vacancies free ofcharge across the county.

Contact the Childcare Information Service for more details on01603 62 22 92

Books for Babies gets cash injection

Spiderman spins in !

Continuing to ensure every parent can access good quality afford-able childcare is the Government’s childcare vision.

Got any news? We are always interested to hear from you. If youhave any news stories or feedback please contact Lisa Connolly,Marketing and Communications Manager on 01603 59 84 72or email [email protected] Deadline for the next issue is 1st December 2002

The webbed wonder leapt along to the new office of the EYDCP, inSt Andrews Street to mingle with staff and scores of star-struck children. The childcare office will give the central team staff a baseto work from in their battle to boost places. The ChildcareInformation Service, Training and Recruitment Team and NorfolkCounty Childminding Association are also based here.

Books for Babies, a Thetfordbased scheme designed toencourage parents to sharebooks with their children,received a grant from theEYDCP. The £5,000 grantenabled them to offer a newlending facility to parents, whocan now borrow the books andread them at home with theirchildren. It also allowed more'fun-sessions' to be held. All this contributing to the developmentof our children's' early literacy.

The way ahead

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First admissions to schoolsAt the time of the publication ofthe previous issue of PartnershipNews in April it was not possibleto share the outcomes of theconsultation on policy for FirstAdmissions to School andadmission arrangements forNursery Classes.

Since that time Members of the County Council agreed thepreferred option for all childrento start school in September inthe year of their fifth birthday,with the younger children starting part time, becoming fulltime the following January. Athree term intake for NurseryClasses was also agreed. Thenew policy will be implementedfrom September 2003.

For nursery classesFrom September 2002, the LEAwill conduct a review of theallocation and uptake of nurs-ery places.

More involvement of teachers(for the non maintained sector)A condition of receiving theNursery Education Grant for settings in the voluntary and private sector is the involvementof a qualified teacher. The aim is to have in place one teacherper ten settings by 2004.

September will see somechanges in and the expansion ofthe Early Years Team providingthis support, with AdvisoryTeachers becoming Early YearsCo-ordinators and takingresponsibility for 3 teams of LinkTeachers. We welcome RosieSmith (covering Jo Mixer's mater-nity leave) and Mary Read asEarly Years Co-ordinators and 10new Link Teachers

Early years resource bankThe EYDCP has allocated somefunding to develop a large andwide ranging resource bank,supporting the work of the LinkTeachers, and distributed indi-vidually by them. However it ishoped that during the autumnterm a detailed list of resourceswill be sent to all settings. TheResource Bank will be located atthe West Norfolk ProfessionalDevelopment Centre and it ishoped that during the year addi-tional centres will open in Norwichand Great Yarmouth.

Book boxesDuring the Summer Term PublicLibraries 'pilotted' a new servicefor playgroups in the south ofthe County. Under the newscheme playgroups wereoffered theme boxes. Each ofthe boxes contains up to 25story and non-fiction booksand, where possible tapes andtoys. The box also contained anevaluation form which gaveplaygroup workers the chanceto suggest other themes fornew collections. During theAutumn Term this service willbe widened across the rest ofthe County, with the hope thatthis service will help Playgroupsto address the Early LearningGoals whilst still encouragingthem to share books and stories with children. ContactDorne Fraiser from the LibraryService for more information.

First ever combined inspectionsOfsted has informed the EYDCPthat it is to start combinedinspections from September.Information will be sent to settings and the EYDCP aboutone month in advance ofinspections. Link teachers (forFoundation Stage curriculum)and Norfolk Early Years SupportNetwork Day Care Advisers (forCare Standards) will be able to help settings to get ready forinspection. Further details of the joint help available for thecombined inspections will becirculated shortly.

Joint trainingThere is a move to bring together all Foundation Stagepractitioners from the maintainedand non-maintained sectors forjoint training from 2003.

Apart from the sessions to lookat the Foundation Stage Profilethe Advisory Service NumeracyTeam will be providing jointtraining on the latest DfES guid-ance during October andNovember. Dates and venueshave been set. Please refer tothe Foundation Stage TrainingBooklet for details.

Foundation Stage TrainingAll Foundation Stage Practitioners in the voluntary and private sector receiving theNursery Education Grant are expected toattend two training days during 2002-03.The EYDCP's Training Team in associationwith their training partners have developeda programme of courses. All details areavailable in the new Foundation StageTraining Booklet – due to be distributed atthe start of September.

Foundation Stage Profile (FSP) New for 2002/2003The FSP is a summary of each child'sprogress and learning needs at the end of the Foundation Stage. It is a vital tool in the delivery of successful Early YearsEducation. It is broadly based on practitioner'sobservations and assessments and is stillunder development, with an aim to use itfrom June 2003.

During the Autumn Term there will be a series of sessions for Foundation StagePractitioners to discuss FSP. For more detailsof the Working Together courses, see theFoundation Stage Training Booklet.

Are you missing out on funding for three year olds?The EYDCP will continue funding early educationfor three year olds for two terms (i.e. the term of their fourth birthday and the term before) In areas of disadvantage the EYDCP will fund children for three terms. See table below fordetails. The overall aim is to have in place univer-sal provision for all three year olds by September2004. Current take up is 61%.

Child will Free education Additional forbe three in provided Disadvantaged

Area's

Sept 2002Oct 2002 April - July 2003 Jan - MarchNov 2002 Sept - Dec 2003 2003Dec 2002

Jan 2003 Sept - Dec 2003 April - JulyFeb 2003 and 2003Mar 2003 Jan - Mar 2004

April 2003May 2003 Jan - Mar 2004 Sept - DecJune 2003 and 2003July 2003 April - July 2004Aug 2003

Sept 2003Oct 2003 April - Dec 2004 Jan - MarNov 2003 2004Dec 2003

Who pays?

Child A three year old Funded bylives in attends pre-school in

Norfolk Norfolk NorfolkNorfolk Suffolk SuffolkNorfolk Cambridge/ Norfolk

LincolnshireSuffolk Norfolk NorfolkCambridge/ Norfolk Cambridge/Lincolnshire Lincolnshire

Are you a member of the plan?There are still settings, which have not yet joinedthe Plan. Remember that funding is only availablefor three and four year olds where the setting is amember of the Plan. Resource packs for settingsjoining the Plan will be available from September,ask your Early Years Co-ordinators for more details.

ClaimsPlease remember that only those children whoare registered on or before the term Headcountdate can be included on the funding claim. The Headcount date for the Autumn Term is 19thSeptember, and the contacts are: Martin Brock: 01603 22 24 32Jayne Dyndal: 01603 22 34 96Hilary Bradshaw: 01603 22 24 27

Foundation Stage

early education

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As from September this will include specialistsupport time from Autistic SpectrumDisorder assistants. Jackie Gay left the teamat the end of last term – thanks to Jackie forher much valued work.

The Norfolk EYDCP is well on the way to meeting the government targets in providing area SENCO's and ensuring thatall setting have a SENCO. The task for usnow is to further develop the service toensure that all children access effectiveearly education, that transition from onephase of education to another is properlyplanned and that early educators work in partnership with other agencies in theinterests of the children.

Training support based SENCO's mustundergo two training days in 2002-03.Attendance at Conferences, such as SENCO2002, count towards training requirements.

Guidance for fundingFunding for additional support for three andfour year old children with special educa-tional needs is a major issue and at timesthe subject of much confusion. Revisedguidance will be sent to all setting SENCO'sin September.

ConsultationThe EYDCP has been asked to respond to anumber of consultation documents.

Together from the start Practical guidance for professionals work-ing with disabled children (birth to two) and their families.

This is a consultation document jointlyissued by the Department for Education andSkills and the Department of Health. It isconcerned with the delivery of services to children with disabilities in the age range birth to two and their families. We arecurrently drafting our response. If you wouldlike your views and comments includedplease contact Jan Smith before the finaldocument is submitted to the DfES onSeptember 23rd 2002, email comments [email protected]

Supporting the cost of home-basedchildcareA proposal to approve home childcares,and so enable parents to access childcaretax element of the Working Tax Credit

The EYDCP consulted with key partners andsubmitted our comments to the DfES. Weare awaiting their response.

audit of earlyyears education Meetings to share outcomes of the Audit took place during the summer term in areas of perceived highest shortfall of earlyeducation places. Representatives from all early education settings and schools were invited. Information was shared and action plans drawn up. The Audit identified that some areas had greaterneeds than others.

Priority for action will be given to areas of disadvantage wherethere is a shortfall of places for three and four year olds.Concentrating secondly on all other shortfalling areas.

Capital funding is available to support the development of two orthree new nursery classes in areas of disadvantage during 2002-03, where there is a significant shortfall of places and no other initiatives are being developed. Some schools have allocated theirown capital funds to support developments

Schools highest on the list for developments are:

Herman First School in Gorleston to develop a nursery class for 26part time places from summer term 2003

West Walton Primary and Marshland St James First School for 13part time places each from autumn term 2003

Redcastle Furze Primary School in Thetford for 26 part time placesfrom spring term 2003

ConsultationPublic notices for the four schools will be published on 6thSeptember. (Consultation period is two months).

Consultation with the EYDCP will take place at local and county levelduring the autumn term.

All developments are linked with childcare and Sure Start initiativesin the areas.

The proposal for all the new nursery classes is to explore opportu-nities to extend the places and provide integrated early years education and childcare (wrap-around) for three and four year oldsin the not too distant future.

early educationSpecial Educational Needs The area SENCO team is growing and as from September this year will be organised on the basis of High School catchments, which is in keeping with the organisation of the Linkteachers. We also hope to develop a Support Team for each setting. The area Sencos willalso continue to work with the Norfolk Early Years Support Network, and with the PartnershipDevelopment Teams.

The names of the area SENCO's and the areas they cover are listed below. Anne Thatcherhas retired and we thank her for all her work as an area SENCO over the past two years.Carol Pennycook joins the team as from January 2003 and in the meantime Joy Tooley willcover her patch.

Chris Baldwin West Walton, Downham Market Leslie Tott Terrington St Clement, Hunstanton,Swaffham, Watton, Methwold, Thetford Sylvia Houseago North Walsham, Aylsham,Hoveton, Stalham Liz Player Wells, Sheringham, Cromer, Fakenham, Reepham, Litcham Gill Ellison Norwich Jill Brooks Sprowston, Thorpe, Framingham Earl, Hethersett Jill CliffordDereham, Costessey, Hellesdon, Taverham Joy Tooley Martham, Caister, Gorleston, GtYarmouth, Acle, Loddon Carol Pennycook Wymondham, Attleborough, Long Stratton,Harlesdon, Diss (from January 2003)

A small team of specialist support assistants work with the area SENCO's. They continue toprovide focussed short-term support, working under the guidance of the area SENCO's.

If you have any general queries about the area SENCO team pleasecontact the secretary on

01603 76 47 07

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celebrating national childcare monthThis year was the first time a full month ofprogrammes and events around the countyhad ever been planned. In association withour partner organisations, we arrangedplaydays, roadshows, fundays and localcommunity events, culminating in our standthe Royal Norfolk Show. All events weredesigned to celebrate childcare and boostrecruitment and registration.

We gained good coverage in the local pressand on the radio. People all over the countybegan to recognise what the EYDCP wasabout and become interested in our work.

Here is a small sample of the fantastic timewe had!

Cash Boost For New Toy Library

a new toy library will be able to hit the road and benefit even more

children thanks to a generous cash boost from childcare chiefs

Evening News July 9th 2002

EYDCPout and about at this years Royal Norfolk

Show

Early Morning Call from Breakfast Club

Radio Norfolk's Roy Waller helps youngsters kick

start the dayEvening News July 9th 2002

At Your ServiceParents urged to get involved in childcare

month eventsEvening News June 5th 2002

EYDCPon hand to help out in Thetford

Thetford & Watton TimesJuly 31st 2002

109


The Norfolk Quality Kitemark gets underway

The pilot scheme, announced in the lastissue, has been kick started this Autumnready for roll out. Welcome to Janet Morgan,who has been appointed Quality AssuranceCo-ordinator. Janet will be involved in running two information sessions, precedingthe roll out, which should give you all thebackground information you need to helpachieve the Norfolk Quality Kitemark. Wehope you will be able to attend - details canbe found in Diary Dates on the back cover. Ateam of mentors have also been appointedto support this initiative

Investors In Children Award updateThis is a national quality rating schemelaunched by the DfES. It ties in well with theNorfolk Quality Kitemark so we will be liasingclosely with the DfES to ensure the Kitemarkmeets the criteria of Investors in Children.

Following local consultation comments werepassed to the DfES. We are expecting aresponse later this term. Indications are thatthe award will be based on:

● Ofsted Inspection results

● Approved quality assurance accreditation

● Qualifications, education and trainingof staff

News from the EastIn this edition of Partnership News we hearfrom the East Team.

"The last term was an exciting and busytime for the South and East Developmentteam. To improve our knowledge of localcommunities and help us develop suitable provision we have been actively distributingthousands of questionnaires to parents,Feedback was provided at public meetings.Thank you to the schools for your supportand to all those parents who returned thequestionnaires. Holiday playschemes, afterschool schemes and care for babies arecurrently the highest demand.

In June we submitted a bid to the NewOpportunities Fund for start up funding of£272,000 for an amazing 466 new child-care places in the South and East of Norfolk.These included wraparound places, afterSchool places, breakfast clubs and holidayplayschemes. This follows a successful bidin February this year for around £85,000 tocreate 194 new childcare places for ourarea. In September the team will begin tosend out questionnaires to parents in theWymondham and Acle areas.

On 7th May our office at HavenbridgeHouse, North Quay, Great Yarmouth wasofficially opened by NEYDCP Chair DorothyWedge and Radio Broadland DJ GregMartin. About 20 children from St. NicholasChildren’s Centre After School Club came tohelp us celebrate and we were joined bylots of other guests."

Jill Warwick Partnership Area Team Leader

New opportunitiesfund (NOF)The EYDCP has done extremely well. In thelatest Round it was granted funding for 673new childcare places.

In the June Round we submitted a bid forwell over 1000 places.

Although the funding for childcare places isincreasing the numbers opening is still rela-tively low. The summer holiday has shownyet again that there still is a tremendousshortage of childcare facilities.

Two more chances to bid There are only two rounds left for NewOpportunity Funding. Anyone who is awareof childcare needs in their community andis thinking about setting up or expanding achildcare service has just two more oppor-tunities to bid for a grant from the NationalLottery Opportunities Fund. Deadlines forthe final two rounds are October 2002 andFebruary 2003. Local Partnership Teamscan help identifying needs and putting thebids together.

Got funding…what next?The EYDCP is aware of the difficultiesproviders are experiencing when setting up provision. To help, training courses,workshops, literature and support are inplace. We can help with business planning,management training, meeting Ofstedrequirements, marketing clinics and manyother areas. Please see Training News forspecific course details, dates and venues,or contact the Childcare Information Serviceon 01603 62 22 92.

Ofsted (pathways toregistration)Over recent months, DfES and Ofsted havebeen working together to address theshortfall in the number of newly registeredchildcare places. As a result they haveagreed a joint action plan. These include:

To clear all outstanding applications over fivemonths old and to aim to establish registrationtimes as 12 weeks for childminders and 25weeks for providers of day-care

To improve local communications betweenOfsted and EYDCP's

To track potential providers from expressionof interest to Ofsted registration, and support them through the process

At local level, the new Care StandardsOfficer, Sue Dale, will be responsible for this.

Day-care expansionMore and more pre-schools and even someschools are developing or considering'wrap-around' or extended care. During theautumn term there will be a number ofGraowing Your Pre-school courses aroundthe county for pre-schools wishing to extendtheir provision.

Day-care expansion grant (Revenue & Capital)

This grant is aimed at providing support forany group provider of early educationintending to expand their services from thetraditional 2.5-hour early years education to provide a longer day-care facility. Themaximum amount of revenue fundingavailable for a new extended place is £380and capital £285. Only a few grants havebeen paid out so far. There is still fundingleft for 2002-03.

Growing your pre-schoolThis course has been designed for staff andvolunteers in pre-schools who would like to expand the service they offer to families of young children. These courses start in October 2002. For more information contact the Childcare Information Service on 01603 62 22 92.

Case study Day-care expansion grant – Old Buckenham pre-school

The pre-school at Buckenham moved into its own premises and subsequentlydoubled its provision. That move (and registration with OFSTED for full day care)enabled them to apply for the Day-careexpansion grant.

It was anticipated that there would be slowand steady build up to 16 children attend-ing, however the scheme has been hugelypopular with 30 out of 38 children on theregister staying for lunch on a regular basislast term. The feedback from parents isextremely positive.

Wraparound care eases the difficulties forworking parents and enables them to havemore flexibility in their working patterns,and the children can gain valuable socialskills. The grant has facilitated the appoint-ment of a new member of staff, which haseased the burden on the team and willalso be used to purchase equipment to support the lunchtime activities.

Developing childcare

Case study Silver Road Childcare Facility - a developing project

In 2001 St. Mary Magdalene and St. George's Pre School Groupswere in financial difficulty, it seemed the only future for the Pre SchoolGroup was to develop an all day service for children aged 0 to 12.

A planning group including representatives of local parents, the two local Pre School Groups, and local schools and churches was formed. Assisted by the EYDCP and its development workers a survey was carried out with local parents and carers to assessdemand and a public meeting was held.

As a result a Business Plan was drawn up and the Silver RoadChildcare Facility Group was born in January of this year they beganto apply for grants. Since then £8000 was received from Lloyds TSB tofund part of a Project manager and an architect. In February £26 521was granted from the New Opportunities Fund for the ProjectManager, Breakfast, After School & Holiday Club.

The Childcare Facility can be used not only by local people but also by those commuting into Norwich from the north and east ofthe city. As a result local people, including single parents and theunemployed, will have an easily accessible, affordable facilityenabling them to return to work or take up training opportunities.

The Group is now exploring opportunities to develop aNeighbourhood Nursery.

Sure StartRural Sure Start in the Fen Border villages Cambridgeshire and Norfolk EYDCPs were successful in securingnational project funding to run a mini rural Sure Start programme in the Fen Border villages from 2002-04. This fundingwill help to develop local activities in the villages and bring new serv-ices and facilities to families. The activities will, in time, link to the newNeighbourhood Nursery in Emneth and Wisbech.

Sure Start updateThree new Sure Starts were recently announced for Norfolk to sup-port the North Norfolk, West, Breckland and Central Norwich areas.It is too early to say if the Sure Starts will develop NeighbourhoodNurseries, but interest has already been expressed by them.

Neighbourhood nurseries

The EYDCP is working with a number of providers in developingNeighbourhood Nurseries creating an additional 350 new childcareplaces with initiatives developing across the county.

Early Excellence Centre The governors have finalised and submitted building plans for plan-ning permission for Earlham Early Years Centre (formally EarlhamNursery School)

childcareA key goal for the EYDCP is to close the childcare gap between childcare places in disadvantagedareas and others. The EYDCP actively support the development of integrated early years, childcareand family support services.

Initiatives such as out-of-school childcare, Early Excellence, Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative and Sure Start all aim to work with parents, children and young people so they can flourish athome, school and in later life.

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Childminder Start-Up grantIf you are applying for a Start-Up grant forchildminding, our staff can visit you and talkthrough your application. Grants of £300and up to £600 are available to help withthe start-up cost of childminding and theNCCMA can advise on how the grant maybe best used.

Childminder support grantChildminders in identified areas can applyfor a support grant. This grant supports registered childminders, is administeredthrough the EYDCP and offers childmindersfinancial support for un-filled places. Yourlocal County Liason Officer will have moredetails. Application packs are availablefrom Rachel Jackson on 01603 22 25 21.

Cross-border initiativesNCCMA is working with partners in Suffolkand Cambridgeshire Early Years Devel-opment and Childcare Partnerships todevelop childminding networks to operateacross the Norfolk borders:

The Emneth Childminding Network, co-ordinated by Sarah Vick, is planning toexpand to operate over the Fen Border SureStart area.

We are also joining with KeystoneCommunity Partnership in Thetford to bidfor funds to set up a Network, which willoperate across the border into Suffolk.

News from our networksNCCMA County Liaison Officers are sup-porting the development of childmindingnetworks in the county.

In Norwich Linda Wright and DebbieDawson, have spent the summer termworking on the development of this network.

In Emneth Sarah Vick started as NetworkCo-ordinator and has been very busy contacting childminders about the develop-ment of the childminder network that will beto be attached to the Nursery School.

In King's Lynn Stephanie Copeland startedas Network Co-ordinator and will be basedwithin Sure Start’s premises at Oak Circle,Gaywood. (telephone number to follow)This will be a 20 childminder network, withhalf the childminders serving King’s LynnNursery School and other half workingalongside the King’s Lynn Sure Start team.

In Great Yarmouth Nikki Bird, County LiaisonOfficer assumed management responsibilityfor the Great Yarmouth ChildmindingNetwork on April 1st 2002.

A Network Co-ordinator was appointed,welcome to Sally Lee.

Childminder Information SessionsSessions are available this term, please seeDiary Dates on the back cover for moreinformation.


Over the last few monthsthe Childcare InformationService has undergonemany changes, not leastour move to new premisesat St Andrews House inJanuary. Since that timewe have been manuallyupdating your records toput on a new database.This new database is gov-ernment supported andhas a link to the nationalwebsite. If you have previ-ously given us permissionto place your informationon the internet and youwould like to view yourinformation please look atwww.childcarelink.org.uk

Efforts are ongoing to supply your details to as many people throughout Norfolk aspossible, and also to offer new resourcesthat assist you as providers. As our servicegrows, we can send your details to a largernumber of people, helping support yourbusiness.

Information Information is available for:

● Parents thinking about local childcarefacilities

● People thinking of a new career inchildcare

● People working in childcare that arethinking about training and becomingbetter qualified

● Employers who are thinking about theiremployee’s childcare needs.

Plus new leaflets including:

Information packs for anyone interested insetting up a childcare facility or becoming achildminder.

Fact sheets for anyone considering a careerin childminding or setting up a provision.The fact sheets include details on the rangeand types of benefits that you may be ableto access.

Leaflets for parents with information on thedifferent types of childcare available. Theyinclude pre-schools, day nurseries, afterschool care, childminders and nannies. Wehave also produced a leaflet on 3 and 4year old funding and what to look for in aquality childcare provision.

CIS leaflet with information about theChildcare Information Service, and what itcan do for you?

Think Three Think Free designed to informparents of their entitlement to early yearsfunding for children aged three and four.The leaflet is constantly reviewed andupdated, until such time as the county hassecured enough funding for all three andfour year olds.

Help us keep your records up to dateSo we can continue to provide an accurateinformation service, it is important that alldetails are up to date. If your provisiondetails change in any way let us know.

Data protection actThe Childcare Information Service releasesdata to all sectors of the community, andbecause of the Data Protection Act, all provisions must complete and sign anagreement form. The Childcare InformationService will be in contact soon with moreinformation and the forms for completion.

childcare information service

If you are thinking of becoming a childminder -Norfolk County Childminding Association is hereto help! NCCMA's support for childminding has grown further this year thanks to furtherfunding from the Early Years Development andChildcare Partnership.

NCCMA staff can now contact everyone who has attended Childminding InformationSessions and offer help and support through theregistration process. In addition, we also providechildminder training throughout Norfolk.

childminding update

For a copy of any of our new literature please call

Monday to Friday on 01603 62 22 92 All our literature is accessible via your local

Forums. The Childcare Information Service areaiming to set up a partnership distribution

system later on in the year.

GraduatesSet The StandardEastern Daily Press June 13th

2002 (Job Search)

1413


News updateSince Easter the Network have been work-ing to a new agreement with the LocalAuthority via the EYDCP to offer a supportservice to providers to enable them to meetthe requirements of the 14 National DaycareStandards. The Network’s team of DaycareAdvisors are available to make visits toproviders prior to their transitional Ofstedinspections and work through the require-ments with them. The aim of this service isto assist providers to be as prepared aspossible for the inspection.

Many of you have already taken advantageof this service, and the feedback has been

very positive, with everyone finding it veryhelpful and supportive. Where providers havealready had their transitional inspection theAdvisors are able to offer advice and supportin meeting any issues arising from it. Advisorshave also been continuing their role of sup-porting staff and committees in meeting theirlegal responsibilities in areas such as CharityLaw, Employment and Health & Safety andare always willing to talk through any queriesthat providers may have.

The Network Admin Centre at 115 City RdNorwich is also available as a source ofadvice and information. The Centre is openterm time, Monday to Friday from 9.30amto 3.30pm and staff are available by phone

01603 219300 or in person. If we can be ofassistance to you, or you would like toarrange a visit from a Daycare Advisorplease let us know.

The Network also have a full programme oftraining planned for the Autumn term, fulldetails of which appeared in the Summeredition of the Training News. Places onthese courses can be booked via thePartnership Training Team. If you would liketo discuss the content of the courses, ortheir suitability for your present needs, con-tact the Network Admin Centre and we willbe happy to talk this through with you.

norfolk early years support network

Norfolk Children's Fund extended to 2006Exciting things are happening for theChildren's Fund in Norfolk.

Recent good news is that as a result of thetreasury review, funding has been extendedto 2006, so Norfolk's 5 to 13 year olds cancontinue to reap the benefits of Children'sFund services.

With more services ready to begin deliverythis couldn't be more timely. There are now35 services working in partnership acrossthe county and new service proposals con-tinuing to come forward for approval. Formore details contact Nicky Dawson on01603 49 51 21.

NHS childcare strategy gets much needed resource

Norfolk and Suffolk EYDCP's with the NHShave developed a partnership to supportthe recruitment of an NHS Childcare Co-ordinator in the Gorleston/Waveney area.The Co-ordinator will help develop andimplement family employment practises,which in turn help employers provide a better balance of work and family life.

We also congratulate all involved in the successful PCT bid for childcare developmentin Norwich NHS hospital, and look forward tomore news next issue.

Great news for young parents!In Great Yarmouth, the Partnership for Healthis funding a scheme, which will not only provide childcare places but also helpfulsupport and advice for young parents. Thescheme will extend the work of the GreatYarmouth Young Women's Project and will also involve young fathers. The aim ofthe scheme is for childminders to work with teenage parents on developing theirself-advocacy and parenting skills, whileboosting their self-esteem. The childcaresupport will enable them to attend trainingor education and/or employment.

Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA) –working hard this summer!The PLA development workers regularlymeet parents as part of their work, but thissummer has been exceptional. In conjunctionwith the National Alliance Playweek and the National Childcare Month, the PLAorganised two very successful fundays.Adults and children all joined in, gaininguseful play ideas that can be used at home.We hope similar events can be repeatednext year. For a play activities informationpack, contact the PLA on 01603 767525.

partner focus

Course Title Childminder Information Sessions

Venue The Annex, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich

Date and Duration Tuesday 10 September 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Tuesday 15 October 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Wednesday 6 November 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Tuesday 3 December 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Venue Sheringham Community Primary School, Cooper Road, off Holway Road


Date and Duration Thursday 7 November 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Venue Dereham Neatherd Community High School,Norwich Road, Dereham


Venue North Walsham Infants School, Manor Road, North Walsham


Venue Unit 5 North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, King's Lynn

Date and Duration Monday 9 September 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Date and Duration Wednesday 16 October 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Date and Duration Thursday 7 November 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Venue Terrington St Clements Primary School, 72 Churchgate Way

Date and Duration Wednesday 6 November 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Venue Wayland Community High School, Merton Way, Watton

Date and Duration Wednesday 13 November 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Venue Magdalen Methodist Church, Magdalen Way, Gorleston

Date and Duration Tuesday 10 September 2002 9.30 – 11.30am

Venue Loddon First School, Kitten Lane, Loddon


Venue Havenbridge House, Great Yarmouth

Date and Duration Tuesday 8 October 2002 7.30 –9.30pm

Course Title Daycare Information Sessions

Venue Norwich - The Annex, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich

Date and Duration 12 September 2002 7.30 – 9.30pm

Date and Duration 8 October 2002 7.30 – 9.30pm

Date and Duration 12 November 2002 7.30 – 9.30pm

Course Title Marketing For Success

Venue Norwich Sports Village Hotel, Norwich

Date and Duration 14 October 2002 9.30am – 4.30pm

Venue Tea Park View Hotel, King's Lynn

Date and Duration 15 October 2002 9.30am – 4.30pm

Course Title Network for Success

Venue Norwich Sports Village Hotel, Norwich


Venue Dukes Head Regal Hotel, King's Lynn


Venue The Bell Hotel, Thetford


Venue Elizabeth Hotel, Great Yarmouth


Forum Dates East Norfolk Forum

Venue 2nd Floor, Havenbridge House, Great Yarmouth

Date and Time 7th October 2002 1.30 pm

Venue 2nd Floor, Havenbridge House, Great Yarmouth

Date and Time 3rd December 2002 1.30 pm

South Norfolk Forum

Venue Swan House, Long Stratton, Norfolk

Date and Time 17th October 2002 7.30 pm

Venue TBC

Date and Time 12th December 2002 7.30 pm

Broadland Forum

Venue Hillbillies Playhouse, Taverham, Norwich

Date and Time 12th September 2002 7.30 pm

Venue Norwich PDC (Woodside Road)

Date and Time 12th November 2002 7.30 pm

Norwich Forum

Venue Treehouse Children's Centre, Chatham St, Norwich


(7pm networking)

Venue St Andrews House, St Andrews Street, Norwich

Date and Time 6th November 2002 7.30 pm

(7pm networking)

North Norfolk Forum

Venue Fakenham Childrens Day Centre, Fakenham


Venue TBC

Date and Time 4th November 2002 1.30 - 3.30pm

Course Title Quality Assurance Information Sessions

Venue Norwich Sports Village, Norwich

Date and Time 16th September 2002 1.30 - 3.30pm

Venue Knights Hotel, King's Lynn

Date and Time 20th September 2002 1.30 - 3.30pm

diary dates

...about childcare or early years education please call the Norfolk Childcare Information Service on 01603 62 22 92 for details

whatever you're

thinking ...

Documents

partnership pages 7 - 8