Useful early years information

Support, advice and guidance for schools and educational settings

Early Years Essential Newsletter

The Early Years Essential Newsletter contains useful Early Years local news and updates:

Early Years support for improving practice and provision

Early Years providers who become less than Good at their most recent Ofsted inspection

Providers (settings and childminders) who receive an Inadequate or Requires Improvement Ofsted inspection outcome need to contact MKCC as there are implications for their Early Education Funding (EEF). Funding may be removed until at least a Good Ofsted outcome grade is received. Providers agree to be EYFS compliant in order to receive EEF each year through signing the agreement in MKCC’s Provider Guidance. The Provider Guidance effective from April 2023 is below:

EY Provider Guidance

Less than Good providers (rated at their most recent inspection) will be invited to attend an action planning meeting or phone call with the Improvement Partner for Early Years (IPEY), to discuss how they are making improvements to return to at least a Good Ofsted judgement.

Providers who become less than Good are encouraged to make swift contact the IPEY so action planning can be arranged. Limited support may be available, and each case will be considered on an individual basis.

Providers who become less than Good should contact:

Belinda Woodcock – IPEY or phone 01908 254929
Jennifer Bargrove or phone 01908 254071

Find local early years providers

A list of local Early Years providers can be found on the Ofsted website.

More information

Consultations

Childminder Consultation

The Department for Education are seeking views in respect to proposals to support childminders and childminder agencies (CMAs) and future policy development. The consultation runs until 10 May 2024.

Ofsted Consultation

The Ofsted Big Listen consultation is an opportunity for you to help Ofsted improve; it seeks views from across the remits Ofsted work with. The consultation ends on 31 May 2024.

Hungry Little Minds

A government initiative to encourage parents to use every day situations and activities to encourage children to chat play and read.

Eat Better Start Better

Guidance on providing a balanced diet for children in your care.

Study of Early Education and Development (SEED)

A study on the effect of early education on children’s outcomes and quality of provision.

Early Education Endowment Foundation

Information, advice, activities and interventions that can be used to support children from birth to five years.

BBC Tiny Happy People

Website with useful information and activities support children's learning.

Subscription to Early Years Essential (EYE) newsletter

This is published regularly throughout the year. It contains useful information for Milton Keynes settings, schools and childminders.

To subscribe please email Jennifer.Bargrove@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Disclaimer: Milton Keynes City Council accepts no responsibility for the actual content of any materials suggested as information sources in this publication, whether these are in the form of printed publications or on a website. Their use should not be interpreted as an endorsement of particular companies or their products.

The websites referred to in these materials existed at the time of going to print. Please check all website references carefully to see if they have changed and substitute other references where appropriate. Also, check all signposted training (whether MKCC or independent) meets the needs of your setting.