News
Early years mental health event
02 March 2021
Book your place on a virtual training event on understanding emotional dynamics in the early years setting.
EYFS Annual Conference 2021
02 March 2021
All the details you need - including how to book - for this year's EYFS conference.
Elklan Training 3 to 5 years
08 September 2020
Book your place on a virtual course aimed at professionals working with pupils aged 3 to 5 years old.

Safeguarding children level 1 by the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) is now available again.
Fun resources for children about dental health
28 April 2020
A range of resources by Community Dental Health to teach young children about dental health and healthy eating.
Fun learning ideas with Talk, Listen and Cuddle
20 April 2020
Find out about the fun learning activities for parents, families and carers to do with their young children at home.

Advice on what to do if a child becomes unwell or is injured during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Essex is working closely with the Department for Education and the Department for Health, monitoring the Covid19 situation on a daily basis.

Public Health England video encouraging children to wash their hands regularly.
Coronavirus Update 13 March 2020
13 March 2020
Coronavirus Update 13 March 2020

Updated travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Public Health England about travelling to and from Italy.
Coronavirus Update from Clare Kershaw
12 March 2020
Coronavirus Update from Clare Kershaw

Information from the Department for Education about the government's Coronavirus action plan launched on 4 March 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): new helpline launched
04 March 2020
Information about the Department for Education Coronavirus helpline.

26 February 2020: updated advice to all early years providers, schools and further education providers from the Department for Education (DfE).
Coronavirus Update
26 February 2020
Update and guidance from Clare Kershaw, Director of Education on the Coronavirus
Coronavirus: government advice
11 February 2020
Advice From the Department for Education (DfE) for all early years providers, schools and further education providers
Funding boost for the free early education entitlement
20 January 2020
A message from Carolyn Terry, Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency and Sustainability Manager about the new funding rates for the free early education entitlement (FEEE) from 1 April 2020.
Stay cool in the summer heat!
31 July 2019
Advice from Public Health England on how to keep yourself and your little ones cool in the summer heat.
Hungry Little Minds
15 July 2019
Information about the Department for Education's three year campaign to encourage parents and carers to adopt positive activities and behaviours to boost children’s communication, language and literacy development and ways how on you can support the campaign. Kids love it when you read with them. It all goes in. Every single word.

See the latest update to the Southend, Essex, Thurrock (SET) Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.
Be the first to know!
03 June 2019
Sign-up to our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Newsletter to hear about upcoming courses and other news.
Have you notified Ofsted of changes to individuals?
21 March 2019
Early years and childcare providers, including childminders, must use Ofsted's EY3 form to notify them of certain changes to individuals, including names, addresses and any start or leave dates...
Parental mental health
21 March 2019
Advice and guidance from the NSPCC about the effects of parental mental health problems on babies and children.

Government guidance to help those who work in early years settings consider their practice and to take steps to safeguard both children and adults online.
Road safety resources for 3 to 6-year-olds
20 March 2019
A range of resources released by the Department for Transport's THINK! campaign designed to help practitioners and teachers highlight the dangers of the road to young children.
Digital support for childminders from the HMRC
20 March 2019
Find out about the support on offer for childminders from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Keeping under fives safe online (ChildNet)
19 March 2019
Guidance by ChildNet aimed at parents with children under five on how to support children in their internet use.
Example menus for early years settings
19 March 2019
Example menus developed by Public Health England to show how early years settings can offer food and drink to young children to meet the early years foundation stage welfare requirements.
Warning of giving whole grapes to children
14 March 2019
Nursery World highlights findings in a report by doctors who advise cutting up grapes and similar types of food into halves and ideally, into quarters to avoid young children choking.
Government Childcare Choices website
14 March 2019
The Childcare Choices website helps parents to find government support. There's also information for childcare providers.
Safer recruitment - checking references
14 March 2019
Advice to early years and childcare providers to ensure that references are checked before employing anyone.
Early years physical activity
13 March 2019
The Department of Health's infographic to promote physical activity in the under fives.
Got a DBS query?
13 March 2019
Find answers to the most common questions about the Disclosure and Barring Service by using their website.