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Young girl lying close to baby boy

Find out about the new EYFS addressing disadvantage sessions available this year.


Young black boy in nursery setting with toy teapot

Find out about training in early language and communication for mid Essex settings.


Young girl smiling in yellow painting apron

Find out about early language and communication sessions for settings in south Essex.


Chalking flowers on the floor around legs of young child

Find out about training for SENCOs working in early years.


Man and woman lying on stomachs playing with a toddler girl

Find out about and register interest for the Advanced Practitioner Course for Autism.


Woman talking to a young boy and looking at a book

A face to face course for parents and carers of children aged 5 or under, who have autism, whether diagnosed or not, or social communication needs.


Young childs hand playing with abacus

Training sessions are being delivered face-to-face and virtually by a maths specialist. Please visit the Education Essex online booking system for further information and to book.


Education Essex displayed on a laptop

This programme is to ensure your role as a new PVI manager, deputy, or rooms leader is effective within the context of the Ofsted inspection framework.


Woman cuddling a young girl

The committee forum is to give support and advice on issues around committee run settings.


Adult sitting at a table with young children painting

Do not miss this exciting opportunity. Read the article for further information and to book your place.


Adult reading with young child

Read the article for course information and how to book.


Smiling toddler in yellow jumper holding her hands up

The summer Early Language and Communication Network meeting has been brought forward from 19 July to 13 June 2024 from 10am to 12pm. Read the article to find out more.


The word training written on a blackboard

This training is open to all SENCos or persons from schools who are responsible for completing the young person's annual review for their Education Health and Care Plan.


Nursery practitioner playing with children

Course Date: 19 March 2024; 12-1pm, 2:30-3:30pm, or 6-7pm* *Delegates only need to attend one of the sessions


Book now

New 11 week course available for any practitioners working directly with autistic children/young people - all ages from nursery to college


Young children laying in a circle

Find out more about the new capital fund covering the whole County


EY charter member logo

As we look back on 2023, we want to celebrate the success of our early years charter group. Read on for some of the achievements the early years charter has taken part in.


Adults seated having discussion

Find out about the Autism Central peer to peer education programme and share with parents and carers


young children in classroom

Training to support children's language development


Adult woman with young child

A joined-up approach between services to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.


Toddler's hand on calculator

These sessions are new for practitioners to keep up to date with the changes to the early years funding streams (Inclusion funding and SEN Premium)


Pre school practitioner painting with children

Training available to ensure you are Ofsted ready


Boys with SEND smiling at each other

Dates: Session 1 - 6th November 2023 Session 2 - 20th November 2023 Time: 6.30 - 8pm Childminders need to attend both sessions


Adult playing with children

The early years school readiness music project is now available online. Although it is better for delegates to attend the face-to-face session, this online option is available as an alternative opportunity to take part.


Kids around the world

Join us for a free webinar to introduce the new Climate Advice Pack for early years. View the article to find out more and how to book.


Early Years facebook page logo child cuddling a toy rabbit another child under dinosaur blanket

The Essex Early Years Facebook page launched in April this year. Stay in the know, give us a follow


Adults having a discussion

New training for Autumn and Spring. Read for further details


mother showing 2 young children a screen

Read more for information about peer group support


Essex Early Years Charter Member 2023 logo

Details on the Essex Early Years Charter forum, with booking links to join for the Autumn 2023 term. Information on the Active Small Grants Programme is also available.


Young girl in hard hat giving thumbs up

Essex early years settings can advertise job vacancies for free for a whole year (saving £300 per setting)


Essex Teaching Awards logo

Nominations are now open for the Essex Teaching Awards 2023


Transition Training

31 May 2023
Practitioner and children

Learn about best practice around transitions in the early years. Event dates 14 June 2023 / 15 June 2023.


Young children on a mat talking with adult

Interactive session - Strategies to better support the development of self-regulation in children. Event dates: 6th June 2023 / 8th June 2023


Baby laughing

EYC Charter Members Virtual Forum termly meeting - Date: 10 May 2023 from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm


ECC Early Years Facebook page logo

Follow the new Essex County Council Early Years Facebook page!


Early Years Charter Membership badge 2023

Free virtual workshop 26 April 2023 6-9pm. Please come and join us for a free virtual workshop for Early Years Charter Members. The bespoke session will cover tips and advice on engaging families throughout the Early Help Intervention, including a Team around the Family meeting and creating an Early Help Plan.


Young girl in school setting

The Early Years Team have issued the new Transition to School Passport for children who are due to start in reception class in September 2023.


Parent and child learning outside

Rachel Lane, Business Manager at Springfield Bees Pre-school, shared with us their recent Welly Walk event in a local park, enjoyed by their children and their families.


Parent Survey 2022

03 November 2022
Keyboard survey

If you are a parent in Essex, please share your views with us by completing our Early Years and Childcare Parent Survey.


Young girl choosing a book

The Bookstart Scheme is changing this year. Please read our update to find out how pre-schools, nurseries, and childminders will be involved this year.


Training needs survey

13 September 2022
Post its with question marks

Have your say! Please take the time to complete our training needs survey.


Hands holding

Stanway Preschool have shared with us an example of inspiring kindness in their community.


Oral Health Care

20 May 2022
Young boy brushing teeth

Essex childminder shares good practice from local dental practice visit.


Picture of a room with tables and chairs in an early years setting

Rivenstars were recently inspected and had a very positive experience and outcome. In this article Ruth, who is the owner and manager, shares her experience and tips.


Teacher with young children

EYFS practitioners are invited to attend our free online webinars taking place on 7 and 9 June 2022


Child with toy camers

Saturday 21 May 9:30am – 5pm at a cost of £35 per person. Please come and join us for this year’s face-to-face EYFS Conference. The conference will take place at Colchester Community Stadium. Tea, coffee, and lunch will be provided


Calendar

The summer term may bring longer days and sunshine, but it also brings the annual childcare sufficiency data collection. We are asking that by 1st July , all childcare providers take the opportunity to go into the Early Years Portal to review and update the details held on the system.


Young child learning to walk

Find out further information on the Ofsted inspection 'learning walk' and how this may benefit your setting.


Child and practitioner playing with shapes

Our new Early Years and Childcare strategy sets out our vision for children and families across the county, read more about our plans.


Essex Teaching Awards logo

Nominations are now open for the Essex teaching Awards 2022 - anyone can nominate individuals or teams working in early years and childcare and educational workforce, in the Essex local authority area.


Early years practitioner assisting two young children

We are offering free Communication and language approaches training in early February and March 2022 for professionals working with 0-25s and families. To book your place please visit Education Essex Online booking system.


Children in classroom setting

Education leaders, SENCOs, pastoral leads and attendance teams are invited to attend a free virtual session on Thursday 3 March 2022 9:30am - 12:30pm.


Child pouring water into a watering can

Jayne's Nursery and OMEP-UK Early Childhood Education for Sustainable Citizenship (ESC) Award scheme, developed to support the early years sector to become more knowledgeable about sustainable development.


Adult playing with child

The above training is taking place on 17 November 2021 09:30 - 11:30am . To book your place, visit Education Essex Online Booking System.


Practitioner with children

SENCOs (new and established) are invited to attend a free introduction session in Harlow on Monday 22 November 2021 10am – 3pm


Pair of hands holding paper cut out of family group

The safeguarding training arrangements for EYFS settings have recently been reviewed. All staff within a setting must have Level two training, at least annually. The safeguarding lead must have Level three training. We are offering a discount bundle for Safeguarding level two training for Essex early years and childcare education establishments (including childminders with assistants).


Education Essex on laptop screen

Autumn training opportunities about Autism now available on Education Essex online booking system


Education Essex laptop screen

Book your place for advice regarding the S106 application process.


New EYFS framework

15 June 2021
Girl standing with EYFS changes advertised

The revised EYFS framework should be followed from September 2021.


Children learning in class

An invite to a free briefing on the upcoming Early Years Foundation Stage reforms.


Computer keyboard with e-learning button

Book your place on a virtual training event on understanding emotional dynamics in the early years setting.


Book now graphic

All the details you need - including how to book - for this year's EYFS conference.


Elklan Training 3 to 5 years

08 September 2020
Children writing in class

Book your place on a virtual course aimed at professionals working with pupils aged 3 to 5 years old.


child holding adult's finger

Safeguarding children level 1 by the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) is now available again.


Young child brushing teeth

A range of resources by Community Dental Health to teach young children about dental health and healthy eating.


Talk, Listen and Cuddle logo

Find out about the fun learning activities for parents, families and carers to do with their young children at home.


Teddy bear with a bandaged leg and head

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


COVID 19 - Coronavirus - Cancelled training programme

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


Child hands washing under a running tap

Public Health England video encouraging children to wash their hands regularly.


White question mark on pink background

Coronavirus Update 13 March 2020


A suitcase

Updated travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Public Health England about travelling to and from Italy.


Post it notes with question marks on

Coronavirus Update from Clare Kershaw


Action plan

Information from the Department for Education about the government's Coronavirus action plan launched on 4 March 2020.


Male hand washing with soap

Information about the Department for Education Coronavirus helpline.


Child sneezing into a tissue

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
Thermometer

Update and guidance from Clare Kershaw, Director of Education on the Coronavirus


Thermometer

Advice From the Department for Education (DfE) for all early years providers, schools and further education providers


A stack of coins

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.


Ice cubes

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
Baby in trolley Hungry Little Minds campaign

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.


Guidelines

See the latest update to the Southend, Essex, Thurrock (SET) Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.


Be the first to know!

03 June 2019
Subscribe

Sign-up to our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Newsletter to hear about upcoming courses and other news.


Woman on the telephone sitting at a desk using her laptop

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
Man with his head in his hands

Advice and guidance from the NSPCC about the effects of parental mental health problems on babies and children.


Computer key saying Internet Security

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.


Adult holding children's hands crossing the road

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.


Hands using a calculator

Find out about the support on offer for childminders from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)


Boy using a laptop

Guidance by ChildNet aimed at parents with children under five on how to support children in their internet use.


Food on a plate

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.


Grapes

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.


child playing with a toy teapot

The Childcare Choices website helps parents to find government support. There's also information for childcare providers.


Lady being interviewed

Advice to early years and childcare providers to ensure that references are checked before employing anyone.


Baby crawling

The Department of Health's infographic to promote physical activity in the under fives.


Got a DBS query?

13 March 2019
Colured tiles with question marks on them

Find answers to the most common questions about the Disclosure and Barring Service by using their website.