News
Essex Singing Together (music in the early years) Online sessions
15 September 2023
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.
Early Years and Childcare Climate Advice Pack Launch 2023
14 September 2023
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.
Essex Early Years Facebook Page
06 September 2023
The Essex Early Years Facebook page launched in April this year. Stay in the know, give us a follow
Observation and Assessment in the EYFS: 2023/2024
06 September 2023
New training for Autumn and Spring. Read for further details
One-to One and Group Support for Parents of Autistic Children
06 September 2023
Read more for information about peer group support

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.

Essex early years settings can advertise job vacancies for free for a whole year (saving £300 per setting)
Essex Teaching Awards 2023
06 June 2023
Nominations are now open for the Essex Teaching Awards 2023
Transition Training
31 May 2023
Learn about best practice around transitions in the early years. Event dates 14 June 2023 / 15 June 2023.

Interactive session - Strategies to better support the development of self-regulation in children. Event dates: 6th June 2023 / 8th June 2023
Early Years and Childcare Charter Members Forum
02 May 2023
EYC Charter Members Virtual Forum termly meeting - Date: 10 May 2023 from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Essex County Council Early Years Facebook Page
21 April 2023
Follow the new Essex County Council Early Years Facebook page!

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.
New Transition to School Passport for Reception 2023
24 March 2023
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.
Springfield Bees Pre-school Welly Walk
08 March 2023
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
If you are a parent in Essex, please share your views with us by completing our Early Years and Childcare Parent Survey.
Changes to the Bookstart Scheme
21 September 2022
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
Have your say! Please take the time to complete our training needs survey.
Kindness In The Community
20 July 2022
Stanway Preschool have shared with us an example of inspiring kindness in their community.
Oral Health Care
20 May 2022
Essex childminder shares good practice from local dental practice visit.
My Ofsted inspection experience - Rivenstars
17 May 2022
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.
Observation and Assessment in the EYFS
05 May 2022
EYFS practitioners are invited to attend our free online webinars taking place on 7 and 9 June 2022
'The Early Years in Essex - a vision for change'
28 April 2022
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
Summer Childcare Sufficiency Data Collection 2022
27 April 2022
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.
The Learning Walk - Ofsted
17 March 2022
Find out further information on the Ofsted inspection 'learning walk' and how this may benefit your setting.
Giving children in Essex the best start in life
10 February 2022
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 2022 - Nominations are now open
10 February 2022
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.
Communication and language approaches - Addressing disadvantage in the early years programme
02 February 2022
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.
Maximising School Attendance Event
19 January 2022
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.
OMEP Education for Sustainable Citizenship (ESC) Awards
13 January 2022
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.
Role of the play-worker for out of school provision
11 November 2021
The above training is taking place on 17 November 2021 09:30 - 11:30am . To book your place, visit Education Essex Online Booking System.
Introduction to Role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) - face to face Harlow
22 October 2021
SENCOs (new and established) are invited to attend a free introduction session in Harlow on Monday 22 November 2021 10am – 3pm
Safeguarding Level Two training bundle offer
22 September 2021
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).
Autism Education Trust Training
16 September 2021
Autumn training opportunities about Autism now available on Education Essex online booking system
Information event – Early Years S106 Funding
31 August 2021
Book your place for advice regarding the S106 application process.
New EYFS framework
15 June 2021
The revised EYFS framework should be followed from September 2021.

Find out how to book for courses on offer at Education Essex.
Early Years Foundation Stage Reforms briefing 2021
22 March 2021
An invite to a free briefing on the upcoming Early Years Foundation Stage reforms.
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.