Terms of Reference (TOR) - EYRG
Core representation of the group
The following Early Years representatives from the sector will form membership of the group:
Cannock
- Rob Lawford - Childminder
- Sarah McCormick - Little Owl Childcare (also Lichfield)
East Staffordshire
- Sharon Keane - Childminder
Lichfield
- Philip Siddell* & Tim Hopkins - Humpty Dumpty Day Nursery / *PVI rep on Schools Forum
- Helen Townsend - Hey Diddle / Catkins Nursery
Moorlands
- Natasha Richards - Cheadle Kindergarten
Newcastle
- Natasha Richards - Wolstanton Kindergarten
- Sally Lynch - Oaklands Nusery
South Staffordshire
Stafford
- Joanne di Castiglione & Natalie Hart - Greenhall Nursery School & Little Learners
- Julie Wetton & Michelle Lindley - Sandytots
- Megan McComiskie - Colwich Playgroup
- Sadie Shenton-Jones - Dollymixtures
Tamworth
- Sharon Shilling - Fierte Academy Trust
Staffordshire County Council Membership
- Chair: Helen Gibson - EY Lead
- Vice chair: Sarah McDowell-Improvement & Inclusion Lead for Early Years (North)
- Rosie Boardman-Improvement and Inclusion Lead for Early Years (South)
- Kev Taylor - Early Years Funding, Sufficiency and Compliance Lead
- Debbie Nash - Family Hub Continuous Improvement Partner
- Finance Officer - Karen Winfer
- Early Years Sufficiency & Market Development Consultant - Karen Greenan
- Minute Taker: Felicity Pepper - Early Education and Childcare Entitlement Officer
Chairing of group
The Chair will be led by Staffordshire County Council and a Vice Chair will be appointed to ensure scrutiny and accountability for operational functions in relation to
Meetings
- Members of the group must confirm or send their apologies if they are unable/able to attend a meeting.
- If a member does not attend three consecutive meetings and has not informed the Early Years Team they will automatically be omitted from the group.
- Members are permitted to send a representative from the same setting on their behalf.
- Agenda items will be set prior to the meeting, either by email request and/or set at previous meeting.
- Agenda items will include topics set by early years sector, the council or led by Government agendas.
- Information and resources will be shared via email or during the meetings.
- The Chair will disclose whether information is confidential or has copyright.
Sharing of Information
- When relevant, confidential information that is discussed in the meeting is not permitted to be shared outside the meeting by any member of the group. Any confidential items will be clarified via the minutes from the meeting.
- Other information can be shared with other Early Years providers within Staffordshire. This information will be clarified via the minutes from the meeting and published on the council website when agreed.
- Information from the meetings will be included via the E - newsletters (Early Education and Childcare update) sent to all Early Years providers and/or available on the council website.
- Sector representatives will be actively encouraged to share relevant information when the opportunity presents itself, for example: at forums, network meetings and training.
Data Protection/ Confidentiality
Members of the group shall ensure that all matters discussed during the time duration of meetings remain confidential and information is only shared with other colleagues where necessary and appropriate.
Frequency of meetings
The group will meet termly to ensure timely decisions are made.
Conflict of Interest
All members of the group must be aware that a conflict of interest may arise from time to time in respect of their personal position or in respect of their organisation.
Such conflicts of interest may arise, for example, where a member has an existing or recent financial, business, personal or family involvement with an early years setting. Group members should disclose any such conflict of interest with the chair when/where relevant.
Review
The group will review the relevance of its work, terms of reference and membership of the group annually.