Support for early years settings
How can early years settings be supported?
Staffordshire County Council provide a range of guidance and support from our dedicated Early Years Quality and Sufficiency Support Consultants (EYQSST) and SENIS Team (EY SENCo). These services were formerly based at Entrust but have moved back to Staffordshire County Council.
Early Years Quality Support and Sufficiency Team (EYQSST)
For advice or support on setting up a childcare business, training, manager or childminder networks, toolkits, business advice or support please contact EYQSST by email - Email Early Years Quality and Sufficiency Support Team
The team also provide support for settings who have had actions outlined by Ofsted in a recent inspection or visit form the regulator. This is commissioned by Staffordshire County Council.
Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Service (SENIS)
The SENIS Team can help support settings, your staff and pupils to overcome barriers to learning. From those who need to ‘catch up’, to those who have complex profiles. We look to improve outcomes by providing expert support, advice and guidance.
To request advice, make a referral and access other useful supporting information please visit the EY SENIS page.
Below you will find information on some of the support available and useful documentation.
Interested in becoming an Ofsted registered childminder in Staffordshire? If so, we can provide guidance and information about the costs, expectations and training that is involved, and questions to ask yourself before embarking on the journey to become a childminder.
Our dedicated webpage can provide guidance on becoming a childminder and training requirements.
Our consultants can advise about legal obligations, expectations and training that is involved before embarking on the journey to setting a non-domestic premises. The guide is suitable for people working in the private, voluntary and independent sector.
Our team can also advise you on the business aspects of early years provision. Specifically looking at areas where childcare is needed.
Local data and local sufficiency information is available for prospective providers to review.
We can support you and your staff to remain up-to-date with the latest information on continuing professional development and qualifications that could help your childcare business to achieve the highest quality and outcomes.
More information will be available on courses soon.
This toolkit was co-produced with early years setting. It is designed to encourage reflection on current recruitment and retention procedures and to ensure that your provision and practice are compliant with current legislation. The toolkit will help to promote and encourage the early years workforce and support leaders with recruitment and retention within the early years sector.
Printable toolkit (276 KB)
Networking with like-minded professionals can be very supportive as you are able to discuss topics and share information. The sessions are held on a termly basis and are normally located in an early years setting in each district or via Teams.
The sessions are facilitated by a lead practitioner from an early years setting and an Early Years Quality Support Consultant is available to provide a sector update.
Additional information for Early Years Settings
Early years providers can offer funded childcare places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds and apply to Staffordshire County Council, providers can download the relevant forms to complete.
Download our handy toolkit (3.6MB) for a quick guide that explains the funded hour entitlements and what is available to help families with childcare costs. A resources pack is included to help early years settings advertise their funded offer.
We also have a new leaflet that explains funded hours for parents.
Information on payment and headcount dates, conditions and funding FAQs, parent declaration form and other documents can be found on our dedicated EEF page.
Your business can get free online advertising through the Staffordshire Connects website.
This is a very popular site used by parents looking for childcare. Through this site you can register to gain access to an account for your childcare record already provided to us by Ofsted.
This will enable you to make changes to your record such as:
- vacancies
- costs
- opening hours
- school drop off / pick up
- facilities
- inclusion
It is an easy process to register.
Once registered providers can log into their account and will be able to update their setting records.
* updating your address, public listed telephone number or email addresses you will need to contact Ofsted on 0300 123 1231.
Contact us: EEAC