Early Years Reference Group - Terms of Reference

Terms of reference for the Early Years Reference Group including core representation, Chairing, and meetings.

Last updated: 15th June

Core representation of the group

The following Early Years representatives from the sector will form membership of the group (with a maximum of 16 providers at any one time):

Cannock

  • Rob Lawford - Childminder
  • Sarah McCormick - Little Owl Childcare (also Lichfield)

East Staffordshire

  • Sharon Keane - Childminder
  • Sharon Shilling - Our Pride Our Joy (also Tamworth)

Lichfield

  • Philip Siddell* & Tim Hopkins (Co-Chair) - Humpty Dumpty Day Nursery / *PVI rep on Schools Forum
  • Helen Townsend - Hey Diddle Diddle / Catkins Nursery
  • Sarah McCormick - Little Owl Childcare (also Cannock)

Moorlands

  • Natasha Richards - Cheadle Kindergarten

Newcastle

  • Natasha Richards - Wolstanton Kindergarten
  • Sally Lynch - Oaklands Nursery

South Staffordshire

  • N/A

Stafford

  • Joanne di Castiglione & Natalie Hart - Greenhall Nursery School & Little Learners
  • Julie Wetton & Michelle Lindley - Sandytots
  • Megan McComiskie - Colwich Playgroup
  • Sadie Shenton-Jones - Dollymixtures / PVI rep on Schools Forum
  • Kate Thorley - Burleyfields Academy
  • Rebecca Bell - Beaconfields Academy

Tamworth

  • Sharon Shilling - Our Pride Our Joy (also East Staffs)

Staffordshire County Council membership

  • Co-Chair: Helen Gibson - Early Years Lead
  • Vice chair: Sarah McDowell - Early Years Improvement & Inclusion Lead (North)
  • Jade Halliwell - Early Years Improvement and Inclusion Lead (South)
  • Kevin Taylor - Early Years Funding, Sufficiency and Compliance Lead
  • Debbie Nash - Family Hub Continuous Improvement Partner
  • Karen Winfer - Finance Officer
  • Karen Greenan - Early Years Sufficiency & Market Development Senior Consultant 
  • Minute Taker: Felicity Pepper - Early Years Entitlements Officer

Chairing of group

The Chair will be co-chaired by Staffordshire County Council and a representative from the sector. They will agree and set the agenda prior to each meeting. A Vice Chair will be appointed to ensure scrutiny and accountability for operational functions in relation to Early Years Reference group and will be responsible for keeping the agenda on task within the appropriate timeframe allocated.

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 EEAC 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, SCC 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 shared/discussed 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 gather feedback from the sector and 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 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.

Members should consult with the Chair if in any doubt whether the member has an interest which may give rise to a conflict and should be disclosed.

Review

The group will review the relevance of its work, terms of reference and membership of the group annually.

Date for next review:  April 2027