Early years weekly bulletin
A weekly roundup of information that may be of interest to you and help you in your role in your early years setting.
Weekly Bulletins
Early Years Quality Improvement Team's Weekly Bulletin
1 October 2026
Keep in touch
Email: earlyyearscentre@lancashire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01772 539058
Web site: Early years support and training - Lancashire County Council
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LancsEarlyYears/ and http://www.facebook.com/groups/lancsearlyyears/
Complete this form to advertise your job vacancies for free: Recruiting and managing staff - Lancashire County Council
Your sector representatives
Please contact your PVI representatives on the Early Years Consultative Group, Rafael Schiel rafael@giantleapchildcare.co.uk or Sharon Fenton sharon@risingstarslancaster.co.uk if you have any comments or questions that you would like them to take forward to the County Council on your behalf.
Are you a new manager at your nursery setting?
Congratulations on your new role! Please let us know by completing this quick form: New PVI Nursery Manager
This will ensure that the member of the team supporting your setting knows who you are and can support you.
Something to do this week...
Reflect on screen use
The updated Early Years Statutory Framework now includes a specific requirement to Practitioners must have regard to the following guidance on children’s screen use in early years settings: Help for early years providers: Screen use.
Take some time to read this comprehensive guidance and consider how you can ensure children's screen use in your setting is "…carefully planned and clearly linked to intended learning aims."
Share with parents and carers the Best Start in Life Guidance: Baby and toddler screen time guidance - Best Start in Life
Reflect on your practice:
Is the screen use necessary? Are there other methods or resources you could use instead?
What is the clear educational rationale for using a screen?
How does it extend and enhance learning, rather than replace the educator’s role?
How can you ensure children are interacting in screen use and not passively using or watching it? How will you discuss the content with children?
Is the content designed for educational purposes and appropriate for early years children?
How can you introduce movement and physical activity?
Are there any potential safeguarding risks around the device or content you’re thinking of using?
Website focus - Lead Practitioners
Why not visit our website to find out about more about Lancashire Lead Practitioner scheme and how they can support your setting. Giving you the opportunity to have discussions and receive support from lead practitioners, who are working in a similar context. www.lancashire.gov.uk/early-years/early-yearssupport-and-training/leading-practice-in-lancashire/
Bids for SEND capital projects
Private, Voluntary and Independent Nurseries can submit expressions of interest for this capital funding.
We are pleased to invite expressions of interest for both the Local Authority SEND Capital Inclusion Fund, expansions to special schools and the development of SEND Inclusion Bases. These opportunities form part of Lancashire's ongoing commitment to increasing inclusion and supporting the sufficiency of specialist provision across the county.
The application window will open on 14 September 2026 and close on 30 October 2026. Applications will then be subject to a detailed review and scoring process by a multi-disciplinary panel comprising representatives from relevant services and directorates. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome before the end of the autumn term and prior to the Christmas break.
Whilst we will seek to support as many high-quality applications as possible within the resources available, all submissions will be assessed against a clearly defined set of criteria. Only those applications that satisfactorily meet the required criteria and demonstrate a strong strategic fit will be recommended for approval.
Applications that are not successful will receive feedback within the outcome notification summary to help applicants understand the reasons for the decision. Given the robust assessment process and the involvement of a cross-directorate moderation panel, the feedback provided should offer sufficient explanation of the outcome. As a result, further challenges, appeals or requests for reconsideration following the issue of the outcome notification will not ordinarily be considered.
The aim of this process is to ensure that all applications are assessed fairly, transparently and consistently against the agreed criteria, enabling investment to be directed towards those proposals that will deliver the greatest benefit in meeting Lancashire's SEND sufficiency priorities.
Expression of Interest (EOI) - Expansion of Existing Special Schools – Fill in form
Expression of Interest (EOI) - Specialist Base in a Mainstream School or Setting – Fill in form
Lancashire SEND Local Offer
Lancashire SEND Local Offer: helping families get the right support from the start
The Lancashire SEND Local Offer brings together information about education, health, social care and community services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25. It provides a single place to find information, advice and support available across Lancashire.
The Local Offer includes:
information about local SEND services and support
guidance on Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
a searchable SEND Directory of services, activities and support
information for families at every stage of their child's SEND journey
Supporting children and families sooner
The early years are a crucial time for identifying needs and putting support in place. By using the Local Offer, practitioners can confidently signpost families to relevant services, advice and resources, helping children access support earlier. Early intervention can reduce delays, prevent confusion, improve family experiences and contribute to better outcomes for children and young people.
Professional responsibility
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, professionals have a duty to help families access accurate and up-to-date SEND information. Familiarity with the Local Offer helps ensure families receive clear information about the support available to them and how to access it. We encourage all early years practitioners to explore the Local Offer and use it as a trusted source of information when supporting children and families.
Find out more
The Local offer includes the Local Offer website, the Lancashire Service Finder SEND Directory, the Local Offer Facebook page and FIND newsletter for families (sent to families who join the FIND database). If you have suggestions for improving the Local Offer, please email LancashireLocalOffer@lancashire.gov.uk
Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership September newsletter
In this months newsletter, you'll find:
Rapid Review & CSPR Training
DA & CYP Practitioner Forums
'Me Learning' User Guide
Updated Resources
Upcoming Campaigns including Safeguarding Adults Week
Voluntary Sector spotlight
CDOP Update
National Guidance and Updates
Useful Links
September 2026- Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership Newsletter
Domestic Abuse and CYP Domestic Abuse practitioner's forums
Please share with front line practitioners. This is not for manager level colleagues
Dear colleagues,
Join us for our Domestic Abuse and CYP Domestic Abuse Practitioners forums.
This forum provides a safe and supportive space for frontline practitioners who work with children and young people affected by domestic abuse. It offers an opportunity to discuss challenges, seek advice, and share good practice with colleagues from across Lancashire.
Each session will feature four breakout rooms, facilitated by professionals from a range of domestic abuse services. Facilitators will present an anonymised case study relevant to their area of expertise, followed by a discussion session where participants can raise questions, explore their own cases, share experiences, and reflect on the case study presented.
Please note that this is not a referral forum. Its purpose is to provide professional support, guidance, and peer discussion to help practitioners strengthen the support they offer to children, young people, and adults affected by domestic abuse.
CYP DA Practitioner Forum
Tuesday 29th September 2026 12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1b0d8b78-340a4b71-bbce-45c5edc0a7ce@9f683e26-d8b9-4609-9ec4e1a36e4bb4d2?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog
Tuesday 15th December 2026 12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b503b00e-b72e41c1-84d8-106ed38cec51@9f683e26-d8b9-4609-9ec4e1a36e4bb4d2?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog
Tuesday 9th March 2027 12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/48cba8a1-03254eee-b2a7-53a0043dad8d@9f683e26-d8b9-4609-9ec4e1a36e4bb4d2?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog
DA Practitioner Forum
Tuesday 6th October 2026 12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/86903543-58374098-b6e9-110978e4a2b0@9f683e26-d8b9-4609-9ec4e1a36e4bb4d2?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog
Tuesday 1st December 2026 12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/82f3625b-9e9b4d1c-b0e6-6b40855057e7@9f683e26-d8b9-4609-9ec4e1a36e4bb4d2?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog
Tuesday 9th February 2027 12.30pm: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e8268e47-05914eed-bddf-0d568165da74@9f683e26-d8b9-4609-9ec4e1a36e4bb4d2?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog
If you have any questions or cases you would like to discuss at the next forum, you can submit them to lsbu@lancashire.gov.uk. These will be forwarded on to the Chairs of each forum.
Early Years Sustainability Conference
Early Years Sustainability Conference: Small Hands, Protecting the Planet!
Join us for the Early Years Sustainability Conference 2026: Small Hands, Protecting the Planet!, an inspiring day focused on empowering young children to become changemakers for a sustainable future. Featuring keynote speaker Dr Diane Boyd, a nationally recognised expert in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability, alongside an exclusive Eco-Town Tour of Lancashire Renewables and practical workshops led by Lancashire education specialists, this conference will provide innovative ideas, expert guidance and real-world strategies to help embed sustainability across your Early Years provision. Whether you are an Early Years leader, teacher, practitioner or childminder, discover how meaningful sustainability education can nurture curiosity, responsibility and a lifelong commitment to caring for our planet.
Find out more and secure your place.
Support with critical incidents
Colleagues within the early years sector are able to access the same support as Lancashire schools following critical incidents.
Critical Incidents
Phone: out of hours emergency duty team; Lancashire County Council Emergency Duty Team for out-of-hours social care and safeguarding emergencies: 0300 123 6722
The death of a child, member of staff or other significant member of the settings community can have a profound impact on children, staff and families. Such events are often emotionally demanding for leaders, who may be required to lead and support others whilst managing their own response to the situation.
The support and guidance will be tailored to the exact situation that the setting is facing; and will draw on a vast range of resources and other teams as appropriate.
Support for staff in setting:
Supervision: the setting would be advised to review the current Supervision arrangements in place for all staff; and consider if this needs increasing in frequency
Recovery from trauma is individual and varies in pace and style. Psychological advice is that only if someone is not recovering at a typical rate using their own support systems would a therapy such as counselling be considered. Anyone who is not recovering within a typical time you may then want to look at a stress risk assessment in work and an Occupational Health referral.
leaders will know which staff may be more vulnerable due to previous trauma
Settings should look at the offer of training and support from Lancashire Emotional Health in Schools and Colleges (LEHS) available on the website wp.lancs.ac.uk/lehsc/
You may also find the wellbeing toolkit for leaders helpful to refer to Wellbeing Toolkit - Lancashire County Council
Growing Together, Lancashire and Beyond, Stronger Practice Hub
I am pleased to share an exciting opportunity to join our Early Years Stronger Practice Hub (EYSPH) as an Early Years Learning Lead (EYLL).
PSED Lead (2 days per week or 76 days per year): Lead initiatives which support practitioners to foster children’s emotional wellbeing, social skills and resilience within Early Years settings.
Maths Lead (3 days per week or 114 days per year): Champion mathematical learning and development, supporting practitioners to embed numeracy and spatial reasoning in everyday practice.
Communication and Language Lead (4 days per week or 152 days per year): Promote language-rich environments, develop practitioner knowledge and support communication development for all children.
We are currently recruiting experienced early years professionals to support our work across Lancashire, Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Cumberland, and Westmorland and Furness.
EYLLs will play an important role in supporting Growing Together, Lancashire and beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub to:
share evidence-informed early years practice;
support settings to develop and strengthen their practice within PSED, Early Maths and Early Communication and Language; • Provide bespoke support to settings;
Deliver subject specific stronger practice CPD.
We would be grateful if you could share the attached EYLL opportunity with your networks and within your local authorities in as many forms as possible., particularly with early years settings and schools and early years professionals who may have the experience, expertise and passion to contribute to this work.
We are keen to hear from practitioners and leaders who are committed to improving early years practice and supporting colleagues across the sector and we would love a range of experts from all of our localities.
Further information about the role, eligibility requirements and how to apply can be found within each Expression of Interest form and within the application advert.
Thank you very much for helping us to promote this opportunity and for supporting the development of strong early years practice across our region.
Kindest regards
Susan Conron Growing, Together, Lancashire and Beyond, Stronger Practice Hub Lead
Foundation Years – new SEND training for all early years practitioners
In January, the Department for Education announced a £200 million investment in SEND and inclusion training to upskill educators across early years, schools and post-16 settings.
Last week, the first phase of a new national training offer for early years was launched with a new online training package now freely available to all early years practitioners.
Funded by the Department for Education and developed and delivered by Dingley’s Promise, this training is designed for all early years educators working with children aged 0-4 years to strengthen inclusive practice and better identify and support children with SEND.
The training offers learning across three purposely designed courses, providing practical information, strategies and reflective tools to improve inclusive practice across all early years settings.
These courses centre on three key themes of:
Foundations of Inclusive Practice;
Embedding Inclusive Practice; and
Parent Partnership.
The training has been purposely designed to be accessed in a flexible way, to allow learners to work through and return to the training at times that are suitable for them. Courses are suitable for educators of all levels and in all types of provision including childminders and contain practical strategies, tools and resources that can be applied directly to everyday practice.
All courses are freely accessible at Early Years CPD Training - Dingley's Promise.
The second phase of the new Early Years CPD programme will launch in autumn 2027, offering further online learning as well as in-depth webinars and a new local support offer, to further develop the knowledge and skills needed to put inclusive practice into action.
Prevent Duty new guidance for DSLs
Removed previously published documents, replacing these with
'The Prevent Duty: practical guidance for designated safeguarding leads',
'Channel meetings: practical guidance for designated safeguarding leads'
'Safeguarding learners susceptible to radicalisation: next-step checklists'.
The Prevent duty: safeguarding learners susceptible to radicalisation - GOV.UK
Develop a climate action plan with free DfE support
The heatwaves of the summer were another reminder of climate change. We’re encouraging every nursery in England to have a climate action plan.
A holistic plan can help nurseries prepare for extreme weather and reduce costs, while supporting children’s wellbeing and the environment.
Free support is available through DfE commissioned programmes – the National Education Nature Park, Sustainability Support for Education, and Climate Ambassadors – all working with Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Advisors.
Find out more here.
Help shape EEF's future research priorities
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is seeking views from people working in, with, and alongside education settings to help inform their research priorities. The consultation is open to colleagues across early years, schools and 16-19 education.
The EEF wants to hear about the challenges, pressures and unanswered questions facing the early years sector, and what evidence, resources or support could help address them.
This consultation is an opportunity to share insights and experiences that can help strengthen the EEF's understanding of early years priorities. Responses will be considered alongside evidence reviews, policy analysis and other sources of learning as the EEF develops its future research programme.
To have your say, complete the survey here: EEF Research Agenda: Sector Consultation by the 9th October 2026.
DfE and Ofsted updates
Big Listen action monitoring reports - Added April and June monitoring reports; these report on our commitments made in the Big Listen consultation and response to Dame Christine Gilbert’s independent learning review.
Paying your annual fee: what you need to know - Blog post from Jayne Coward, Deputy Director for Early Years Regulatory Policy and Practice, on paying registration and annual fees.
Early years inspection: toolkit, operating guide and information - All updated; see the 'Summary of changes' for full details.
Early years and childcare: Ofsted's enforcement policy - Updated to clarify the actions taken when requirements are not being met – when we serve a welfare requirements notice (WRN) and take enforcement action, and when we set actions.
Report a serious childcare incident - Updated to reflect changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework on 1 September 2026. Providers must now inform Ofsted of allegations of harm (rather than serious harm) by anyone living, working or looking after children on the premises.
Updates to requirements - This month, the Department for Education updated the requirements for those registered on the General Childcare Register. They now prevent banned dog breeds (to which section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies, including the XL Bully type) being kept or present in childcare settings. We have amended several pages of guidance in line with this:
Applying to waive disqualification: early years and childcare providers - Updated to clarify that where the applicant is a company, the disqualification applies to the company and not the individual directors.
Childminders: report new people in the setting - Clarified that childminder assistants must not begin working at a setting until they have been confirmed to be suitable by either Ofsted or their agency.
Update on Bright Horizons regulatory action - Since September last year, Ofsted has been carrying out an extensive programme of regulatory activity across nurseries in the Bright Horizons group; this is the latest update on that work.
Early years and childcare: Ofsted’s enforcement policy - Updated to clarify the actions taken when requirements are not being met – when we serve a welfare requirements notice (WRN) and take enforcement action, and when we set actions.
Early Years Quality Improvement Team's Weekly Bulletin
24 September 2026
Keep in touch
Email: earlyyearscentre@lancashire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01772 539058
Web site: Early years support and training - Lancashire County Council
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LancsEarlyYears/ and http://www.facebook.com/groups/lancsearlyyears/
Complete this form to advertise your job vacancies for free: Recruiting and managing staff - Lancashire County Council
Your sector representatives
Please contact your PVI representatives on the Early Years Consultative Group, Rafael Schiel rafael@giantleapchildcare.co.uk or Sharon Fenton sharon@risingstarslancaster.co.uk if you have any comments or questions that you would like them to take forward to the County Council on your behalf.
Are you a new manager at your nursery setting?
Congratulations on your new role! Please let us know by completing this quick form: New PVI Nursery Manager
This will ensure that the member of the team supporting your setting knows who you are and can support you.
Something to do this week...
Existing injuries: note, record and respond
Children sometimes arrive at your setting with bumps, bruises, cuts or other injuries. Many of these injuries are the result of everyday childhood activities but accurately recording and professional curiosity is very important in safeguarding children.
A clear record of any existing injury helps practitioners:
Check on children's wellbeing
Identify any patterns or concerns
Support good communication with parents and carers
May contribute to safeguarding assessments where needed
Protect practitioners from false accusations that the injury occurred at the setting
When and how should records be made:
Ask parents to offer information about existing injuries
Record what you see as soon as you notice it (if you only notice an injury after a child has been dropped off, then it should be recorded at that time)
Include the date, time and location of the injury
Record any explanation given by the parent or carer
Ask the parent or carer to sign the record
Store records securely and confidentially
Professional curiosity:
Professional curiosity relates to asking questions to understand further. Having a holistic approach to the child and family means sometimes looking beyond the obvious and considering whether more information is needed to fully understand the situation.
Does the injury match the explanation?
Have there been previous injuries or concerns?
Does anything else about the presentation of the child worry you?
Reflect on you rpractice:
Are you recording existing injuries consistently, promptly and factually?
Do parents understand the purpose of this procedure?
How do you promote professional curiosity?
Do you and any staff know who to go to if you do have concerns about a child?
Useful resources:
What to do if you're worried a child is being abused - advice for practitioners
Useful video to share with your staff on professional curiosity: NYSCP Think family
Having difficult conversations: Handling difficult conversations with adults | NSPCC
October monthly training reminder
An Introduction to Safeguarding: a pre-recorded virtual session that can be booked for the 1st or 15th of the month. The pre-recorded webinar and resources which will be available for two weeks from the date chosen.
Designated Safeguarding Lead training: (All) October session is full - click the link for more dates.
14 Interactions: (PVI Nurseries and Childminders) Face to face training Tuesday 13th from 9.30 to 12 Early Years Professional Development Centre, Accrington
Evaluating your Practice using the early Years Inspection Toolkit: (Childminders and OOSC) Face to face training Wednesday 14th from 6.30 to 8.30pm County Hall, Preston
Paediatric First Aid: (All) Face to face training Wednesday 14th from 9.30 to 4pm Morecambe Football Club (NOT Accrington as the email stated incorrectly)
Dates for your diary
Managers Time to talk: Click the link for dates/venues and booking form
Childminder cluster meeting: : Click the link for date/time and booking form
Early years qualification list update
The Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) is now available as an online webview format on GOV.UK via the following link: Early years qualifications list - Showing all the qualifications - Check an Early Years qualification
The EYQL webview replaces the previous spreadsheet-based version and provides a more accessible way for users to search, view and understand qualification information online.
Funded places available on the National Professional Qualification (NPQ in Early Years Leadership
Registration is now open for the November 2026 cohort of the national professional qualification in early years leadership (NPQEYL). The programme is designed for current and aspiring early years leaders who want to develop their leadership expertise and potential.
The NPQEYL is available to managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries, childminders with leadership responsibilities, headteachers and leaders of school-based and maintained nurseries, alongside other early years foundation stage leaders.
Whether leading provision in a nursery, pre-school, childminding setting or school-based early years provision, participants benefit from evidence-based leadership training that supports them to:
deepen expertise in delivering high-quality early education and care
lead and develop staff effectively
work in partnership with parents and carers
implement improvements across their setting
For the first time in recent cohorts, funding for the NPQEYL is available for all eligible participants who secure a funded place with an NPQ provider.
Read more about NPQs here: Early years leadership national professional qualification - GOV.UK
New Easy Peasy App
To support the delivery of Best Start in Life Lancashire County Council have commissioned the Easy Peasy App for Lancashire families.
This is a free App for all parents and carers of children aged 0-5 years and practitioner. The App provides activities that support the learning and development of babies and children and offer support and signposting. The launch of the App is part of Lancashire's Best Start in Life Plan and promotes good quality home learning environments. Practitioners can use it to guide and support parents and carers and also to get information and ideas themselves.
Our aspiration is that we get all our parents and carers to download the App and use it on a regular basis, the evidence base for the App shows a successful impact on the number of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of reception, our target set by the Department for Education.
A short webinar to brief practitioners from across Lancashire has been arranged and will offer the chance to find out more about Easy Peasy; see a demonstration of the App and hear about the benefits for babies, children and their parents and carers.
The link to book on to the webinar held on Teams is below;
Easy Peasy Webinar – Children's Workforce
Virtual - Wednesday 14 October 2026 (09:30 to 11:30)
https://clickdelegate.lancashire.gov.uk/conferenceDetails.asp?cid=70305
Childminder training - Evaluating your practice using the Early Years inspection toolkit
We have some exciting training coming up in a few weeks which is designed for our childminder and out of school club colleagues.
Wednesday 14 October 2026 Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: The Exchange, County Hall, Preston, PR1 0LD (Pitt Street entrance)
Evaluating your practice - using the early years inspection toolkit - has been developed to support you in strengthening your reflective practice and prepare for inspections under the new toolkit.
In this interactive, face-to-face session, practitioners will engage in two hours of reflective practice led by Kelly and Steph.
Using the newly developed resource, 'Evaluating Your Practice Using the Early Years Inspection Toolkit', participants will explore key evaluation areas aligned with the early year's inspection toolkit.
Click the following link for more information and to book your place: Evaluating Your practice
Inclusion Sway
Read the latest SEND and Inclusion Bulletin here: SEND & Inclusion Bulletin (schools and settings) 22 Sep 2026
Early Years Quality Improvement Team's Weekly Bulletin
17 September 2026
Keep in touch
Email: earlyyearscentre@lancashire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01772 539058
Web site: Early years support and training - Lancashire County Council
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LancsEarlyYears/ and http://www.facebook.com/groups/lancsearlyyears/
Complete this form to advertise your job vacancies for free: Recruiting and managing staff - Lancashire County Council
Your sector representatives
Please contact your PVI representatives on the Early Years Consultative Group, Rafael Schiel rafael@giantleapchildcare.co.uk or Sharon Fenton sharon@risingstarslancaster.co.uk if you have any comments or questions that you would like them to take forward to the County Council on your behalf.
Are you a new manager at your nursery setting?
Congratulations on your new role! Please let us know by completing this quick form: New PVI Nursery Manager
This will ensure that the member of the team supporting your setting knows who you are and can support you.
Something to do this week...
Take some time to explore the data on the community your setting operates in and where your children live
The 'Explore an Area' tool has been created for Ofsted inspectors and setting leaders to use to really understand the context of the local area. Take some time to access the tool and consider what the data means when supporting your children and families.
It includes depravation data, take up of EYPP, obesity levels and oral health information. You can search for Lancashire County Council area and then drill down more locally when you search by your postcode. The data is compared to the national picture to demonstrate the local priorities.
Ofsted Inspectors will use this data to inform discussions with leaders during the planning call.
You also have 'Lancashire Insight' which provides further information and can drill down to ward areas if needed. It also includes additional information on a broad range of topics including traffic accidents, domestic abuse and anti social behaviour.
Reflect on your practice:
How will you use this knowledge to support your children and families?
Education Improvement, SEND, CFW, social care and MASH contacts
An updated list of managers from the above services was attached to your email bulletin.
Member's autumn Spotlight Magazine
Keep an eye out for your copy of the magazine in your email!
It is stuffed full of interesting and inspiring articles for members. Interested in finding out more about extra support for members?
Please visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/early years/early-years-support-and training/membership-and-other support-services/ to find out more.
Every Baby Matters Webinar series
Every Baby Matters Webinar Series has been designed to build on key themes and provides an opportunity to explore topics in greater depth, learn from expert speakers and consider how as childcare practitioners we can continue improving outcomes for babies, children and families. Sessions are free and for an hour duration over lunchtime. They are suitable for professionals supporting young people and families across health, social care, education, early years, policing, community and voluntary sector organisations, and partner agencies.
For further information and to register, please visit: Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership Training
Important updates from Lancashire Virtual School
Important Updates from Lancashire Virtual School for Children Looked After, Children with a Social Worker and Children Previously Looked After
Welcome back to the autumn term. I hope you all managed to get a well deserved break over the summer and huge thank you for the support you offer to our learners.
Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
From September 2026, the Lancashire PEP will now be hosted on the Welfare Call Platform. The Professional Portal will no longer be used for PEPs. Welfare Call hosting the PEP will create a live document that all relevant staff can access, provide users quicker direct ICT support and will be much more user friendly.
Whilst changing PEP systems, we have also taken the opportunity to redesign the PEP with the support of education and Children Social Care partners, to ensure that all the sections and questions are there to support each CLA to make progress and for this to be monitored.
Please ensure you book on both training courses below to support you with accessing and completing the new PEP:
Welfare Call Lancashire PEP training (choice of 4 dates available in September)
Writing effective PEPs, turning insight into impact
Book here - Training and events by the Virtual School - Lancashire County Council
Lancashire 2026/27 PEP dates
PEP submission deadline: within 5 working days following the PEP meeting (all terms)
Autumn term: 1 Sept to 16 Nov
Spring term: 1 Jan to 12 Feb
Summer term: 1 Apr to 16 June
Educational Psychology Service Group Consultation for Schools/Settings Working with Lancashire Virtual School Learners
Dates for consultations throughout this academic year have been arranged. Please see Educational psychologist group consultation regarding virtual school learners early years KS1 - Lancashire County Council for more detail and how to book.
Early Years Designated Teacher/Practitioner Audit Tool
As part of our work to support settings, we are pleased to share an audit and self-evaluation tool to use in your setting (see attached document). The tool has been developed to support leaders and designated professionals in reviewing the effectiveness of their provision for Virtual School learners, identifying strengths and priorities for development, and evidencing the impact of their work on outcomes for children and young people. The tool has been designed to support self-evaluation and professional reflection and are aligned with relevant statutory guidance and current inspection frameworks.
The audit tools draw upon:
The September 2026 Ofsted Early Years Inspection Toolkit and EYFS inspection guidance;
The Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework;
There is no compulsory obligation to complete the audit in full. It is intended as a practical resource that settings may choose to use in whole or in part, depending on their context, priorities, and existing quality assurance arrangements. The tool may assist settings in monitoring and reporting on the quality of provision and outcomes for Virtual School learners. It provides a framework for reviewing areas such as safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, children's welfare and wellbeing, leadership and governance.
We hope you find these resources useful and that they support your ongoing work to improve outcomes for Lancashire's most vulnerable learners. Thank you once again for your continued commitment, care and dedication to the children and young people you support every day.
Please visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/virtualschool for information, access to free training and resources.
Many thanks
Sharie Mayren
Education Consultant (Early Years)
Virtual School For Children Looked After
Fake or real? Know the deal - Campaign to tackle deepfakes
Lancashire Police has launched a new campaign this week to help young people and families recognise and respond to the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) generated deepfakes, including harmful manipulated content that can have devastating consequences for victims. Deepfakes are images, videos or audio clips created using AI that can make it appear as though someone has said or done something they never actually did.
The Fake or Real? Know the Deal campaign aims to give young people, parents, carers and educators the confidence and knowledge needed to embrace technology safely while understanding the risks associated with deepfake content.
We would appreciate if you were able to share this campaign across your channels. We have created an online toolkit which includes;
Social media posts copy and video content
Intranet article / newsletter article
Printed challenge posters – request for hard copies
Thank you for your continued support.
Information sharing to safeguard children and young people
This new statutory guidance is now in force for all those who work with children and is intended to:
promote consistent implementation
support a cultural shift in how information sharing is understood and practised across sectors
The Information Sharing Duty guidance is for practitioners and organisations providing safeguarding and welfare services for children and young people including all settings.
It should be read alongside the statutory guidance Working together to safeguard children.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-sharing-to-safeguard children-and-young-people
DfE and Ofsted Updates
Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) – New online format
The Department for Education has launched an online version of the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) on GOV.UK. The EYQL helps users determine whether a qualification is recognised as ‘full and relevant’ for the purposes of working within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff:child ratios in England.
Access here: https://check-an-early-years-qualification.service.gov.uk/early-years
The new format allows users to:
search qualification information online
view qualification details, additional requirements and notes more easily
access information without downloading a spreadsheet find full and relevant qualifications to study
Early years managers and practitioners can also use the Check an Early Years Qualification (CEYQ) service to support qualification checks.
Qualifications achieved outside the UK are not included on the EYQL. Holders of non-UK qualifications should continue to contact Ecctis for qualification recognition.
Early Years Quality Improvement Team's Weekly Bulletin
10 September 2026
Keep in touch
Email: earlyyearscentre@lancashire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01772 539058
Web site: Early years support and training - Lancashire County Council
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LancsEarlyYears/ and http://www.facebook.com/groups/lancsearlyyears/
Complete this form to advertise your job vacancies for free: Recruiting and managing staff - Lancashire County Council
Your sector representatives
Please contact your PVI representatives on the Early Years Consultative Group, Rafael Schiel rafael@giantleapchildcare.co.uk or Sharon Fenton sharon@risingstarslancaster.co.uk if you have any comments or questions that you would like them to take forward to the County Council on your behalf.
Are you a new manager at your nursery setting?
Congratulations on your new role! Please let us know by completing this quick form: New PVI Nursery Manager
This will ensure that the member of the team supporting your setting knows who you are and can support you.
Something to do this week...
Build healthy foundations through food
The early years are an important time to develop healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
From those first tastes during weaning to toddlers trying new foods, early years practitioners play a really important role to help children develop a positive relationship with food.
Practitioners should work with parents, asking for information about their child's dietary needs, allergies, preferences and stage of development which helps with a consistent approach between home and the setting.
Exploring new foods:
Children need to see, smell, touch and taste a food several times before they accept it. To encourage young children to try new foods try:
At each meal, offer a variety of foods on the plate
Pair unfamiliar foods alongside familiar favourites
Encourage children to explore the new food without pressure to eat it
Celebrate when small steps are achieved, a sniff, a lick or a tiny taste is progress
Create a happy, sociable mealtime:
Adults should sit with children and model good eating habits
Enjoyable conversations whilst sitting together encourages children to eat better
Children should be encouraged to be independent when eating
Adults should not pressure children to finish their food, in order to have the next course
Reflect on your practice:
Think about your snack and mealtimes - what could you improve?
Small changes can make a big difference in helping children develop healthy eating habits and lifelong enjoyment of food.
To support your practice, revisit Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance
Why not try sensory food education: Help for early years providers : Sensory food education
For information on healthy food choices: The Eatwell Guide - NHS
Useful resources
Your baby’s first solid foods - NHS
Help your baby enjoy new foods - NHS
Drinks and cups for babies and young children - NHS
How to make up baby formula - NHS
Communication and language
We now have a dedicated section of website focusing on WELLCOMM, with a range of tools, advice, guidance and materials to support you in implementing it's use within your setting. You can find this here: WellComm
Early Years SENCO training - fully funded training now available
As part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy, breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving early identification and support for children with SEND, the Department for Education is funding an additional 9,500 Early Years SENCO training places until March 2028.
You may be eligible for priority access if your setting is in a lower Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) area. These priority settings are typically allocated funded places faster.
While fully funded places are available to eligible applicants across all IDACI bands, we strongly encourage those in priority settings to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity.
Recruitment is open now. For further information, including eligibility and to complete your application, please see Early Years SENCO - Level 3 | Best Practice Network
Local government reorganisation
The Government has today announced a review of its local government reorganisation programme to ensure the process is robust, legally sound and aligned with its priorities.
As part of this review, the reorganisation proposals affecting Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool will be paused while further work is carried out. The Government has also confirmed that local elections in May2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries.
For now, there is no change to the council, or the support and services provided to you, children, young people and families. Childcare settings should continue to operate as normal, with the same support and relationships in place.
While the review is taking place, councils across Lancashire will continue to work closely together. We remain committed to working collaboratively and ensuring everyone receives clear and consistent information.
Thank you for your continued professionalism and for everything you do to support children and young people across Lancashire.
Virtual School Autumn Newsletter
We hope you had a lovely summer break. Please see the link below for the Virtual School autumn newsletter which contains important updates including the new PEP, the Key Stage 4 Conference, Empower Academy and much more. https://sway.cloud.microsoft/PtlAgzRlPFDuRdYX?ref=Link
Designated Audit Tool for CLA
would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you already do to support Children Looked After (CLA), Previously Looked After Children (PLAC), Children with a Social Worker (CWSW), children in kinship care and other vulnerable learners within your settings. Your commitment to ensuring these children and young people achieve, belong and thrive is greatly appreciated by the Lancashire Virtual School team.
As part of our ongoing work to support schools, settings and colleges, we are pleased to share a suite of audit and self-evaluation tools for schools, early years settings and post-16 providers. These resources have been developed to support leaders and designated professionals in reviewing the effectiveness of their provision for Virtual School learners, identifying strengths and priorities for development, and evidencing the impact of their work on outcomes for children and young people. The tools have been designed to support self-evaluation and professional reflection and are aligned with relevant statutory guidance and current inspection frameworks. The audit tools draw upon:
The September 2026 Ofsted Early Years Inspection Toolkit and EYFS inspection guidance;
Relevant post-16 accountability expectations and guidance relating to progression, inclusion and learner outcomes
We would like to emphasise that these tools are not compulsory and there is no expectation that schools, settings or colleges complete them in full. They are intended as practical resources which schools may choose to use in whole or in part, depending on their context, priorities and existing quality assurance arrangements. Some schools may find the full audit useful as a comprehensive self-evaluation tool, whilst others may wish to utilise specific sections to support particular areas of development. Designated teachers will find these audit tools useful in prioritising their tasks as well as helping others to understand the importance of their role.
The tools may assist schools in monitoring and reporting on the quality of provision and outcomes for Virtual School learners. They provide a framework for reviewing areas such as leadership, inclusion, attendance, achievement, personal development, safeguarding, PEP quality, learner voice and transition arrangements. They can also support reporting to governors, trustees and senior leaders by providing a structured way to evaluate strengths, identify priorities and evidence impact.
You may also find the inclusion, learner case-sampling and Assess-Plan-Do-Review (APDR) sections particularly helpful in demonstrating how needs are identified, support is implemented and reviewed, and how provision is contributing to improved outcomes and experiences for learners.
Our Virtual School Education Consultants will be using these audit tools as part of their work with schools and settings. The intention is not to evaluate or judge provision, but rather to support professional dialogue, celebrate effective practice, identify opportunities for development and work collaboratively with schools to strengthen provision for Virtual School learners. The audit framework will provide a shared language for discussions during visits, consultations and support meetings, helping consultants tailor advice and challenge to each school's individual context.
We hope you find the attached resource useful and that it support your ongoing work to improve outcomes for Lancashire's most vulnerable learners.
Thank you once again for your continued commitment, care and dedication to the children and young people you support every day. Kind regards,
Vanessa Nice
Early Years Funding Consultation - Last chance to have your say!
We strongly encourage and value responses to inform policymaking. The consultation closes on 14 September.
Changes to the funding system for early years entitlements - GOV.UK
The consultation outlines the government's vision for a reformed early years funding system, alongside proposals to support the transition to the new arrangements in 2027– 28.
The proposals aim to maximise the impact of entitlements funding to:
improve access to early years education and childcare for families on low incomes;
strengthen support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the early years;
increase efficiency and simplify the way funding is allocated, helping funding to work more effectively for children, families and providers
See the accompanying summary of proposals document, which provides an overview of the consultation proposals and the existing funding system: Early years funding consultation: summary of proposals.
Inclusion Sway
Welcome to the first edition of the Inclusion Newsletter of the academic year: Inclusion Newsletter (schools and settings) 9 Sep 2026
Recruitment opportunity: Growing Together, Lancashire and beyond Early Years stronger Practice Hub
We are pleased to share a recruitment opportunity from our colleagues at Growing Together, Lancashire and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub.
Please note that the vacancies outlined below are for Growing Together, Lancashire and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. Any further questions regarding the posts, please contact their hub directly on the email: growingtogetherEYSPH@dukestreet-nur.lancs.sch.uk
They are currently recruiting for the following flexible Associate roles:
Early Years Stronger Practice Adviser – Group-Based Provision 4 positions available
Early Years Stronger Practice Adviser – Childminder Provision 1 position available
Location: Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Travel across the region will be required.
These roles offer an exciting opportunity for experienced early years professionals to support settings through coaching, mentoring and professional dialogue, deliver evidence-informed training and learning walks, share effective practice and develop strong professional networks.
Applicants should have significant experience in early years provision, an excellent understanding of the EYFS, a passion for high-quality, evidence-informed practice, and experience of supporting, coaching or leading others.
Closing date: Friday 18 September 2026 at 9.00am
How to submit your Expression of Interest
The relevant Expression of Interest forms were attached to the original bulletin email.
Please complete the appropriate form for the role you are interested in and return your completed Expression of Interest directly to Growing Together, Lancashire and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub at: growingtogetherEYSPH@dukestreet-nur.lancs.sch.uk
Please refer to the information attached to the original bulletin email for further details.
We are sharing this opportunity to support our colleagues at Growing Together, Lancashire and Beyond in reaching as many early years professionals and providers as possible.
Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who may be interested.
Lancashire SEND roadshow
SEND Roadshows are a great way to find out more about the support and services available across Lancashire.
Come along and:
find out about local services and organisations
ask questions and get advice
meet other families and professionals
find the support that's right for you
Click here for more information: Lancashire SEND roadshow