What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
The Early Years covers children from birth to 5 years old. You may choose to use a nursery, child minder and/or preschool to help your child develop and grow. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes. A comprehensive and helpful guide can be found here. What-to-expect-in-the-EYFS-complete-FINAL16.09-compressed.pdf foundationyears.org.uk
I've heard my child can get funding to attend an Early Years setting (nursery/ preschool). Is that the case?
Yes, you can apply online via the government website. 15 hours of funding is available for your 2 year old (from the term after they turn 2). Help paying for childcare: Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) All 3-year-olds receive 15 hours funding (from the term after they turn 3 years old) but an additional 15 hours is available depending on whether you meet the working and income criteria. Funding can be spread over the year (not just term time) so long as your chosen setting offers this. You do not have to use all the additional 15 hours. 30 hours free childcare - GOV.UK www.gov.uk
What is Early Years Pupil Premium and is my child eligible for it?
Early Years Pupil Premium is available for your child and claimed by the early education provider, if a child at their setting is accessing free early education and the child is:
- aged 3 or 4 (but not 4-year-olds in reception class at school)
- living in England
- has left care under a permanency order or the child's parent or carer is in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
The nursery or pre-school settings will ask you to self-declare that your child meets the eligibility for the Early Years Pupil Premium.
It is not compulsory, but it helps the provider if you are willing to provide this information. The provider will need to see supporting evidence of your child's eligibility - usually a copy of the court order (any sensitive information can be obscured). Get extra funding for your early years provider - GOV.UK www.gov.uk
How can my Virtual School support me with my child during the Early Years?
Your Virtual School can offer information and advice and signpost you to a directory of local settings and those settings can gain a better understanding of your child by attending specific training on attachment and trauma offered by the Virtual School.
How do I choose the best school for my child?
Every child is different as is every school. It will be important to consider your child's needs and explore a number of schools to determine which will be the best match. You can review a school's prospectus or website, their latest Ofsted report, take a tour of the school, ask for personal
recommendations, and arrange to meet key staff such as the Designated Teacher to ask specific questions.
You may wish to consider:
- the distance to school and how your child will manage this
- whether an infant/junior/primary or through school would best meet your child's needs to reduce transitions
- what support is available in each school and if this matches your child's current or future needs
- whether the school is trauma or attachment aware and how they can support your child
- social connections and where peers are applying PAC-UK's Education Service offers a range of services to enable schools, parents and guardians and education and social care professionals to meet the needs of children who have experienced difficult starts in life.
PAC-UK have also developed a range of FREE resources to support families, schools and local authorities in meeting the educational needs of adopted and special guardianship children.
Read more here: http://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/ca_xC59x0iM5AP7fOUzcc?domain=pac-uk.org" www.pac-uk.org/education and here http://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/2Bw3C7LzJiz4LXKfNm8Ec?domain=pac-uk.org" www.pacuk.org/education/education-resources
Does the Ofsted inspection rating of a school matter?
Ofsted generally inspect every school every 2.5 to 4 years. The inspection report will show how the school is performing at the time of the inspection, although much can change between inspections. The report can show you the school's strengths and weaknesses based on the quality of education provided, the behaviour and attitudes in the school, personal development and the leadership and management. You would need to consider these in line with your child's individual needs. https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk
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