1. News

NDNA Response to BBC Whistleblower Programme Shown 5th March 2008

Following the screening of the BBC’s Whistleblower programme on the unacceptable practices that took place at just Learning Nursery in Camborne, Cambridgeshire, the NDNA has issued some points you may wish to discuss with parents should they refer to the programme.

These points are available to download

For more information on the documentary click here
 

I CAN Early Talk Programme

I CAN, the children’s communication charity has launched a UK wide training programme for Children’s Centres called Early Talk.

Sunderland City Council has signed an agreement with I CAN to deliver training to 100 practitioners across the city. The aim of the training is to increase skills and knowledge in developing children’s speaking and listening.

Settings from each cluster area in the city will apply to be accredited by I CAN and for this they will submit a portfolio demonstrating that their setting does its utmost to support children’s communication skills.

If you would like more information about I CAN and the excellent resources they have available for parents and practitioners visit www.ican.org.uk
 

Youth Music Project in Sunderland

Youth Music has awarded Sunderland a grant of £10,000 to support the development of music with young children across the city. Two experienced Early Years Music Specialists have been employed for 10 weeks to support practitioners delivering Busy Bodies sessions in Sunderland Children’s Centres.

The aim of the project is to develop the expertise of the practitioners in delivering high quality music and movement sessions with young children and their families and to increase uptake of the sessions from families.

To find out more visit Youth Music of the World

2. CIS News

Children’s Information Service to Families Information Service

The final version of the Statutory Guidance, the duty to provide information advice and assistance, Section 12 of the Childcare Act 2006 has been published.

The document formally confirms that Children’s Information Services will change to be known as Families Information Services from April this year. This is to take account of the broadened service to be offered to families from before birth to 19 years.

The full document is available to download by clicking here

3. Childcare News

Advice on Physical Contact with Children

The National Day Nurseries Association and Scope has published a free resource to help settings understand the key issues, challenges and good practice when managing physical contact between childcarers and children.

Managing carer/child physical contact looks at why ‘appropriate’ touch is increasingly becoming an issue for nurseries, gives guidelines for good practice, shares frequently asked questions and provides illustrative case studies.

For further guidance click here

New Childcare Checklist

Sure Start has published a Childcare Checklist. This 11-point list is designed to help parents choose the right childcare setting for their child.

Download the Sure Start Childcare Checklist here

Annual Survey of Childcare Costs

The Daycare Trust has published their annual Childcare costs survey and for the seventh year running costs have increased. Families are paying on average between £7,000 and £8,000 for a full-time nursery place for a baby or toddler under two.

The survey shows the basic fees charged by childcare settings, and does not include the help available from the Government through tax credits, childcare vouchers and free nursery places when a child is three. Among the findings of the survey are:

Childcare costs for children in England continue to rise above the rate of inflation
A typical full-time nursery place for a child under two is now £159 per week. This compares with average earnings of £457 per week. Childcare costs have increased by nearly 5% in the past 12 months.
Fees for childminders were lower than nursery fees with an average rate of £144 for a child aged under two and £142 for a child two and over. The increase was broadly in line with the inflation rate.
In Scotland the increase in costs appear to be slowing down. In Wales costs have increased more quickly that in England and Scotland.

For more details of the survey click here