EYCC Noticeboard

Early Years and Childcare Update - 30 April 2026

Welcome to this week's Early Years and Childcare update!

This week's update includes information on:

Please feel free to share this update with anyone you think would benefit from accessing this content. 

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact familyinformation@birmingham.gov.uk

Nominate a Provider Portal User

As you may already be aware, the Early Years and Childcare Team has launched a new Information Portal for providers called the Nexus Provider Portal. 

Many providers have already nominated a Nexus Provider Portal user. If you haven’t already done so, please do this today using our online form. You can have accounts for up to four people within your organisation. 

The introduction of this portal will enable us to:

  • strengthen the information that we collect from you
  • improve the information that we can provide to parents and third parties when they are looking for childcare options
  • contact you more efficiently.  

Please note: Completing this form does not immediately create your account. After we verify the nominated user form, we will send you a link to create your Provider Portal account.

If you have any queries about the Nexus Provider Portal, please contact FamilyInformation@birmingham.gov.uk.

Save the Date – Best Start in Life Launch & Early Years Marketplace

Birmingham City Council Early Years and Childcare Service is pleased to invite you to save the date for the launch of Birmingham’s Best Start in Life Strategy.

This event will bring together early years providers, partners and professionals from across the city to celebrate our shared commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.

Alongside the strategy launch, the event will feature an Early Years Marketplace, showcasing a range of support, data and resources available to settings and families, including work with key early years partners.

Date: Monday 8 June 2026
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm
Location: TBC

Sign‑up and further details will be shared shortly.

If you are unable to participate in this in-person session, please note that additional webinar sessions covering the same content will be scheduled in the future. Monitor this space for upcoming updates and additional information.

Please save the date and we look forward to welcoming you.

School Based Nursery Phase 3 Capital Funding Programme – Awareness Raising Webinar 14th May 2026

The Department for Education has recently rolled out Phase 3 of the School Based Nursery Capital Programme.

The purpose of the programme is for schools to either increase the number of early education places for (0 to 4 year olds) in their existing early years provision or create places at a new provision based on the school site to meet an unmet gap in the local area where the school is located.

The funding will only support capital costs associated with the refurbishment or repurposing of existing space on the school site.

The webinar is aimed at all state funded schools e.g. Maintained Nursery Schools, Primary Schools and all through schools with Primary provision.

The session will cover:

  • Eligibility
  • The Sufficiency position for each of the 69 wards across the city
  • The application process
  • Sharing of links to DfE Guidance.
  • Q and A

The session will take place on Teams on Thursday 14th May 2026 – 10-00 am to 11-30

Please follow the link below to attend the session.

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/337688032383611?p=4lrJKcBMvNkwh5EfEo

2026 Early Years Transition Events - Supporting a Smooth Transition to Reception for Every Child in Birmingham 

If you are: 

  1. An early years provider with children transferring to Reception in September 2026 
  2.  A reception class teacher or a school Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) 

You are invited to attend our free annual transition event(s) which aim to robustly support a smooth transition to Reception for every child in Birmingham who is moving to a reception class in September 2026. 

The Department for Education is clear that: 

“Starting school is a significant milestone for children and families.  The quality of transition arrangements shapes children’s early experiences of education and their perceptions of school for years to come…. Effective reception transition also supports early development, particularly communication, language and social and emotional skills.” 

In Birmingham, over 400 schools and early years providers attended our district-based transition events in 2025, along with other professionals and organisations to support the transition process. 

What is a Birmingham Early Years Transition event? 

These face-to-face transition events provide an opportunity for early years providers and reception practitioners to share information to support a smooth transition for every child as they move on to their Reception classes in September 2026. 

There are opportunities for schools, early years settings, and childminders to discuss children transitioning to Reception classes in school, share transition documents and expertise, as well as arrange visits between settings. 

Other professionals, for example from the Area SENCo team and Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) teams, will also be in attendance to support these events. 

How to register your attendance at an Early Years Transition event? 

There are 10 districts across Birmingham.   

  • Early Years Providers - You’ll want to attend the transition event(s) in the district the child’s new school is situated in. 
  • Reception Class Teachers & School SENCo’s - You’ll want to attend the transition event in the district your school is located in 

If you’re unsure which district applies, please use the government’s constituencies search page, and enter the postcode of the child’s new school to identify the correct Birmingham district, then register for the corresponding event – Link to the Government’s Constituencies Search Page 

2026 Transition Event Sign-up Links: 

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event! 

Providers & Practitioners - You’re invited to attend the Summer Early Years Consultant Cluster Surgery in a District Near You 

Bookings are now open for the in-person and online Summer Early Years Consultant Cluster Surgeries. 

Our Cluster Surgeries take place once every term and are led by your district Early Years Consultants (EYC). These sessions offer a supportive space where providers and practitioners can explore current topics linked to delivering high‑quality practice across early years and childcare. They’re also a great opportunity to connect with other professionals and providers, share experiences, and build the strong relationships that help us work together to improve outcomes for Birmingham’s children. 

Whether you are a childminder, an early years practitioner, a group setting manager, director, or an early years lead in a primary school, you are warmly invited to join us. 

North Cluster Surgery: Exploring Safer Sleep 

North Cluster includes, Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield & Erdington Districts 

This term, the North Cluster session will focus on exploring safer sleep. Our Early Years Consultants will: 

  • Discuss September 2026 changes within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework regarding safer sleep arrangements 
  • Explore how key messages can be shared with parents 
  • You will also meet the North Cluster Family Hub team 

To book your place at one or more of North Cluster’s Summer EYC Surgeries, please use the links below: 

Please note: In‑person spaces are limited due to venue capacity, so early booking is advised.   

Central and East Cluster Surgery: Supporting children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in Early Years 

Central and East Cluster includes, Ladywood, Hodge Hill & Solihull North and Yardley Districts 

This term, the Central and East Cluster session will focus on supporting children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in Early Years. Our Early Years Consultants will: 

  • Explore practical ways to support children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) 
  • Discuss inclusive practice, valuing home languages and the importance of creating language‑rich environments 
  • You will have the opportunity to share scenarios and challenges, and build confidence in supporting children with EAL and their families 

To book your place at one or more of Central and East Cluster’s Summer EYC Surgeries, please use the links below: 

Please note: In‑person spaces are limited due to venue capacity, so early booking is advised.   

South Cluster Surgery: Best Start in Life (BSiL) Family Hubs 

South Cluster includes Hall Green, Selly Oak, Northfield & Edgbaston Districts 

The session in the South Cluster will focus on Best Start in Life (BSiL) Family Hubs. Our Early Years Consultants will: 

  • Support early years providers to understand and engage with the Best Start in Life (BSiL) agenda 
  • Explore Birmingham’s local approach to BSiL and what this means in practice for nurseries and families 
  • You will hear directly from Best Start Family Hubs across the southern cluster, understand their role and the support they offer to families and settings 
  • You will also learn how providers can access, work alongside and benefit from Family Hub services 

To book your place at one or more of South Cluster’s Summer EYC Surgeries, please use the links below: 

Please note: In‑person spaces are limited due to venue capacity, so early booking is advised.   

What else is coming up for continuing professional development (CPD)? 

There are lots of free professional development opportunities available across Birmingham for early years practitioners, leaders, managers and those delivering Early Years Education and Childcare. You can view upcoming events here: 

https://www.birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org/events  

Inclusion: Raising Awareness Across All Childcare Settings in Birmingham (Free In Person Workshop) 

Diverse Beginnings: Enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Childcare Settings is our free in-person workshop for all Birmingham providers of Early Years and Childcare. 

This workshop is suitable for all practitioners, managers, provision owners and directors, but spaces are limited.   

We are inviting early years and childcare providers across Birmingham to join us for a powerful in-person workshop designed to support and strengthen inclusive practice in your setting. We’ve listened to the sector and moved this workshop offer away from online formats to create a more impactful, collaborative learning space. 

Why Attend? 

This session is more than just a workshop – it’s a space for real connection, reflection and action.  Developed in response to sector feedback, Diverse Beginnings offers a rare opportunity to come together in person to explore how Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) can be meaningfully embedded across all aspects of early years and childcare provision. 

Together we’ll: 

  • Raise awareness of EDI within the context of early years practice 
  • Explore how EDI principles can be integrated into recruitment, routines, leadership and beyond 
  • Share experiences and reflect with peers in a supportive, face-to-face environment 
  • Feel empowered to champion inclusive and equitable approaches in your own setting 

Why Now? 

The new Ofsted Early Years Toolkit places a strong emphasis on inclusion. From November 2025, Ofsted will be considering: 

“The commitment of leaders and those responsible for governance to provide high standards of education and care to improve the lives of all children, especially those receiving statutory support, including disadvantaged children, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care, and those who may face barriers to their learning and/or well-being” 

This workshop will help you strengthen your inclusive practice, with confidence and enhanced clarity. 

Please note spaces are limited. 

This is a free workshop, but places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.   

Don’t miss out – book your place today and be part of the change. For more information about the venues and to access our booking links, please follow the links below:  

Other inclusion subject-based training and resources available to you for free include: 

Need support? Talk to us: 

If you need advice, guidance or support on any Early Years or Childcare topics, the Birmingham Early Years and Childcare Service is here to help. 

You can speak directly with an experienced Early Years Consultant who can offer support and expert insight. Contact us via our Early Years Duty Line on 0121 675 4996 or email us eyduty@birmingham.gov.uk Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm except Bank Holidays. 

Two New Free Courses: Strengthen Inclusion with Dingley’s Promise 

Dingley’s Promise are thrilled to launch two brand new, expert-led training courses, fully funded by Comic Relief. 

  1. An Inclusive Approach to Curriculum and Assessment 

This course is designed to help practitioners build the confidence and knowledge to ensure their curriculum is underpinned by inclusive practice. You will learn to make necessary adaptations so your curriculum is accessible for all children and understand how to use effective assessment tools to identify needs early and accelerate learning. 

Inclusive curriculum assessment | Birmingham City Council

  1. Supporting Communication Development for Early Years Children with SEND 

Designed to respond to the growing number of children with early communication challenges, this course explores the stages of development and the barriers children with SEND can face. You will gain the confidence to identify needs and act quickly to support every child's communication journey. 

Developing communication in early years | Birmingham City Council

See the attached leaflets for further course information. 

Sign up to access the new courses here: 

https://forms.office.com/e/V3zvR1cPKr 

Other free courses available from Dingley’s Promise includes: 

  • An introduction to Early Years Inclusive Practice 
  • Early Years SEND Transitions  
  • Managing Behaviours that Challenge   
  • Having Difficult Conversations with Families 
  • Voice of the Child   
  • Leadership and Management for Inclusion 
  • Intersections within Early Years Practice 

You can access these other courses here - Comic Relief Early Years Inclusion Programme - Dingley's Promise but remember, free access to all of these 9 courses is only available for a limited time, so it's a good idea to prioritise completing them while you can!  

NEW Inclusive Practice in Early Years Resources from a Collaboration Between Childcare Works and Dingley’s Promise 

Creating an inclusive environment is essential for every child to thrive. To help you achieve this, Childcare Works, in collaboration with Dingley’s Promise (England’s largest specialist provider of nursery education for children under 5 with SEND) has developed a collection of practical resources designed to support inclusive practice in your setting. 

What’s Included? 

Note: Birmingham’s Ordinarily Available Provision document is called Ordinarily Available Guidance (OAG). 

We have three versions available: 

  1. Early Years Ordinarily Available Guidance 
  2. School Age Ordinarily Available Guidance 
  3. Post-16 Ordinarily Available Guidance 

The Early Years version is currently in draft form but can still be used. 

How to Access: 

Click the links or visit: Dingley’s Promise and Childcare Works: Inclusive Practice in the Early Years 

Speech, Language and Communication (SLC) and the Home Learning Environment (HLE)

Introduction to WellComm training 

For the attention of EEE providers.

WellComm is the approved screening tool in Birmingham, and it supports a consistent universal approach to assessing and supporting children’s speech, language and communication needs. If you are not yet using WellComm to screen your children’s speech and language, please attend one of our online training sessions. Birmingham City Council will fully fund one WellComm Toolkit for all schools, nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders registered to offer Early Education Entitlement (EEE) places. Early Years settings need to attend an ‘Introduction to WellComm’ workshop. During the workshop, you will be provided with instructions on how to receive your Toolkit. Settings that have received a WellComm screening tool can continue to send staff that are new or require a refresher of how to use WellComm onto the training. 

Please click the link next to your preferred date to book your place:

Wraparound: The missing jigsaw piece in the proposed SEND reforms? Meeting for Wraparound Providers

Thursday the 30th of April, 6:30PM-7:30PM - Our next peer network for wraparound care providers.

We have decided to dedicate this next peer network meeting to doing our very best to make sure your sector is represented in the government's consultation about the proposed SEND reforms. We feel strongly that the proposals are showing a gap at present as they are entirely focused on schools and the early years sector, and completely miss an opportunity to support the wraparound or out of school sector.

We know you play a crucial part in supporting families with school age children, and that you do an amazing job of supporting inclusion in your settings. We also know, however, that inclusion can be very challenging without support, and that sometimes children and families miss out as a result.

Please join us for a dedicated conversation to support as many settings as possible to respond to the consultation and make sure the wraparound sector has a voice in these proposed changes.

Who Should Attend?

The meeting is open to the wraparound sector in its widest sense, so breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday clubs, Holiday Activities and Food providers, leisure and sports providers, voluntary and community groups, short breaks providers and schools too.

How Do I Join?

This is a free event and open event hosted by Families First.

When: Thursday the 30th of April, 6.30–7.30pm

Where: Zoom

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE MEETING LINK.

Please contact info@familiesfirst.org.uk for any questions or if you have difficulty accessing the link.

www.familiesfirst.org.uk

This entry was posted by Jessica Wykes on 29/04/2026.

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