EYCC Noticeboard

Early Years and Childcare Update - 04 June 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.

DSL Sessions for Early Years and Childcare Providers/OOSC and HAF

Please find links below to register for the Summer Term DSL Sessions. 

Please note: 

  • Sessions are split into those relevant for Early Years and Childcare Providers and those relevant to Out of School Clubs (OOSC) and HAF Providers 
  • You need only register for one session as the same information is shared 

DSL Session for Early Years and Childcare (This session will cover any safeguarding updates, safer sleeping and safer recruitment) 

DSL Network for OOSC and HAF (This session will cover any safeguarding updates and safer recruitment specifically for school aged childcare providers) 

Early Years Ordinarily Available Guidance (OAG) Webinar 

The Early Years Ordinarily Available Guidance (OAG) is full of “things you can try”. 

These are simple, practical ideas to help you support children in your setting, especially when a child may need a bit more help. 

Come and join us to look at the Early Years OAG together.   

We welcome anyone working in the Early Years sector to join one of the following sessions: 

  • Wednesday 10th June at 2.00pm 
  • Thursday 11th June at 4.00pm 

During the webinar, we will: 

  • answer questions you have about the Early Years OAG 
  • talk about what would help you use the OAG in your setting 

Book your place using one of the links below. Please select your preferred date: 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Early Years OAG Action Research – Inclusive Practice in Action

We are delighted to share the outcomes from Birmingham’s Early Years OAG Action Research Project. 

Over the past six months, 12 action research projects have explored how the Early Years Ordinarily Available Guidance (OAG) can be embedded in everyday practice. 

Across nursery schools, primary schools, childminders and PVI settings, practitioners have made practical, manageable changes, creating calmer environments, strengthening communication approaches, building independence and adapting provision around children’s needs. 

Exit survey responses showed increased confidence in supporting children with SEND, alongside a significant increase in awareness and use of the OAG. Settings describe children as more settled, more engaged and more confident. 

Staff shared: 

“Staff are now more confident in identifying needs and using strategies to support children.” 

“Using the OAG has helped us reflect on what we do and improve our practice.” 

“The OAG has helped us think about what works for all children, not just individuals.” 

Parents are also reporting greater confidence in the support available, with one parent saying: 

“We feel more confident in what is in place for our child.” 

What stands out is how achievable this work has been, with small, intentional changes making a meaningful difference to daily practice. 

Explore the resources: 

  • View the infographic for a quick overview of the project 
  • Read the one-page summary for the key messages and headline impact 
  • Download the Stories of Implementation to see how settings approached this work, including their focus, actions, impact and next steps. These provide practical, real-world examples to support your own inclusive practice. 

Last Chance: Sign Up Before 30 June for £500 of FREE Early Years SEND Training 

Birmingham Early Years Professionals and Families - don’t miss out! 

You have until Tuesday 30 June 2026 to secure access to £500 worth of FREE online training from Dingley’s Promise. 

Why this matters? 

Dingley’s Promise, England’s leading specialist nursery provider for children under 5 with SEND, has developed 10 high-quality modules to strengthen inclusive practice across Birmingham, helping every child thrive. 

What’s on offer? 

Sign up by the end of June and complete any or all modules by December 2026: 

  • Introduction to Inclusive Practice 
  • SEND Transitions 
  • Behaviours That Challenge 
  • Intersections in Early Years Practice 
  • Difficult Conversations with Families 
  • Voice of the Child 
  • Leadership & Management for Inclusion 
  • Inclusive Curriculum & Assessment 
  • Supporting Communication Development 
  • Creating Inclusive Environments 

The training modules offer: 

  • Flexible learning – complete at your own pace 
  • Interactive resources – videos, activities, workbooks 
  • Certificate for every module completed 

Who should take part? 

This opportunity is open to anyone supporting children under 5 in Birmingham, including: 

  • Early Years practitioners and SENCos 
  • Childminders 
  • Family Hub staff 
  • Local Authority colleagues 
  • Parents and carers 

How to sign up 

Access the training via the Dingley’s Promise – Training Finder, located here: Comic Relief Early Years Inclusion Programme - Dingley's Promise (Select Birmingham and create an account) 

Deadline: Tuesday 30 June 2026 

Bonus Mark of Achievement for Settings 

Settings, including childminders, can earn the Dingley’s Promise Mark of Achievement, which is formal recognition for your commitment to inclusion.  To gain this, if your setting has: 

  • 4+ staff: 75% of staff must complete the Introduction to Inclusive Practice module + 2 other modules 
  • Under 4 staff (including childminders): The lead practitioner must complete the above 

When your setting has achieved the above, please notify Dingley’s Promise training team via email on training@dingley.org.uk   

Briefing: Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets 

We’re calling all Early Years practitioners, leaders and managers! 

This is your final opportunity in the 2025/26 academic year to attend our ‘Driving Progress in Early Years Through Powerful Targets’ briefing (formerly Target Setting for Early Years Personal Education Plans (PEPs)). 

Birmingham City Council’s Early Years and Childcare Service, in partnership with Birmingham Virtual School, will deliver this session to support practitioners to set ambitious, clear and purposeful targets for all children - with a particular focus on improving outcomes for Birmingham’s children in care. 

The briefing session will:  

  1. Develop your understanding of the experiences of children who become looked after, and the important role early years practitioners play in promoting their progress, achievement and overall development  
  2. Explore practical approaches to setting ambitious and meaningful targets that support children to make the best possible progress from their starting points  
  3. Provide an opportunity to meet with a Birmingham Virtual School Early Years Advisor and gain insight into their role in supporting children in care  
  4. Support practitioners in meeting aspects of the requirements for completing children’s electronic Personal Education Plans (ePEPs)  

Note: This session is not a replacement for Birmingham Virtual School ePEP training but is designed to complement understanding. 

Why This Briefing Matters 

Too many care-experienced adults continue to face economic instability and limited life opportunities - a reflection of the early disadvantage they often experience due to disrupted attachments, trauma and/or instability. 

To change this narrative, we must act early and with purpose.  It is our shared responsibility to ensure that all children, including children in care develop in line with their peers and achieve well.  By doing so, we contribute meaningfully to the collective goal of giving every child the best start in life, as emphasised in national guidance and the Ofsted Early Years Inspection Toolkit, which calls for a robust and inclusive response from all providers. 

How to book your place 

Our final round of briefing sessions for this academic year will be held in July. We have morning, evening, afternoon and evening sessions which can be booked via the following link: 

Book your place via Birmingham Early Years Network  

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 & 5pm except Bank Holidays. 

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: 

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. 

School Based Nursery Phase 3 Capital Funding Programme  

A fantastic opportunity for schools to increase the capacity of their existing nursery provision or create a new nursery provision subject to meeting eligibility criteria. 

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

If you are a school interested in this funding opportunity please email Kevin.Caulfield@birmingham.gov.uk and Rebekah.Horton@birmingham.gov.uk directly so we can set up a meeting to discuss your proposal and share information regarding the application process and eligibility.

Early Education Entitlements

Parent Declaration Form

There will be an updated version of the Parent Declaration form for Autumn 2026. Whilst we try to minimise the number of changes to this document, there have been changes to the terminology for 2-year funding and the Free School Meal eligibility is changing for September 2026. 

2-Year Funding: You will know the 2-year funding as “disadvantaged funding” or funding for “families in receipt of additional support (FRAS) however the Department for Education have updated the offer of 2-year funding to call it “Early Learning for 2-year-olds”.  

Please note: the criteria for 2-year-old funding has not changed and the process for applying for it has not changed. 

Free School Meal Eligibility: Free School Meal eligibility is expanding from September 2026.  

Targeted FSM will be based on current eligibility, so children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. Households qualifying for free meals because they are in receipt of support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guaranteed element of Pension Credit or households with families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may also be eligible for targeted FSM. Other education entitlements that have previously been linked to eligibility for FSM, such as the Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue to be based on targeted FSM.  

Targeted FSM children will attract early years pupil premium. 

Expanded FSM: Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400. Expanded entitlement is eligibility for a free school meal only - these children will not be entitled to EYPP.  

We understand that providers will be signing up parents towards the end of this term to take up their funded places in Autumn so will endeavour to get the revised form out as soon as possible. 

Childminders – Claiming EEE for Relatives 

Early Education Entitlements (EEE) cannot be claimed by Childminders providing childcare for their own child or a related child, even if they are claiming for other children. This is stated clearly in the terms and conditions of funding and in the early education and statutory guidance.  

Early years provision is defined in section 20 of the 2006 Act as the provision of childcare. “Childcare”, as defined in section 18 of the 2006 Act, specifically excludes care provided for a child by a parent, stepparent, foster parent (or other relative) or by a person who fosters the child privately or has parental responsibility for the child.  

Early years provision by a childminder (either independently registered with Ofsted or registered with a childminder agency) for a related child does not count as childcare in legal terms. Government funding cannot be claimed by, or spent on, childminders providing childcare for their own child or a related child, even if they are claiming for other children. 

Where any claims are identified as not meeting the terms and conditions of funding, the funding will be clawed back.  

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:

WellComm Data Sessions

For the attention of all EEE providers.

Come and join us for one of our online sessions to demonstrate how to use the WellComm data spreadsheet to collate your screening data and prepare for sharing your WellComm data with the Local Authority. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and be signposted to practical support if required.  

WellComm Data Sessions for Schools and Maintained Nursery Schools 

WellComm Data Sessions for Day Nurseries, Preschool Playgroups and Childminders 

This entry was posted by Jessica Wykes on 03/06/2026.

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