EYCC Noticeboard

Early Years and Childcare Update - 09 July 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. 

Looking After Early Years Children During Hot Weather Guidance

This guidance is for those who manage or work in schools or early years settings and offers advice for looking after children in these settings during hot weather.

Children can be at risk from hot weather because of their physiology, behaviours and activity levels. Children potentially at greater risk include those aged under 4 years, with health conditions or taking certain medications.

Where a child has complex health conditions or clinical vulnerability, advice should be sought from their clinical team and shared with relevant staff. Further information about supporting children with medical conditions is available from the Department for Education (DfE).

Health Risks from Heat

Heat-related illness can range from mild heat stress to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The most common risk from heat is dehydration (not having enough water in the body) and sunburn. If sensible precautions are taken, children are unlikely to be adversely affected by hot conditions. However, all staff should look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat Stress

Children suffering from heat stress may seem out of character or show signs of discomfort and irritability (including those listed below for heat exhaustion). These signs will worsen with physical activity and if left untreated can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

For children and young people who use nappies, dark urine or dry nappies may indicate dehydration and the need for more fluids.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion vary but include one or more of the following:

  • tiredness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin

To cool a child suffering from heat exhaustion:

  • move the child to a cool area and encourage them to drink cool water
  • cool the child as rapidly as possible, for example, by sponging or spraying the child with cool water and placing cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrapping the child in a cool, wet sheet and assist cooling with a fan                                                                                                                                   

If you are concerned about symptoms, or they are worsening, seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111.

Heatstroke

Heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke when the body is unable to cool itself down. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal.

Symptoms of heatstroke may include:

  • confusion or lack of co-ordination
  • seizures (fits)
  • loss of consciousness
  • high body temperature – a temperature of or above 40°C (104°F)
  • red, hot skin that can be sweaty or dry
  • fast heartbeat
  • fast shallow breathing
  • diarrhoea

If heatstroke is suspected, call 999 and then cool the child down whilst awaiting medical assistance.

If a child loses consciousness, or has a fit:

  1. Place the child in the recovery position.
  2. Call 999 immediately and follow their instructions.

Protecting Children Outdoors

Teachers and other educational professionals who manage or work in schools or early years settings should sign up to receive Weather-Health Alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office. These alerts underpin the Adverse Weather and Health Plan.

Children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days.

Uniform rules should be relaxed, especially during amber or red Heat-Health Alerts (HHAs), and children should wear loose, light-coloured clothing to help keep cool and sunhats with wide brims to avoid sunburn.

Encourage children outdoors to stay in the shade as much as possible.

Apply sunblock or broad-band sunscreens with high sun protection factors (of at least SPF 30 and ultraviolet A (UVA) rating of 4 or more stars) to protect skin.

Sunscreen should be applied generously and reapplied every 2 hours, and after activities that remove them, such as swimming or towelling. Find more information on sunscreen and sun safety from NHS.UK.

Provide and encourage children to drink plenty of water and encourage them to drink more than usual in hot weather.

Protecting Children Indoors

During periods of high temperature:

  • if it is safe and appropriate, open windows early in the morning to allow stored heat to escape from the building
  • if possible, close windows during the day when it is hotter outside than inside whilst considering the need to maintain adequate ventilation and air quality
  • shade sun-facing windows if possible, and close indoor blinds or curtains to keep the heat out
  • switch off all electrical equipment, including computers, monitors and printers when not in use – do not leave equipment in ‘standby mode’ as this generates heat
  • if possible, use classrooms or other spaces which are less likely to overheat, and adjust the layout of teaching spaces to avoid direct sunlight on children
  • use oscillating mechanical fans to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C (above this temperature they may be counterproductive)
  • consider rearranging school start, finish, and play times to avoid teaching during very hot conditions
  • encourage children to eat normally and drink plenty of water

Further advice on keeping buildings cool can be adapted from UKHSA’s Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist from the Beat the heat: hot weather advice.

There is also guidance on:

Smart and Meta Glasses 

As technology continues to evolve, new devices are reshaping the way we connect, learn, and share information. One of the latest innovations is Smart Glasses – eyewear that looks like ordinary spectacles but can include built-in cameras, microphones, and internet connectivity. Products such as Ray-Ban Meta Glasses highlight how accessible and affordable this technology has now become.  

While these developments are exciting, they also raise important questions about privacy and safety.  

Smart glasses can discreetly record, live-stream, or share content instantly, and therefore can pose risks to children, staff, and visitors. 

Meta is perhaps the best-known brand, but other cheaper, unbranded camera glasses with no indicator light at all are available online for as little as £20. 

This clearly raises several issues:  

  • Safeguarding: images or videos can be captured without consent. 
  • Privacy: live-streaming may inadvertently expose sensitive or identifying information about pupils. 
  • Data protection: such recordings could breach UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.  

Two practical steps: 

  • Update your visitor sign-in procedure to include a declaration covering camera-enabled wearable devices, including glasses. 
  • Add wearable recording devices (including glasses) to your safeguarding, data protection, acceptable use of IT, behaviour policies and any other relevant policy statements. 

Safer Sleep Guidance 2026 

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework that will strengthen safer sleep requirements for babies and young children in early years settings. 

While the EYFS framework already signposts providers to NHS safer sleep guidance, the updated framework will incorporate these requirements directly into the statutory guidance. The changes are expected to come into force in September 2026, but early education minister Oliver Bailey has made it clear that providers are expected to be compliant with the requirements now. 

For nurseries, preschools and childminders, this update reinforces the importance of following recognised safer sleep practices and ensuring policies, procedures and staff training reflect current guidance 

To prepare for the updated EYFS requirements, providers should: 

  • Review current sleep policies
  • Check all cots and sleep equipment meet safer sleep recommendations 
  • Update staff training where necessary 
  • Share safer sleep information with parents and carers 
  • Audit sleep environments to ensure they align with current NHS guidance 

Taking proactive steps now will help ensure your setting is ready for the 2026 changes while maintaining best practice for children's safety and wellbeing. 

Guidance is available here: Help for early years providers : Safer sleep 

Updated Statement on Floor Beds and Coracles 

The DfE has clarified expectations for safer sleeping for children under the age of 12 months: 

Minister Bailey sent a letter in March 2026 setting out proposed revised safer sleep requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework.  This included the requirement for early years providers that babies aged 12 months and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot.  Following this, the Department received numerous requests for guidance from the sector in relation to floor beds, which include coracles and sleep pods, with rigid or semi rigid sides. 

The Department has sought expert advice from a safe sleep academic in order to provide guidance to settings. Taking this advice into account, the Department recommends that floor beds for children are only used by early years providers for babies aged over 12 months. This is due to safety concerns associated with babies aged up to 12 months. 

The risks presented by beds with partially lowered sides have been highlighted in a prevention of future deaths report related to a bedside sleeper crib where a child suffocated after getting caught on the partially lowered side. The Department has been advised that the lack of coordination and torso strength in babies under 12 months could mean they get caught on the side if they squirmed or attempted to get out of a bed with a partially lowered side. 

We must ensure that the safety of our youngest children is put first. A cot, carry cot, moses basket or travel cot that fully meets British Safety Standards and is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions is the safest place for a baby aged 12 months and under to sleep in. 

Early Years and Childcare DSL Sessions 

Please find links below for rescheduled DSL sessions due to extreme weather conditions. 

It is only necessary to book onto one session: 

This session will cover any updates, safer sleeping and safer recruitment. 

Positive Early Childhood Education (PECE) Programme – Fully Funded Opportunity

Are you looking to strengthen children's self-regulation, positive behaviour and social-emotional development? 

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is currently recruiting early years settings across England to take part in a fully funded trial of the Positive Early Childhood Education (PECE) Programme, delivered by Triple P UK.  The programme supports practitioners working with 3–4-year-olds to embed practical strategies that help children develop self-regulation, positive behaviour and prosocial skills.  

The programme includes: 

  • Online professional development for practitioners working with 3–4-year-olds. 
  • Training for a setting-based PECE Coach (typically a manager or lead educator). 
  • Practical strategies to enhance interactions, learning environments and children's self-regulation skills. 
  • Ongoing coaching and support to help embed the programme into practice.   

Who can apply? Maintained, school-based and PVI nurseries in England may be eligible if they: 

  • Have at least 16 children aged 3–4 attending at least 10 hours per week from September 2026. 
  • Can identify a manager or lead educator to undertake the PECE Coach role. 
  • Meet the full eligibility criteria outlined by EEF.  

Funding and support Participation is free.  Settings involved in the trial will receive financial contributions towards evaluation activities and eligible staff release costs. 

Deadline: Register your interest by 31st July 2026.  

To find out more and check your eligibility, visit: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/positive-early-childhood-education-trial  

This may be of particular interest to settings looking to further develop high-quality practice around children's personal, social and emotional development and self-regulation.  Remember, good Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) skills are fundamental in the early years because they provide the foundation for children's learning, relationships, wellbeing and future success. 

Early Years Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

New training course for reception teachers and early years CPD available now.

Key Information 

The Department for Education (DfE) is increasing the amount of training that early years educators, including reception teachers, can access.  This includes: 

Click on each programme to find out more, including details on how to apply. 

Note:  Starts for the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) programmes and the Excellence in Reception Teaching course will begin in Autumn 2026, with registrations opening on 23 June 2026 and 6 July 2026 respectively.  Registrations for the early years child development training are open now. 

Other CPD Offers for Early Years and Reception Educators 

More about why such training is being made available now 

On 7 July 2025, DfE launched the Giving every child the best start in life strategy, which is known as Best Start Brum across Birmingham.  This included a commitment to improve the quality of education that children receive in early years settings, including childminders and reception classes.  To honour this commitment, the above listed training offers have been designed specifically for early years educators. 

Have you read Best Start Brum? 

It is imperative that we all familiarise with Best Start Brum, Birmingham’s local strategy in response to the DfE’s ‘Giving every child the best start in life’ national strategy, which aims to improve outcomes for children from birth to age five. 

Helpful Tip: Internet search ‘Best Start Brum’ & download the PDF file to access an informative overview of Birmingham’s local strategy.  

Time-limited DfE Funding Opportunity for Schools, Early Years Providers & Partners - DfE Early Education Partnerships 

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched an exciting new Early Education Partnerships funding opportunity to support stronger collaboration between schools, early years providers and partners, with the aim of improving children's transitions into Reception and strengthening Reception readiness. 

This three-year initiative will provide funding for partnerships to work together to: 

  • Strengthen transitions from early years settings to school 
  • Improve reception readiness 
  • Build and embed an evidence base for effective transition and reception readiness practice across the sector 
  • Improve outcomes for children, particularly those with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds 
  • Enable more teaching time to be spent delivering the Reception curriculum 

Who can form a partnership? 

Partnerships must include: 

  • At least one state-funded primary school 
  • At least one pre-Reception early years provider (for example, a PVI nursery, childminder, maintained nursery school etc)  

While other potential partners such as Best Start Family Hubs or organisations involved in supporting children in their Early Years may join partnerships, please note: 

  • Only a state-funded primary school can act as the Partnership Grant Administrator (PGA). 
  • The PGA is responsible for submitting the application and managing the grant on behalf of the partnership. 

We encourage all those who are interested in joining a partnership, to consider who they may wish to work with locally and to start conversations now, as the application deadline is fast approaching! 

Next steps 

If you are interested in forming a partnership, we encourage you to: 

  1. Read the DfE guidance and familiarise yourself with the expectations of the programme. 
  2. Reach out to local schools, early years providers and other relevant partners to explore opportunities to establish a partnership and collaborate on a funding application. 
  3. Consider how your existing transition and reception readiness work could be enhanced through collaborative working. 

Even if you are not leading an application, it may be beneficial to review the guidance in case you are approached by another organisation wishing to form a partnership. 

Deadline 

Applications must be completed and submitted by 17 July 2026. 

Need more information? 

Webinar Recording 

If you were unable to attend one of the DfE webinars, or would like a recap, you can access the webinar recording here: https://youtu.be/ceC26f8Eerc  

Frequently Asked Questions 

The DfE has also produced a Frequently Asked Questions document in response to questions raised by providers and webinar attendees: Early education partnerships webinar Q&A | Birmingham City Council

A Final Request: Please Keep Us Informed 

This initiative represents a significant opportunity to strengthen local early years systems, support children and families more effectively and develop sustainable practice that can continue beyond the lifetime of the programme.  

If your identified partnership is successful in securing DfE funding, Birmingham's Early Years and Childcare Service would be delighted to hear about your plans and periodically follow your partnership journey.  Please let us know of your success by contacting the Quality, Impact and Outcomes Officer at: EYDuty@birmingham.gov.uk   

Good luck with your applications! 

Baby and Me Drop-In Information 

What is the offer?

A weekly drop-in offering a relaxed space to support parents’ mental health and strengthen the relationship between parent (or any adult in a parenting role) and baby.

No referral required - ALL families can simply attend.

Who is delivering the offer?

The drop-ins are a partnership between Birmingham Forward Steps and the BSMHFT Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PAIRS). PAIRS is part of the BSMHFT CYP Division Infant & Perinatal Mental Health Team offer and is funded by the Government Best Start Family Hubs & Healthy Babies programme.

What happens at the drop-in?

  • A welcoming space with light refreshments
  • Informal chat with mental health professionals and a member of the Family Hub staff
  • Facilitated play space for babies
  • Opportunities to meet other parents and carers
  • Psychoeducation around infant and perinatal mental health
  • Signposting to NHS mental health and wider community support

Who can attend?

  • Parents and carers with babies up to age two
  • Pregnant people
  • Partners or wider family members

Who will be there?

  • PAIRS Senior Clinician
  • PAIRS Nursery Nurse
  • PAIRS Assistant Psychologist
  • Family Hub Family Support Worker

Where and when?

  • Monday - Plough and Harrow Children’s Centre, Ladywood - 12:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Tuesday - Anthony Road Children’s Centre, Alum Rock - 12:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Wednesday - St Paul’s Children’s Centre, Balsall Heath - 9:30am - 11:30am
  • Thursday - Wychall Children’s Centre, Northfield - 12:30pm - 2:00pm

All drop-ins run weekly for 1.5 hours. Information will be kept updated via the BSMHFT website (in progress).

If you have any questions about the service, please do not hesitate to contact PAIRS via bwc.ftbinfantmentalhealth@nhs.net

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 Entitlement

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) Funding – Are children in your setting missing out? 

Do you deliver government-funded Early Education Entitlement (EEE) hours in your setting? 

If the answer is yes, you may be able to claim Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) for eligible children attending your provision. 

What is EYPP? 

The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) provides additional funding to support improved outcomes for disadvantaged children.  When used effectively, it can help settings strengthen children's learning, development and wellbeing through high-quality, evidence-informed practice. 

Who is eligible? 

Children may be eligible for EYPP if they meet one or more of the following criteria: 

  • Their parent or carer receives certain qualifying benefits 
  • They are currently looked after by a local authority 
  • They have previously been looked after and left care through adoption, a Special Guardianship Order, or a Child Arrangements Order 

Why does claiming EYPP matter? 

We have identified that some Birmingham providers are not currently claiming EYPP.  This means settings may be missing out on valuable additional funding and, more importantly, children may be missing opportunities to benefit from support that could further enhance their learning, development and wellbeing. 

It is also important to remember that EYPP is about impact, not just the claiming of funding. Effective use of EYPP should focus on improving outcomes through high-quality practice, staff development, communication and language support and improvements to the learning environment.  Funding should be considered strategically and used to benefit eligible children collectively, rather than being viewed solely as funding for individual children. 

Act Now – EYPP Cannot Be Claimed Retrospectively 

The Early Years and Childcare Service is encouraging all eligible providers to review their current EYPP claims. 

EYPP funding is only available from the point at which eligibility has been confirmed and a claim has been submitted.  Claims cannot be backdated. 

To ensure your setting and children do not miss out, we recommend that: 

  • Eligibility checks are sensitively completed in collaboration with parents or carers as early as possible. 
  • EYPP claims are submitted promptly alongside funded hours claims. 
  • Robust systems are in place to regularly review eligibility throughout the year. 

Key Actions for Providers 

  • Review children currently attending your setting who may be eligible for EYPP. 
  • Encourage parents and carers to complete EYPP declaration forms where appropriate. 
  • Incorporate EYPP eligibility checks into admissions procedures and termly review processes. 
  • Regularly review how EYPP funding is being used and the impact it is having on children's outcomes. 

Access Further Information or Support 

For detailed information about EYPP, including eligibility guidance, practical examples and evidence-informed approaches to spending EYPP funding effectively, please see: 
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP): Making Every Penny Count 

Free school meals and early years pupil premium | Free childcare and education for children aged 9 months to 4 years | Birmingham City Council 

For advice and support relating to EYPP, please contact your District Early Years Consultant or the Early Years Duty Service: 

Email: EYDuty@birmingham.gov.uk  
Telephone: 0121 675 4996 

Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) 

For queries specifically relating to funding payments or the application process, please contact the Early Education Entitlement Team: 

Email: EarlyEducation@birmingham.gov.uk  
Telephone: 0121 303 0267 

Every eligible child identified is an opportunity to secure additional funding that can help improve outcomes and narrow developmental gaps for Birmingham's children. 

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

WellComm Data Collection for Schools and Nursery Schools 

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. We ask each school to share their termly screening data with us so that we can track the impact of the WellComm screening tool. For schools and nursery schools we collect your WellComm data via an online form each term. The Summer term data collection form is now available for schools and Nursery Schools. If you are a day nursery or childminder, you do not complete this form. 

The deadline for the form to be submitted is 31st August 2026. 

To complete the survey, please click Primary Schools and Maintained Nursery Schools WellComm Data Collection Summer 2026 – Fill in form 

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:

Early Talk Boost

Early Talk Boost is a targeted intervention aimed at 3- to 4-year-old children who need help with talking and understanding words, helping to boost their language skills to narrow the gap between them and their peers. The programme aims to accelerate children’s progress in language and communication by an average of 6 months, after a nine-week intervention.  

Children selected to take part in the intervention will attend three sessions per week during circle/story time, each lasting 15-20 minutes delivered by an early year’s practitioner. The sessions include activities that cover the foundation skills in speech, language, and communication that children need for learning and understanding new words, as well as having conversations. The training is delivered face to face and each setting will receive 2 boxes of Early Talk Boost resources. 

  • Friday 14th August, 10am – 3pm at Edgbaston Family Hub, (Doddington Children’s Centre), 28 Doddington Grove, Birmingham, B32 4EL 

Settings to fill out a Microsoft form and choose their preferred date Expression of Interest for Early Talk Boost Training 2026 – Fill in form 

This training is suitable for Birmingham EEE Funding Registered Day Nurseries, Nursery Schools and School Nursery Classes. 

Supporting Children’s Play: Applying the Playwork Principles in School-Aged Provision 

Please join us to look at: 

  • How we can develop a shared understanding of the Playwork Principles and their role in promoting high-quality school-aged childcare 
  • How your environment, activities and staff approaches enable and enhance children’s play 
  • How play, care and safeguarding responsibilities align when working with children aged 5 and over 

Dates and links to register:  

This entry was posted by Jessica Wykes on 07/07/2026.

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