Knowledge Makes Change – December

As a member of the Best Start Partnership, the Jersey Child Care Trust compiles and distributes news, information and research (local and international) to all those in Jersey who want to make a difference for children.

“I am both excited, and proud, of the work that the Best Start Partnership has progressed as this year comes to a close and am inspired on a daily basis by the passion and determination of colleagues across the island to improve the lives of young children and their families.

Wishing everyone happiness and health over the festive season.”

Dr Cathy Hamer, Chair, Best Start Partnership

MAYBO Training Dates:

Positive and Safer Approaches to Behaviour

This course will help develop understanding of young children’s needs and behaviours by exploring functions of behaviour, positive behavioural support and safer de-escalation. This MAYBO licensed course is available to practitioners working within a registered setting. The course is split into three modules each taking 3 hours to complete. Details of each participant will be required at time of booking for certification purposes. Please see the links below for the various courses currently available:

For those working in registered Early Years Settings:

Course one; Wednesday 8th February – 9:30-12:30 and Thursday 9th February – 9:30-3pm Book Here

Course two; Monday 20th March, Wednesday 22nd March and Monday 27th March between 5pm and 8pm Book Here

Course three; Wednesday 10th May, 9:30-12:30 and Thursday 11th May, 9:30-3pm Book Here

For those working in school aged care – after school clubs, holiday clubs, activity clubs:

Course one; Monday 23rd January, Monday 30th January and Wednesday 1st February between 5pm and 8pm Book Here

Course two; Wednesday 1st March, Wednesday 8th March and Thursday 9th March between 5pm and 8pm Book Here

Course three; Wednesday 17th May, Thursday 18th May and Wednesday 24th May between 5pm and 8pm Book Here

Making it REAL:

We are thrilled to offer more training opportunities for Making it REAL:

Thursday 23rd March, 9.30 till 4.30; Book Here via Eventbrite

Monday 9th October, 9.30 till 4.30; Book Here via Eventbrite

Network Meeting for those already trained and using REAL. You can meet the trainers and other practitioners to chat about your challenges and successes: Tuesday 2nd May; Book Here.

For more info contact [email protected] (t; 07829801156)

Sing and Sign Courses for 2023:

An Introduction to Sing and Sign:

Wednesday 22nd February 6.00pm till 7:30pm Book Here

Sing and Sign – It’s Summer!

Wednesday 26th April, 6.00pm till 7.30pm Book Here

Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring Course for Early Years:

We are seeking expressions of interest in this course – there is some information about the content here; Level 5 Coaching

Please let me know if you are interested in this course (and are currently working in a registered Early Years Setting). Space is very limited for this free course… email [email protected] or call 01534 629901 for more information.

50 things to do before you are 5

50 things in 2022!

The ‘50 things before you’re 5’ team, the Best Start Partnership and the Childcare and Early Years’ Service would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2023.

The app has enjoyed a brilliantly successful first year in Jersey. We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone who has supported us, by hosting us at events; those of you have visited us when we have been out and about in the community; and those who have downloaded and used the app to support your children on their exciting birth to five learning journey.

Our most recent event at the Mont a L’Abbe Christmas Bazaar included #38 “Posty” from the app. Children were invited to write letters to Santa, and this week has seen them receive their replies all the way from the North Pole!

2023 promises to be just as exciting. We look forward to meeting app users old and new as we continue to showcase 50 things to do before you’re 5.

Consultation: Children and Young People Law 2022 Statutory Guidance

The Government of Jersey is asking those who work with and provide services to children and young people to review and comment on the proposed statutory guidance supporting the Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2022.

The Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2022 is a new law that sets out a series of specific measures to promote and support the wellbeing, welfare and safeguarding of children and young people.

The statutory guidance has been drafted to explain how people should carry out their duties and responsibilities under the law. The guidance will also inform a future training programme for practitioners ahead of the implementation of the law in 2023.

Further information, including the proposed statutory guidance, an introduction to the guidance and an online survey, is available at gov.je/consultations

A second survey is available for children and young people to share their thoughts on a number of key themes of the guidance: having conversations, sharing information, being involved and services working better together.

If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact Emma Richardson-Calladine: [email protected]

The consultation closing date has been extended to 13th January 2023

Mums Meet with Mind Jersey:

Is launching on the 6th January 2023 every Friday at Pips Place.

For any mums that might be feeling low or that may be struggling, our Mums Meet groups will offer a safe and non-judgemental space to meet and learn from other mums, ask questions and connect with likeminded mums who get it!

There is a Facebook page Mums Meet with Mind Jersey | Facebook where mums can be kept up to date with group info.

Dreaming Trees – free resources available in January

In February half term, you will be able to see trees in a whole new light at a series of free community events.

Leading up to this, free curriculum linked resources supporting English, Art and Design, Music and Science (biology and physics) will be available for all key stages, along with a competition for different age groups.

The Government of Jersey’s department for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment (IHE) is delivering this project with the aim of getting people outside and into the parks this winter.

The project will also provide an opportunity to learn more about trees and the exciting scientific research that shows how trees communicate and share resources across a ‘wood wide web’. This has been led by Dr Suzanne Simard (leader of the Mother Tree Project and author of Finding the Mother Tree) whose work will be referenced in the curriculum pack.

More information will follow but if you would like to register interest, please contact Emma Richardson-Calladine who is working with IHE: [email protected]

News, Research and Training from the UK;

You can read the latest bulletin from the Early Childhood Unit at the National Children’s Bureau here: Click here to download your ECU Bulletin

And the ‘Innovations in early years support from A Better Start’ newsletter is available here; A Better Start

Cost of Living: Supporting Families in the Early Years

Thursday 23 February 2023, 16.30 – 18.00

Please join us for this important webinar as our panel reflect on what the cost of living crisis means for children in the early years, their families and early years providers.

Full programme and further information coming soon.

Talk To Your Baby:
Preparing for a new generation
Monday 30 January 30 2023
Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham £120.00

At the nextTalk To Your Baby conference, our annual early years event, we will examine current challenges within the sector and consider how emerging innovations, and a coordinated call for action, might provide hope of positive learning and life outcomes for all children in early years. Meet the panel of expert speakers: