Inclusive early years and education Survey deadline extended 31 March

The deadline for the survey on Inclusive Education and early years has been extended until 31 March to give parents and professionals who work in early years and education settings more time to share their experiences.

We are still keen to hear from more practitioners, and more parents and carers. The surveys are available in English, Polish, Portuguese, and Romanian.

With this in mind, could you please share these messages for staff members, and parents, including the attached digital poster and the direct links below. To make this easier, you can find draft wording below.

For parents:

You have one week to tell us about how we should welcome, include and support all children so that Jersey’s early years and education system is inclusive.

The survey is open until 31 March, and is open to all parents and carers who have children in childcare, nursery, school, or college.

There are versions of the survey available in

– English – link here

– Polish – link here

– Portuguese – link here

– Romanian – link here

This means you can answer in that language you prefer. All answers will be translated and added to all the other feedback we’ve received. You can find out more about this work on the Government of Jersey website.

For practitioners:

You have one week to tell us about how we should welcome, include and support all children so that Jersey’s early years and education system is inclusive.

The survey is open until 31 March, and is open to all professionals who work with children, including nursery staff , managers, support and care workers. This includes staff in children care provision, nurseries, schools, and colleges.

You can find the link online, or find out more about why we’re doing this work on this page.

Safeguarding Partnership board offer a range of multi-agency training covering all areas of safeguarding topics.

We run several ‘in person’ training courses and ‘Lunch and Learns’ throughout the year. All our training is multi-agency and most of it delivered in person so you can ask questions and meet people from different organisations. Take a look at our upcoming courses here.

There are also online courses and resources that are available through a number of providers. Further details of these can be found here.

Finally, our informative 7 Minute Briefings cover a range of subjects – a really useful resource. You can find these on our website here.

First Birthday Picnic and Play

We are delighted to be celebrating the first birthday of the app “50 things to do before you are 5”, on Saturday 15th April, from 10.00am to 12.30 at Millbrook Park Pavilion.

All families with young children are welcome to join us in this celebration.

We are delighted with the success of the app in Jersey, with currently 1500 free downloads. The app provides a universal offer to help families develop their home learning environment, suggesting a wide range of low cost and no cost activities, including local links, top tips and signposting to island events.

The 50 things approach supports early language and literacy, motor skills, and resilience. As a result, children thrive cognitively, physically, and emotionally. Building firm foundations to make sense of and manage new experiences.

The event will include free stalls and activities from representatives from the Early Years sector offering exciting activities from the app, such as bubble blowing, sing & sign, sensory play, stories and poems, den building, water play, face painting, bug hunting, forest school activities, live theatre & music, and more.

We have 300 free goodie bags to give away to children attending.

We would like to thank Jersey Water and Sandpiper who are generously providing water and fruit free for the occasion.

Please bring a picnic and join us!

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:

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:

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

Alternatively, we may be able to deliver the course in your setting, to all your team at the same time (we even do Saturdays!). Contact [email protected] for more info.

Sing and Sign Courses for 2023:

Sing and Sign – It’s Summer!

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

Building Blocks to Toilet Training

Presentation for Parents

Based on ERIC Charity www.eric.org.uk

We will be holding “Building Blocks’ presentations on the first Wednesday of every month, 10am-11.30am at Samares Pathways Child & Family Centre.

(Drive along the coast road and turn in at Rue De Maupertuis then left onto Les Cloches (opp. Eastern Good Companions Club) then turn left into the Samares School grounds / carpark (high fenced)

No booking required for your attendance at this session.

This information in this presentation is designed to help you support your child to acquire the pre toilet training skills needed to start their toilet training journey.

Dates for the 2023 presentations are-

5th April

3rd May

7th June

5th July

2nd August

6th September

4th October

1st November

6th December

News, Research and Training from the UK;

The Princess of Wales launches Business Taskforce for Early Childhood

Run by business, for business, the Business Taskforce, launched on 21st March, will play an essential role in The Princess of Wales’ work to transform the way in which society prioritises and supports children and the ecosystems around them in their earliest years.

You can read the Early Childhood Unit Bulletin here: Newsletter

Training opportunities include:

Meeting the Needs of Every Child

This DfE funded webinar is FREE to access and will provide Early Years Practitioners with a thorough understanding of inclusive practice for SEND in Early Years settings.

Meeting the Needs of Every Child | Nasen

Infant Mental Health Lunchtime Learning

These lunchtime learning sessions aim to provide a space for shared learning, discussion and collaboration for those working to support babies, infants and their families. Join us online to hear from services on how they are supporting positive infant mental health. Each session lasts 1 hour, with a short presentation and time for discussion and questions. Click on the links below to register.

29 March 2023, 12-1pm
The Dad’s Project: Fatherhood – Supporting mum’s mental health and ensuring their child’s socio-emotional wellbeing. Parenting NI

26 April 2023, 12-1 pm
See Hear Act: Taking a closer look at the impact of domestic abuse on early childhood. Women’s Aid Federation NI

31 May 2023, 12-1pm
The role that Registered Childminders play in the first 1001 days in a child’s life. NICMA

27 September 2023, 12-1pm
Look, Say, Sing, Play – empowering parents to change everyday moments into brain-building ones. NSPCC

25 October 2023, 12-1pm
Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) – a mental health service for parents-to-be. NSPCC

29 November 2023, 12-1pm
The Perinatal Mental Health Service – providing care to mothers who are diagnosed with moderate to severe mental health conditions – SHSCT

Supporting healthy relationships among parents with mental health difficulties: A practical guide

This practical guide has been developed to improve understanding of how risk factors among parents with mental health difficulties can impact on parental conflict and in turn on child outcomes, how to effectively engage these parents, what evidence-based support can be offered, and how to appropriately assess progress for these families.

Helping to develop language and communication skills: Tiny Happy People – free resources from the BBC:

Tiny Happy People can help you develop your child’s language and communication skills, so they get the best start in life.

We’ll show you why and how you can bond with your child, before they’re born and throughout their early lives – it’s never too early to start.

Our ideas and activities are easy to build into your daily routine. They’re quick and inspiring, but they’re also based on expert advice and evidence, and are proven to help your child’s development.

You can access Tiny Happy People here: Children’s language development and parenting advice – BBC Tiny Happy People