The criteria of the National Standard focus on what children and their families should expect from their ELC experience, regardless of where they access their funded entitlement.

Funding Follows the Child is ‘provider neutral’ and is underpinned by a National Standard that all settings – regardless of whether they are in the public, private or third sector, or childminders – will have to meet in order to be able to deliver funded ELC.

For families this means that they will be able to access high quality funded ELC with the provider of their choice – in the public, private, Third Sector or a childminder – if that provider meets the criteria set out in the National Standard, wishes to deliver the funded entitlement, has a space available is able to offer the funded hours in-line with their local authority’s ELC delivery plan (subject to the capacity of the setting), and is in contract with their local authority to deliver the funded hours.

This will mean that many settings will have children who may follow a blended model for their 1140 provision so there is new Highland Council guidance, Blended Placements Guidance for ELC Settings, to help support the quality of working in partnership meaning we all support families and children the best way we can.

This new guidance can also be found in the Operational Aspects page of the blog along with the Sharing Information with Blended Placement Template and the Risk Assessment Blended Placements Exemplar.

CALA will be running four virtual CPL sessions on Setting the Table next term, taking a close look at the updated 2018 version of the guidance document. During this one hour session you will:

•             Gain knowledge and understanding on key aspects of the national guidance ‘Setting the Table 2014’ Nutritional Guidance and Food Standards for early years childcare providers in Scotland.

•             Consider delivery implications of the expansion for ELC and our role in supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring no child in ELC goes hungry.

•             Raise/refresh our awareness of practical ways to implement the guidance through delivery of quality play and learning experiences.

•             Reflect on what we do now and consider further implications for practice.

The sessions will be held on the following dates and can be booked through the CPD calendar.

20^th January 2022 – 11am – 12pm           

26^th January 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm    

23^rd February 2022 – 11am – 12pm        

2^nd March 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm 

 

 

Letter to all registered childcare providers regarding Omicron Covid-19 variant

The Scottish government has issued a letter from Elanor Passmore, Deputy Director of Early Learning and Childcare, to all registered childcare providers. The letter contains an update on the Omicron Covid-19 variant and its potential impact on the childcare sector.

A letter has also been issued from Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, with an education update regarding the new Omicron variant.