Training & Support

Wakefield Families Together > Early Years > Information for Practitioners > Training & Support

The Early Years Team for Schools

School Improvement EY Consultants

Our two highly qualified and experienced Early Years consultants, Janet Mitchell and Mandy Scrivens are available to support schools with all aspects of EYFS provision.

As the new EYFS framework becomes statutory from September 2021 our consultants can offer bespoke advice and support for HTs, EYFS leaders and EYFS teams and practitioners. This could include:-

Developing a unique and sequential Early Years Curriculum for your school
Developing detailed progression guidance for areas of learning
Enhancing provision areas to deliver better outcomes
Improving adult interactions to deliver better outcomes
Supporting practitioners to make confident judgements around child development
Support for developing effective assessment in the EYFS
Moderation of EYFS Profile Outcomes on request
Making effective use of “50 things to do in Wakefield before you are 5” to enhance your curriculum and improve
parental engagement
Working with school leaders to conduct a ‘deep dive’ into your EYFS to evaluate strengths and areas for development

Our consultants also deliver a comprehensive training programme across the year for Early Years leaders and practitioners. This includes:-

Termly EYFS leader networks
Area Transition Groups focussing on the new EYFS framework
Assessment training and agreement trialling in line with new requirements
Sessions focussing on particular aspects of EYFS provision
Annual EY conference

Schools which buy into the School Improvement SLA can purchase additional days of support, tailored to their needs, at the standard daily rate. The services and associated training/conference can be purchased from the Wakefield Traded Services site.

For further information contact

Janet Mitchell – Early Years Consultant
janetmitchell@wakefield.gov.uk

Mandy Scrivens – Early Years Consultant
ascrivens@wakefield.gov.uk

Tel: 01977 721506

The Early Years Team for PVI settings & Childminders

Our three highly qualified and experienced Child Development Officers, Angela Dales, Liz McLelland and Sarah Spencer, are available to support settings and childminders to meet all of the requirements of the EYFS framework effectively.

Each setting or childminder has an allocated officer who can support with:-

Getting your new childcare business established and able to meet the requirements of the EYFS framework
Developing provision to ensure that all elements of your provision are good and effective
Specific support around the Safeguarding and Welfare requirements of the EYFS
Specific support for the Learning and Development requirements of the EYFS
Support to help you to develop an ambitious EY curriculum
Support to make sure that you are ready for your next Ofsted inspection
Support to address any actions arising from an Ofsted inspection
Support to help you administer and report on the two year old progress check

Our officers can provide both telephone and face to face support. For further information or support contact EYteam@wakefield.gov.uk

Tel: 01977 723321

Quality & Improvement Network Meetings

These meetings are held each term for setting managers, leaders, owners and for childminders.

They will help you to ensure you are kept up to date and to discuss any upcoming topics or any changes to the sector that all providers need to be aware of.

Meetings each term are a 2 hour session (sometimes virtual and sometimes classroom based). Invitations are usually sent out two or three weeks before the meeting date by the Early Years Team.

QIN meetings also give you chance to network and meet other providers across Wakefield district.

Each meeting will cover a range of topics and agendas will normally be sent with each invitation. There may also be guest speakers from other agencies within the authority to share updates or useful information you may need to consider within your practice.

Following meetings you may need to consider the following:-

Whether any of your policies and procedures may need to be updated to bring them into line with any advice or updated information you have been given
You may want to record this as a part of your CPD log
You might want to cascade this information to your team or to any assistants.

Schools Early Years Support Package

We have aligned our Early Years advice and support services for schools into a package which can be purchased for an annual fee and offers great value to schools.

These services are shown below:-

The Offer

A named Early Years consultant for your school
Attendance at termly half day EYFS leader networks including a focus on the implementation of the new EYFS framework
1 day or 2 half day in school support for HT, EY leader, EY staff – bespoke to school needs (e.g. review of provision, internal moderation)
1 bespoke in school twilight training session for EY staff development to focus on school priorities e.g. new framework,
developing provision areas, outdoor learning, EY assessment or Phonics (Letters and Sounds)
Access to termly remote twilight training session for all EY staff – professional development programme for all EY staff
Half day assessment network meeting linked to new framework and one half day agreement trialling for EY staff
Early Years Conference – 50% discount per delegate

Package Price – £795

Purchasing of services individually through a Pay As You Go (PAYG) model would result in additional costs to Schools, up to a maximum of £580 (73% more) during the year.

To purchase this package please visit Early Years | Wakefield Traded Services

Useful Resources for all EY Providers

The Early Years Foundation Stage sets the standards that all early years’ providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. In Wakefield we are committed to supporting all settings to provide good or outstanding Early Years provision.

We have pulled together a range of materials which will support you in securing good or outstanding provision which can be accessed here.

If you would like more information then please contact a member of the Early Years Team.

Training Programme for Schools

Visit Training & Events | Wakefield Traded Services

Early Years - Families Information Service

Phone: 0800 587 8042

Email: information@wakefield.gov.uk