31st August
EYFS Targets Frustrating, Says Study
Practitioners using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) often find assessing children's communication, language and literacy levels a cause of "tension and frustration".
A study commissioned by the former Department for Children, Schools and Families and published under the current government, found that among practitioners, there was "criticism of the levels required" by the communication, language and literacy, problem solving, and reasoning and numeracy goals.
But the Practitioners’ Experience of EYFS concluded that the framework does receive high levels of support from all practitioner groups.
The study stated: "Practitioners from different groups in the sector report very different experiences of assessing children. The tensions and pressures that assessment can create, understandably intensify as children approach the end of the foundation stage.
"For many of those working with the youngest children, assessment is clearly a pleasure and an integral part of their daily experience; for some of those working with the oldest children, the engagement with external expectations and requirements is reported to be overwhelmingly demanding."
While head teachers in primary school generally supported the benefits of the EYFS framework, the report found that some felt the level of assessment is "not yet right".
Dame Clare Tickell, chief executive of charity Action for Children, launched a consultation a month ago as part of her independent review of the EYFS.
She is examining whether there is a need for everyone to follow the same curriculum for under-fives and will also address ministerial concerns that the EYFS puts too many bureaucratic burdens on childcare providers.
Anand Shukla, business director at the childcare charity Daycare Trust, said: "The Department for Education research shows increasing numbers of providers support the EYFS.
"We acknowledge many providers find the EYFS profile a long and unwieldy assessment tool and the Tickell review provides an opportunity to improve early years assessment.
"We need much better feedback to parents too, and the single end of EYFS profile could be replaced with a short and accessible annual report to them."
source: Ben Cook, Children & Young People Now
25th August
Poorest Families Hardest Hit By 'Regressive' Budget
Poor families with children are bearing the brunt of the cuts announced in the coalition government's emergency Budget in June, according to the latest research.
A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, commissioned by the End Child Poverty Campaign, concluded that measures announced in the Budget were "regressive" as they hit the poorest hardest.
The research also found that families with children are losing out more than pensioners. In addition, the study showed that the poorest families with children lose more than any other group.
Fiona Weir, spokeswoman for End Child Poverty, said that while the coalition government had pledged to end child poverty by 2020, its cuts were hitting poorest families the hardest.
"It’s not fair that children should have to pay for the cuts and shocking that the poorest families are bearing the brunt of them," the spokeswoman added. "The spending review will need to show clearly how the government will deliver on the commitment to ending child poverty, ensuring that cuts fall on those most able to pay."
In response to the report shadow work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper attacked the government for cutting benefits that could impact upon poorer families. She said: "The Chancellor claimed his Budget didn't increase child poverty – but only because he deliberately didn't count cuts in housing benefit, disability benefits and child tax credit that hit families hard.
"The idea that the poorest families with children should end up being hit hardest is appalling and gives the lie to George Osborne’s claim it was a progressive budget."
source: Ben Cook, Children & Young People Now
24th August
Restrictions To Sure Start Threatens Social Mobility
Concern is mounting over plans to limit the reach of Sure Start children's centres, with key figures fearing the policy could have an adverse impact on social mobility.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg claimed the previous government had relied too heavily on "universal solutions" rather than targeted support, in his speech about the government's ambition to improve social mobility. His words came after Prime Minister David Cameron had claimed children's centres were dominated by "sharp-elbowed middle-classes".
But Oxford University research fellow Naomi Eisenstadt, former director of the government's Sure Start unit and the first chief adviser for children's services, told CYP Now that ministers would be wrong to scrap universal Sure Start services.
"Half of the poor kids live in areas that are not poor, so to reach them we need universal services," she said. "I would want most of the money invested in the poorest areas but a general level of service that is universal, like we do for schools. Nobody questions the need for (universal) school provision but we have never come to an agreement over provision for under-fives."
Family Action's policy director Rhian Beynon said removing universal services would stigmatise families that attend children's centres and withdraw support from families as their social mobility improves. Childcare charity Daycare Trust also highlighted practical challenges in targeting Sure Start support, such as how to restrict access to families not considered disadvantaged.
Newly appointed social mobility tsar Alan Milburn published the report Unleashing Aspiration under Labour last year. He also pointed to the need for universal service, particularly in childcare, as a way of improving social mobility.
source: Ross Watson, Children & Young People Now
CWDC To Offer Flexible Training Course For Childminders And Nannies
A flexible childcare training course is set to launch next month, allowing childminders and nannies to fit studying around work.
Developed by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) in consultation with the National Childminding Association (NCMA), the course will allow for home-study, online study and class tutoring, or a combination of all three.
Ian Dalzell, NCMA's interim director of membership and professional development, said: "NCMA has worked hard to ensure that this unit meets the needs of the home-based childcare workforce.
"The course comprises seven modules and a Skills for Life assessment which NCMA feels will help registered childminders and nannies gain all the relevant knowledge they need to provide a high-quality childcare service."
It will also be offered as an optional unit of the new CWDC Level 3 diploma for the children and young people's workforce. The diploma is set to start in colleges this September and will replace existing Level 3 qualifications in early years, social care and learning development support services.
The new courses are part of the CWDC's work to rationalise and clarify qualifications under the new Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).
source: Demian Smith, Children & Young People Now
20th August
Government Outlines Plans To Tackle Dangers Posed By Legal Highs
The government plans to introduce tough new measures to combat so-called legal highs being marketed to young people.
Crime prevention minister James Brokenshire has announced proposals for a 12-month temporary ban on new substances as they emerge.
Under proposed laws, the police will be able to confiscate suspected substances and the UK Border Agency will be able to seize shipments of the drugs.
Possession of a substance under the temporary ban would not be a criminal offence but those found guilty of supply will face a prison term of up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.
Brokenshire said: "The temporary ban allows us to act straight away to stop new substances gaining a foothold in the market and help us tackle unscrupulous drug dealers trying to get round the law by peddling dangerous chemicals to young people."
The temporary ban would only be put in place following consultation with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which would then carry out a full review to decide whether the substance should be permanently banned.
If passed by parliament, the proposals could become legislation by the end of the year.
So-called legal highs such as naphyrone, mephedrone, GBL and synthetic cannabinoids have already been banned.
This latest announcement coincides with the launch of a consultation on the government’s drug strategy. Drug experts, charities and police representatives are being urged to take part ahead of the strategy’s launch later this year.
source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now
19th August
Quality Childcare Plays Key Role In Curbing Youth Crime Says Met Chief
Childcare campaigners have welcomed comments by the head of the Metropolitan Police in support of Sure Start children's centres.
Sir Paul Stephenson has highlighted the importance of good childcare in fight against youth crime
In an interview with ITV London, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said that high-quality childcare, such as schemes offered through Sure Start, were "equally important" in the fight against crime as police work.
While police work can suppress crime, he said, long-term support through initiatives like Sure Start is needed to tackle the root cause.
He said: "We need long-term activity, using the facilities that are already in place, making sure that things such as Sure Start are there and available to the right families to give them support when they need that support."
Alison Garnham, chief executive of Daycare Trust, said the charity "warmly welcomes" his comments.
She said: "There is strong evidence that investing in the early years improves children’s outcomes and it is excellent to see this recognised by such a senior public figure."
Sir Paul’s comments come a week after Prime Minister David Cameron suggested that the reach of children’s centres could be limited to the poorest families.
Garnham added: "Children benefit from mixed environments and, therefore, it is essential that Sure Start remains a universal service, accessible to all children and parents."
source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now
16th August
ChildLine Report Exposes Children's Concerns About Parents' Drinking
More than 4,000 children who rang ChildLine last year said they were worried about their parents' excessive drinking, according to the charity's latest report.
Children calling the helpline service regarding alcohol misuse were also more than three times more likely to mention suffering physical abuse than other children who called.
Between April 2008 and March 2009, ChildLine received 986 calls from children aged five to 11 concerned about their parents’ alcohol problem.
One 10-year-old girl told the helpline: "My mum drinks all the time. She leaves me alone lots of the time. I feel scared and lonely. I look after mum when she drinks and put her to bed. She shouts and hits me. I don’t want to feel pain. I want to die."
Parental drug misuse was reported as a problem in the lives of 2,284 children given ChildLine counselling.
Sue Minto, head of ChildLine, said: "The fallout from parental drug and alcohol abuse is a ticking timebomb in many children’s lives. It’s vital these children are helped before lasting damage occurs.
"Children living with parental alcohol and drug problems are at more risk of harm and we need to find ways of helping them sooner. But we must also remember they can be fiercely protective of their parents. These children desperately need help to tackle their problems but feel they have no one to turn to. So they often end up caring for their siblings and even their own parents by themselves."
source: Janaki Mahadevan, Children & Young People Now
12th August
4Children Urges Cameron Not To Limit Reach Of Sure Start Services
Children's charity 4Children has urged Prime Minister David Cameron not to deny middle-class families of Sure Start services as he considers what to cut in the autumn spending review.
Cameron: has suggested well-off families should stop using Sure Start centres
In a question-and-answer session in Manchester yesterday, Cameron suggested that Sure Start services were being overrun by the "sharp-elbowed middle-classes".
"We've got to make sure we're focusing on the people who need help the most," he said. "Criticism of Sure Start is that the sharp-elbowed middle-classes get in there. We need to find those who are hard to reach."
But 4Children’s director of public affairs Claire McCarthy said that Sure Start services must continue to be offered universally, as they were originally intended.
"We agree with David Cameron that children's centres must do all they can to reach out to families who would benefit most from their services. Increasingly they are doing this, as outreach has been prioritised," she said. "But there are strong benefits to maintaining the universal base for Sure Start and 4Children is making this argument to government in the run up to the spending review."
Cameron also defended local cuts to Connexions services, claiming that it "tries to do too many things" and called for a "more independent careers advice within schools".
source: Ross Watson, Children & Young People Now
11th August
Government Resurrects CWDC Early Years Graduate Scheme
The government has relaunched a pilot scheme to attract top graduates to the early years workforce, under the banner of New Leaders in Early Years.
The three-year pilot — run by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) — will see 60 graduates who have achieved at least a 2:1 degree, train for two years, gaining Early Years Professional Status and a Masters qualification.
The same programme was launched by the CWDC in February, based on the Teach First programme, which attracts top graduates into teaching. It was called Early Years First. But a general election was called before CWDC had contracted anyone to deliver the scheme – originally due to start in autumn.
The rebadged scheme will be delivered by Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, beginning in November with 30 graduates. A further 30 graduates will be recruited in autumn 2011.
Children’s minister Sarah Teather said: "New Leaders in Early Years will help to raise the profile and status of those working with young children, which is crucial to giving every child the opportunity and confidence to grow and achieve in life. I hope that talented and committed men and women will sign up to be a part of this exciting new opportunity."
Graduates receive mentoring and financial support over the two years, with tuition fees covered as part of the programme. In addition, participants will receive a bursary of £8,000 in the first year, which also involves extensive placements. In the second year, participants will be in a working role and completing their Masters, during which time they will be receiving a wage of around £17,000.
source: Ross Watson, Children & Young People Now
Government Clarifies Ban On Every Child Matters
The Department for Education (DfE) has moved to allay fears that a ban on the use of the phrase Every Child Matters in the new government signals a shift in policy for children and young people.
Details of the changes in terminology are revealed in an internal DfE memo, split into two columns for words used before 11 May (when the coalition took office) and those with which they should be replaced.
Key changes to phrases in the children's sector include the replacement of safeguarding with child protection, children's trusts with "local areas, better, fairer, services'" and using the term "help children achieve more" in place of Every Child Matters or the five outcomes.
John Chowcat, general secretary of children's services union Aspect, said he fears the change in language represents a gradual move away from the Every Child Matters agenda by the government. "I could not imagine this government making a bold announcement to the effect that Every Child Matters has gone or anything like that," he said.
"The impact that would have in terms of demoralising the children's workforce would be significant, but I can see a step-by-step shifting of the approach to the agenda. Although this change may be to do with language alone, what is happening suggests we need to be careful about the future of Every Child Matters."
Wes Cuell, NSPCC director of services for children and families, said: "We hope the coalition will continue to work for better outcomes for children. We are not bothered about the terminology as long as it stays committed to better outcomes. Any signs it is not would be a big issue."
Anne Longfield, 4Children chief executive, said she is confident the principles will continue to be followed on the ground. "The principles of Every Child Matters are observed in the field and people will continue to use those approaches even if they might not refer to it in the same way."
The government has denied that changes to terminology outlined in the document indicate a change of policy direction. "There is no lack of focus on Every Child Matters," a DfE spokesman said. "The coalition created the new DfE to carry through radical reforms in schools, early years and child protection.
source: Neil Puffet, Children & Young People Now
6th August
Seaside In The City On The Horizon
Wakefield city centre's cathedral precinct will be transformed into an exciting seaside environment for children and families to enjoy on Saturday August 14 from 10am to 4pm.
The event, organised by Wakefield Council, will include sand sculpture company ‘Sand in your Eye’ who have created sand sculptures around the globe in places like Finland, Portugal and Bulgaria. They will be creating a unique sand sculpture along with workshops for children, to inspire budding artists to build their own sand sculptures.
Cllr Glen Burton, the Council’s Cabinet Assistant for Tourism, said “Seaside in the City will be a great day out for families with lots of activities for everyone to enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing these fabulous sand sculptures and castles created by our talented young people. Hopefully this might inspire a few budding artists to visit the district’s new gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield, during special open days with their families over the summer months.”
Children can also enter the ‘Trinity Walk Sand Castle Building Competition’ – sponsored by Trinity Walk, Wakefield’s new city centre shopping centre, which is due to open in spring 2011 – to have the chance to win their very own sandpit.
Chris Geaves, Director at Sovereign Land – joint developer and development manager at Trinity Walk – added: “Anyone looking at the Trinity Walk site will see that construction has been flying ahead in recent months, so it’s great to be able to offer the city’s kids a chance to do their own bit of building – albeit on a smaller scale! With less than a year to go until the centre opens we’re looking forward to getting to know Wakefield even better at events like this.”
Other activities at Seaside in the City include donkey rides, face painting, puppet shows, bouncy castles and live entertainment from a steel band.
For more information about events in the district contact Wakefield Tourist Information Centre on 0845 601 8353 or visit www.experiencewakefield.co.uk
source: Wakefield MDC
3rd August
All Play In Wakefield For National Play Day
Free activities for children in Wakefield are being set up to celebrate National Play Day.
Wakefield’s Play Day event this year takes place on Wednesday August 4 at Thornes Park, Wakefield. It’s free to attend and there’s no need to book as children can register on the day.
All the activities provided on the day will be free, last year more than 2,000 children took part and we’re hoping this year will be even bigger.
Along with other smaller events across the district, the day’s being organised by Wakefield Council’s childcare department who’ve joined up with other organisations from the district to make the day special.
Cllr Pat Garbutt, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The National Play Day event will help hundreds, if not thousands, of children from across Wakefield district enjoy a great day out of play at this exciting free event. We want to encourage children to join in with community events so that they can get to know each other and the project will also bring huge benefits to their health.”
There’ll be a trampoline, a giant inflatable slide and a mobile skate rink for the children to use which is provided by one of Wakefield's Big Lottery Project 'Go Play'. Wakefield and District Housing will be running a beat the goalie competition and the Council’s fostering team will be providing Henna hand painting.
Wakefield Council will be running other activities like arts and crafts, dressing up and – a popular activity from last year – the straw bales.
Other departments from the Council will be there, including the libraries mobile van, the neighbourhood patrollers and dog wardens and the waste recycling services. Joining them to help make the day a success will also be St George's Healthy Living and Mobile Archery.
source: Wakefield MDC
Consultation Launched To Inform EYFS Review
Dame Clare Tickell has launched a consultation on her independent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Early years professionals and parents are being urged to respond to the review, which covers issues of regulation, curriculum, children’s welfare and whether early-years-age children should be formally assessed.
Tickell said: "I particularly want to hear from those who are delivering the EYFS on a regular basis and can advise on where we could make improvements. These views will help shape the future of the EYFS and will be invaluable in helping me to identify the best parts as well as the parts that may have to change."
Play sector organisations are also urging those in the sector to respond.
Shelly Newstead, managing director of play sector social enterprise Common Threads, said this was a chance to promote the importance of "free play in children’s lives".
She said: "Research has shown that today’s children are less easily able to play outside and are, therefore, more likely to spend the majority of their time being supervised by adults. This can result in children’s play being changed or curtailed to suit adult ideas and ideals about what constitutes good play."
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said: "We would encourage nurseries to also tell parents about the review, as it is vital that responses are as representative as possible."
She is pleased that the consultation focuses on reviewing the EYFS rather than suggesting it should be scrapped.
"We still believe that it is important that childcare providers follow one single framework to ensure high quality and a level playing field," Tanuku added.
The consultation closes on 30 September and a final report will be produced by Tickell in spring 2011. It is hoped that any changes will be put in place by September 2012.
source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now