Sheffield Childcare

This section is for the use of any childcare provider across Sheffield, we hope the information here will be useful and keep you up to date with the latest news.  Should you wish to add anything here or amend any information please contact us.  We would welcome your comments and / or suggestions to make this page work for you.

Business Support

The childcare team within SCEDU has over 14 years of experience in providing business support to nurseries, pre school's and more recently childminders.  Our expertise in setting up or expansion of childcare settings has assisted many providers across Sheffield to increase childcare places, become self sustainable and achieve stability.

If you are a childcare business and feel you would benefit from an advisor contacting you to discuss your needs please contact us.

 

Questionnaire

If you have recently been contacted by SCEDU for feedback on the support we offered, please feel free to download a questionnaire here and return via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Toolkits

SCEDU, inconjunction with The Sheffield City Council, have developed 2 toolkit CD Roms, one for childcare providers such as nursery, out of school clubs and pre school's, the other our most recent addition is a Childminder Development Toolkit.

The Childminder Development Toolkit offers practical advice, business tools such as cash flowSCC sheets, registers and blank forms.  At present free training and support is included for all Sheffield based Childminders.  A free copy of the Childminder Development Toolkit is included with the training.  To book your place on one of these free sessions please contact your local Childminding Team on 0114 2811881.

To find out more on either of the above CD Roms see our Toolkits Page.

 

Events

Free Fire Training DVD

SCEDU have a DVD which covers all aspects of fire safety training.  The DVD's are free to borrow.

The DVD is a quick and easy way to train all your staff and volunteers on fire safety - it includes:-

  • Introduction to Fire safety
  • Fire Prevention
  • Extinguishing Fires at Work
  • Fire Evacuation

'A complete fire safety video training programme for staff'

If you would like to hire the DVD, to ensure all staff in your setting are aware of fire procedures and hazards, please contact Millie Grubb on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0114 2812222.

Training from NCB (National Children's Bureau)

Title: Wellbeing from Birth
Date: 22 October, London
Find out strategies to support life-long wellbeing and resilience by transforming the situations and experiences of babies and young children in their everyday lives.

Title: Involving Disabled Children in Planning and Reviews
Date: 5 October, London
Essential for everyone working with disabled children, this always popular course explores practical ways to address the communication barriers faced by practitioners and managers when trying to engage disabled children.
NCB Member discount
NCB members receive a 15% discount from the registration fee for these training courses.

Title: Developing Mentoring Practice in Early Years and Playwork
Dates:14 October, Birmingham OR 10 February 2011, Manchester

Explore the theory around mentoring practice and how to use reflection, learning and action to develop the necessary skills to mentor successfully.

Course objectives
Find out the values and principles underpinning the mentor role
Identify and practice the skills involved in mentoring and make the link to skills used in other roles
Discuss some of the problems that mentors face and learn about a range of tools and solutions to tackle them
Create an action plan for future learning.

Who should attend? 
This training is relevant to local authority staff working within children's services and play work, as well as mentors working in the voluntary and community sector.

For more information, visit www.ncb.org.uk/training, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone on 020 7843 6084.

Training Dates through Early Education

Costs are £5 for members and £10 for non-members

Contact: c/o 50 Hunter House Road, Hunters Bar, Sheffield S11 8TW to book your place 

Communication Friendly Spaces: Developing a child centred approach in Year 1

Date: 23rd September      5pm-7pm

Venue: Stannington Infant Schools, Stannington Road, Sheffield, S6 6AN

 

News

Together For Families Newsletter

The Tenth issue of the newsletter can be downloaded here .  This newsletter is intended to keep providers and partners up to date with all the latest developments within the early years and childcare sector.  If you have any ideas for future articles within this publications please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ofsted - www.ofsted.co.uk

Ofsted News - For up to date information on what is happening at Ofsted click here.

Ofsted's telephone number has changed for parents to contact them.  This new telephone number should be given out to all parents, new and existing.  Contact Ofsted for more information.

The new number is: 0300 123 1231

A factsheet which sets out Ofsted’s position on using existing Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks, including whether providers should employ someone before they have obtained a CRB check. Download here.

Sheffield Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection Training Pathway 2009-10

  • On-line induction training for all Sheffield Early Years staff
  • Introduction, Advanced and Mulit-agency Safeguarding and Child Protection training available for targeted Early Years professionals in Sheffield
  • Pathway document available to download on the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board website.
  • www.safeguardingsheffieldchildren.org.uk

School Admission

There are some changes coming in to effect as to how and when children are admitted to schools.  Parents will be given more choice and all childcare providers should know what these changes are and understand how it could affect your business.

  • All children can start school from the September after their 4th birthday under proposed changes coming in to force from 2011.
  • The Governement will allocate up to £80m in funding to offer full and part-time schooling.
  • Parents are set to have greater flexibility over choosing when their 4 year old starts primary school in the Reception class.
  • The revised School Admissions Code will come into force in February 2010 and apply to admission arrangments from 2011.

For more information look on the DFSC website, link below.

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/sacode/

 

FAQ’s
 
Q. I’m a parent moving in to Sheffield, where do I find details of all childcare
providers?
A. Sheffield Information Link provide the most up to date information on
childcare providers across Sheffield.  www.sheffinfolink.org.uk or telephone
0114 275 6699.
 
Q. I’m thinking of becoming a childminder, where do I go for help?
A. Your Childminding Team will give you all the necessary information, contact them on 0114 2506762.

Q. What do I do if I have concerns about a child I'm working with?
A. You can contact the Safeguarding Children Advisory Service.  0114 2053535 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Q.  I’m an existing childminder, is there someone in my area who can support me
from the Childminding Team?
A. Childminding Team Contact Details – 0114 2506762 or click on the link below.

www.sheffield.gov.uk/childminding

Q. What training is offered for Childminders in Sheffield?
A. A full training plan is organised via The Sheffield City Council, for more information contact the Childminding Team on 0114 2506762.

Q. I own an out of school club in Sheffield, where do I go for help and advice?
A. The Sheffield Out of School Network offer support and help to all out of school providers in Sheffield. www.osn.org.uk or tel: 0114 2494941.

Q. What qualifications and / or training do I need to have before I become a
childminder?
A. All Council's have specific requirements and Sheffield has a training programme for all new childminders.  Contact the Childminding Team on 0114 2506762

Q. I'm thinking of setting up a nursery in Sheffield, where can I get help?
A. You should contact the Sheffield City Council (www.sheffield.gov.uk) who will be able to give you guidance on where the areas most in need of childcare are across the City.  SCEDU can also offer support and guidance in setting up a childcare provision. 

Alternatively you can purchase a Childcare Development Toolkit from our online shop which gives you practical hints and tips on setting up a childcare setting.

Q. I’d like more information on the Vetting & Barring Scheme, where do I find
this?
A. The Independent Safeguarding Authority website has a wealth of information
regarding this scheme www.isa-gov.org.uk Or alternatively contact your Early
Years Childminding Team.