Early Years Essential 6 October 2026 |
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This Early Years Essential (EYE) newsletter brings together local and national updates to support settings in Milton Keynes.
We hope you continue to find the EYE useful. If you have any feedback – please let us know. |
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Early Years Webinar - EYFS Updates and Safer Sleeping
On 13 July 2026 the Government published the updated EYFS frameworks for childminders and group and school-based providers, which apply from 1 September 2026.
The updates include: • Safer sleep requirements • Banned dog breeds • Requirements of providers to inform Ofsted or childminder agency (CMA) of allegations of ‘harm’ (instead of ‘serious harm’) by anyone living, working, or looking after children at the premises • Requirements of enhanced criminal records checks for volunteers (including those who are supervised) • Requirements for what providers must tell staff they have to disclose, as part of information that may affect their suitability to work with children
We are holding a webinar to discuss these changes: Safer Sleep & EYFS updates: Wednesday 14th October 4-5pm
To book at place, please contact Jenny Bargrove on Jennifer.Bargrove@milton-keynes.gov.uk |
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SEND Update
Our first Early Years SenCo meeting of 2026-27 is on Thursday October 15th 5-6pm. Look out for your Teams invite and please join us so we can share an update around the ways we are implementing the SEND Reform Plan within MK.
We would like to draw your attention to some CPD opportunities that are coming up locally, delivered by the SEND Partnership:
Using and Developing Signing: This interactive one day course will give you confidence to use Signalong signs to develop language and communication skills; supporting children and young people to use signing effectively. Book your place by contacting cnw-tr.sltmkservice@nhs.net.
Early Years Communication - This is a free online training course over two sessions where you will develop your knowledge of Speech Language and Communication Needs milestones for young children and consider strategies to support children. Book by contacting cnw-tr.sltmkservice@nhs.net.
We have organised an opportunity for providers to share their work so far with embedding Ordinarily Available Provision within their settings. It is a chance to learn from one another and hear about some great practice. Please join us on Wednesday November 11th at 10am on Teams. Booking information is available through Centralised training for professionals | Milton Keynes City Council.
Nationally, Down Syndrome UK are also offering CPD to Early Years providers and schools. More information is available: Early Years Development Programme - Down Syndrome UK.
Finally, we would like to hear your views on the other types of learning opportunities we could deliver this year. Please take a short time to complete this survey: Early Year's Centralised training offer for 2026-2027 – Fill in form. |
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Formative Assessment Training - Reminder
We would like to invite schools and settings to our session about formative assessment in the early years, where we will find out about what formative assessment is and how we can ensure observations are purposeful.
We will run the session twice on 15th October 2026 from 1.30pm-3pm and 4pm-5.30pm at Southwood School, Bryony Place, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, MK14 7AR.
Spaces are limited so please reserve your space as soon as possible. Please email Jenny Bargrove at Jennifer.Bargrove@milton-keynes.gov.uk to book a space. |
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Dfe Training Resources
Last week, the DfE released their initial training resources for education settings to use during their own in-house training sessions. There is a list which highlights the training packages that will be released over the coming months, as well as what has just been released. These training materials are designed to help teachers and teaching assistants to improve learning outcomes for all Children and Young People, including those with SEND. |
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Safeguarding information
The DfE have produced some useful information and advice on their Help for Providers web page in relation to Safeguarding. There is also a link to Safeguarding training, which is free, very informative and is useful training for all staff to complete. |
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