Introduction

The Early Years Service is a team of qualified staff with a wealth of experience in early years and childcare. The focus of our service is to work with childcare providers to improve quality and outcomes for children as well as ensuring providers meet the needs of children with SEND through working in partnership, providing information, advice, support and challenge.

The support offered covers all aspects of childcare such as:

• The Early Years Statutory Framework (EYFS)
• Ofsted registration and inspection
• SEND code of practice
• Training
• Home learning
• Sufficiency
• Funding and financial management
• Governance
• Business planning

Support is tailored to encourage settings to be self-reflective and proactive in making and sustaining improvements.

Sources of support include EYFS forums which offer the opportunity to speak with team members on an individual basis, online resources and training. The Early Years team also provides a telephone helpline, fortnightly newsletter and termly leaders and managers and childminder briefings which aim to keep providers up to date with and debate national and local changes.

In some cases there may be a charge for support offered.

Specific support packages are developed for providers when there is an identified complex need or an Inadequate or Requires Improvement Ofsted inspection outcome.

If you need any immediate support, please contact the Early Years team on earlyyearsandchildcare@norfolk.gov.uk or ring 01603 222300 option 3.