15/04: Updates from Ofsted & ACAS, Resources from Flamingo Chicks, St Paul’s A.P. appeal

Ofsted Updates: Childminders & registrations

(https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted)

Childminders looking after the children of key workers

Childminders and childcarers looking after the children of key workers on domestic premises can apply to work from non-domestic premises for up to 50% of their time. If you would like to do this, email your application form to regulatoryteam@ofsted.gov.uk. We will review the details and contact you as quickly as possible to discuss your request.

Closing or resigning registrations

At this time, you do not need to let us know if your early years or childcare setting is closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), whether that’s because you are not caring for any children of critical workers or vulnerable children, or because you are ill.

You should tell us if you are resigning your registration. To do this, email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk from your email address that we have on your registration and include your unique reference number (URN). You can find this on your registration, your inspection report(s), and on your setting’s Ofsted reports page.

ACAS: Webinars

You can find a recording of their most recent Coronavirus webinar event on their webinars webpage:

Acas Coronavirus advice

Live Twitter Q&A sessions
If you have questions or concerns about time off work, pay, remote working and what steps you can take to reduce the spread of the virus, you can also join Acas experts on live Twitter chats which are being run each Friday over the coming weeks.
Send your questions in advance to @acasorguk #AskAcas.
https://twitter.com/acasorguk

A reminder of guidance and updates published recently:
A summary of recent employment law changes (from April 2020)
National Minimum Wage update
New Furlough letter template available to download
New home working advice

Flamingo Chicks: dance classes to keep disabled children moving

First of its kind virtual dance classes to keep disabled children moving during lockdown!
Linked to the national curriculum for added learning.

Adaptations are provided throughout, including ways parents/carers/teachers can support children with limited mobility and ideas to translate different movements. They are also Makaton signed.

FIRST UP… SPACE THEME: watch it now!

Our first review…“There is so much online content out there BUT it is extremely hard to find physical activity resources for disabled children. I’m so pleased they now have this! I absolutely love this resource – what a fantastic way for children to get some activity and movement into their day, as well as being great fun.” Stephanie Wheen, Paediatric Physiotherapist and Gympanzees CEO.

PLEASE HELP US REACH ALL 770,000 DISABLED KIDS IN THE UK BY SHARING!
Ideal to be shown at home as well as in schools, hospitals or hospices. Here are two example social media posts:

Getting disabled kids dancing during lockdown! Free, accessible #activelearning from @flamingochicks at www.flamingochicks.org/athome #balletnotbarriers

Travel to space with @flamingochicks’ #activelearning dance classes. Designed specifically for disabled children and their families, Makaton signed and adapted for a range of abilities: www.flamingochicks.org

*Plus* resources for added learning:

• Sensory Science experiments with Dr Sarah Bearchell
• Sensory arts and crafts with Designer, Sam Williams
• Inclusion themed stories read by celebrities (with Makaton)
• Guided relaxation for parents/carers

St Paul’s Adventure Playground Appeal:

Many of you will have heard the sad news about the fire in St Paul’s Adventure Playground over the weekend.

Undaunted, the Adventure Playground team are already organising to restore the damage & come back even stronger.

A Crowdfunder page set up by one of the playgrounds young volunteers, Stan Jones, has already raised £15,413! – If you want help too the page is here:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-rebuild-st-pauls-adventure-playground

Mark Millar from TV’s DIY SOS has been on the site to help with the reconstruction efforts:

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/diy-sos-star-mark-millar-4041278