Useful Information

Minimum Standards for non registered creches New

Access to suitable and affordable childcare is one of  the biggest barriers to accessing support, attending a parenting support programme or family learning course; as a result the provision of a crèche is likely to increase the number of participants in a parent or family focused activity. As the safety of children is paramount a document outlining the minimum standards for the provision of non-registered crèches in Hertfordshire for children aged 0 – 8 years has been compiled, and replaces all previous versions. This document complements existing commissioning toolkits for Schools and Children’s Centres and is intended as a reference for both service providers and service commissioners and will protect both service providers and users in the following ways:

• service users: children and parents
  • safeguarding the welfare of children
  • identifying where there is provision of good quality non-registered crèche provision
    
• service providers
  • raising awareness regarding best practice
  • receiving appropriate support in adapting practice to meet guidelines

For more information and to view the document follow this link:

• Word 2003, 942kb/10 pages, 23/03/2011, min_standard_nonreg_creche.doc

Staff name badges New

Please complete this new form for all new staff name badge requests.

• Word 2003, 57kb/1 page, 23/03/2011, badge_order_form.doc

Safe use of the internet

Advice for professionals who work with children, when using any form of ICT, including the Internet

• Adobe pdf, 50kb/2 pages, 10/02/2011, usingtheinternet.pdf

Good practice - Extended schools team building project

Churchgate and Cheshunt extended schools consortiums recently ran a successful Team Building Project with hard to reach young people, and wish to share this example of good practice with other extended schools.

Based on a 2009 pilot project, the 5 day residential involved Year 10 students from four consortium secondary schools. The students selected were those with low attendance, low confidence, and low self esteem. The aim and objective was for students to improve on many skills including self-reliance and teamwork and to gain an understanding of basic navigation and craft skills. Staff witnessed a significant improvement in the young people’s confidence, outlook, self esteem and attitude toward each other and it is planned to run the project again in 2011.

“It has been a privilege to work closely with the young people representing the local community, not only was it a life changing experience for all involved, it was also an inspiration for all staff who attended the project.”

Pete Maiden, Assistant Head Extended Services, Cheshunt Extended Schools.

Two evaluation reports from the April to June 2010 project are available to view and download:

• Adobe pdf, 1.MB/5 pages, 14/10/2010, es_team_building_project_goodpractice_2010.pdf

Appendix 2

• Adobe pdf, 23kb/4 pages, 14/10/2010, es_team_building_project_goodpractice_2010_appendix2.pdf

Budget preparation

Information and guidance from the Schools Funding Unit on budget preparation for Extended Schools hubs 2010-11, can be found on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning website at:

• www.thegrid.org.uk/info/sfu/publications.shtml
  

Extended schools moderation tool

The extended schools moderation tool aims to help schools clarify and interpret the national Full Core Offer requirements for extended services to meet the needs of the children, young people and their families in Hertfordshire. It is a useful tool that enables Hub schools and Escos to regularly update information to report progress in meeting their national and county targets.

• Word 2003, 369kb/21 pages, 14/08/2009, moderation_tool.doc

Starting up a breakfast club at your school

Guidance is available on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning on what is involved in setting up a Breakfast Club in your school including the structure your club could take, how to establish a need for your club, staffing and funding Young in Herts can offer you.

• www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/extendedschools/breakfast.shtml

Extended schools funding model

Budgets for extended schools have been allocated for 2008-2011. The funding and funding formula for all consortia can be found on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning.:

• www.thegrid.org.uk/leadership/extendedschools/index.shtml#budget