Early Years Noticeboard

Download the flyer from the attachments below to be able to click on the links.

Starting in September 2025, a new funding initiative (linked to LHNF) will be trialled to support children with low and emerging SEND needs transition successfully into Reception. The funding will be allocated to pupils who have previously accessed Early Years Targeted 2 Funding. This initiative aims to ensure continued support throughout the Autumn term and help facilitate effective inclusion and enhanced provision for children with low and emerging SEND needs.

Key Details

• Start Date: September 2025
• Purpose: To enable continued support and enhanced provision for children transitioning into Reception who have previously received Targeted 2 Funding from the Early Years SEND team.
• Contact: A member of the Early Years SEND team will contact receiving settings in September to discuss transition plans and funding utilisation.

Objectives

• Support Continuity: Ensure that children who have previously accessed Targeted 2 Funding continue to receive the necessary support during their transition into Reception.
• Effective Inclusion: Settings to utilise the funding to promote effective inclusion practices, ensuring children with low and emerging SEND needs have a positive start to their school education journey.
• Successful transition: Improved engagement in learning and attendance, children making progress and settling in- supporting accurate assessment of needs and establishing APDR.

Process

1. Initial Contact: A member of the Early Years SEND team will contact all receiving settings in September to set up a brief consultation call. School staff do not need to complete an application or referral process.
2. Discussion of Transition Plans: The EYS SEND team member will confirm the pupil details and discuss the transition plans in place.
3. Funding Utilisation: Guidance will be provided on how the transition funding can be used to support effective inclusion. A plan for review and evaluation of impact will be discussed.
4. Funding allocation: Following these discussions funding will be processed and received by settings by Mid-October. The funding allocation is a one-off Autumn term payment of £1000 per child eligible.

Contact Information

For further details or inquiries, please contact the Early Years SEND Lead for your area:

North Herts and Stevenage; Laura Wilson – Laura.Wilson@hertforshire.gov.uk

Did you know you can apply to access fully funded bespoke advice and support from the REACHout early years stronger practice hub?

A supportive and friendly mentor can champion your strengths and guide you to improve. They are available to help support with a range of areas including management, SEND, behaviour, planning and more.

 To request support or find out more please visit their webpage to complete their enquiry form.  https://www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/ee/reachout-eysph-ee

https://www.hct.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people-speech-and-language-therapy

https://www.hct.nhs.uk/early-years - resources and video links

https://www.hct.nhs.uk/children-and-young-people-speech-and-language-therapy-professional

My Baby's Brain - training

What? MBB courses introduce the key principals of neuroscience and how they can help parents, children and babies form strong attachments that will encourage healthy development.

Who? These courses are for practitioners who work with children aged 0-3 years old in Hertfordshire.

Where? The MBB courses are delivered on Zoom.

Families First

Hertfordshire My Baby's Brain

Nasen is part of the DfE-funded Early Years SEND Partnership Project led by the Council for Disabled Children (CDC). The other partners are:

• Speech and Language UK
• Contact
• National Children’s Bureau (ncb)
• Dingley’s Promise

Nasen is currently working with local authorities from the nine regions across the country to develop their SEND provision at a strategic level through Regional Action Learning Sets and Specialist Action Learning Sets. Please visit Home page | Nasen for more information.

Meeting the needs of every child free CPD course

The training session will provide practitioners with a thorough understanding of inclusive practice for SEND in early years settings, including:

• responsibilities of a setting towards children with SEND 
• the role of the SENCO and the key person in PVI settings 
• the importance of the early identification of SEND 
• what effective inclusive practice looks like 
• how to develop positive relationships with parents and carers of children with SEND 
• Nasen’s free early years resources to support you in meeting the needs of all children in your setting. 

You will be emailed supportive documents before the webinar to use during the training and, on completion of an evaluation after the webinar, you will receive a certificate.

Visit events listing | Nasen to book your place for this free training.

This DfE funded online course is free to access and will provide early years practitioners with an overview and understanding of inclusive practice for SEND in early years settings. The 2-hour webinar will cover the following topics.

• What do we mean by SEND?  
• Responsibilities of a setting towards children with SEND
• The role of the SENCO and the key person
• What effective inclusive practice looks like in an early years setting
• How to use Nasen's free resources and materials

Who would benefit from this training?   

• Early years practitioners
• Childminders
• New SENCOs 

Throughout this webinar you will be invited to participate in a range of activities to support your learning.

As we near the end of the school year, we know the idea of moving to a new class or school can be a worrying time for children and their families.

To support students through this transition, BFB Labs (creators of therapeutic game: Lumi Nova, part of Hertfordshire's With Youth digital wellbeing service) are excited to share a FREE educational workshop for professionals  to self-deliver.

"Talking about Worries", explores what worries are, what they might feel like and how to overcome them one step at a time. 
Suitable for years 3-6, the session includes:

• 45 minute interactive workshop
• activities and optional print outs
• a lesson plan, and

• suggested adaptations to meet your needs.

For more information and a workshop kit, get in touch! Contact the team by emailing luminova@bfb-labs.com.

Find out more about Hertfordshire's free With Youth digital wellbeing service and Lumi Nova at: Home - WithYouth