Latest News & Blogs

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  BLOG: Raw flour update

  In June, the Food Standards Agency issued guidance regarding using flour in play activities and recommended heat treating the flour. This guidance was updated on 19 August 2024. 

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  NEWS: Supporting you to get online

  PACEY are pleased to share an opportunity for members to purchase digital devices at discounted costs.

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  NEWS: Ofsted publishes outcome of Big Listen consultation

  Today (3 September) Ofsted has published the results of its Big Listen consultation, marking the “beginning of a new chapter” and announcing several changes for the education sector. 

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  NEWS: Latest expansion of funded entitlements underway in England

  The September term brought about the government’s latest phase in expanding funded childcare and early education in England, meaning eligible families of children as young as nine months can now access up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare and early education across 38 weeks.

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  NEWS: Single headline Ofsted grades scrapped in landmark school reform

  The government pushes ahead with the reform agenda by scrapping single headline Ofsted judgements for schools with immediate effect. 

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  NEWS: PACEY Facebook page temporarily down

  PACEY's Facebook page is temporarily down. We are working to fix this as soon as possible but you can get hold of our team via phone or email. 

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  BLOG: Writing a good support plan (England)

  You have identified that one of the children you care for is currently not developing as expected. You have talked to parents, and they also have similar concerns, so you have decided to thoroughly assess their needs. This has given you a clear understanding of their strengths and the challenges they are facing. You have had a long chat with their parents and your local authority Special Educational Needs and Disability team, and you have agreed that they will need additional support through the ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’ cycle’, also known as the Graduated Approach. The next step is to develop and produce a support plan that will support them to develop and learn. 

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  NEWS: Safeguarding training in Wales/Hyfforddiant diogelu yng Nghymru

  PACEY Cymru and Children in Wales have worked in partnership to develop a package of training for the sector in line with the revised standards that meets the needs of all those working in childcare and early years settings. This bilingual training will be delivered through a blended approach of self-directed online learning and trainer led learning. 

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  NEWS: Letter from Secretary of State highlights her vision for the sector

  PACEY recently received a letter from The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education setting out her vision for the education sector and highlighting the key role childminders play.  

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  First female First Minister in Wales/ Prif Weinidog benywaidd cyntaf Cymru

  Eluned Morgan has been confirmed as Wales’ new First Minister and becomes the first female First Minister in Wales’ history. Cadarnhawyd Eluned Morgan yn Brif Weinidog newydd Cymru – y Prif Weinidog benywaidd cyntaf yn hanes y genedl.

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  BLOG: Stronger Practice Hubs- supporting your childminding assistant’s professional development

  Evidence informed practice is key to developing your service. Find out how you can get your childminding assistant involved to support their professional development. In the third of a series of three blogs we look at the work of Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs in England and the role they have to play.

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  BLOG: My experience of taking the (NPQEYL)

  In the Autumn of 2022, I started the National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL), an 18-month commitment to learning and developing my skills and knowledge.  Throughout my early years career, I have always been passionate about supporting all children to have the best start possible and have always understood that, to achieve this, children need to experience high quality provision, that is informed by current, relevant research and evidence and delivered by well qualified staff.