News, Updates & Events

News

OSN currently has job vacancies for:

A permanent part time Business Development Officer and a temporary full time Business Development Officer (to cover a maternity leave).

Please click to view the Advert, Job Description, Application Form, Covering Letter, Part time Vacancy Summary and Full time Vacancy Summary.

Ofsted Consultations

Ofsted are currently seeking the views of all involved in childcare about the inspection of early years provision and fees for all those involved in childcare. Full details can be found on the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk and most of the consultations close during February 2008.

Consultation on fees 'Future Approach to Fees and Subsidies - this seeks views on the proposed structure and level of fees payable to Ofsted by childcare providers joining the Early Years register or the complusory part of the Ofsted Childcare Register from September 2008, as well as proposals for changes to the subsidy arrangements'.

Full details about the new fee proposals can be found here.

Consultation on inspection of early years provision - this is seeking views about online access to the self-evaluation form and on aspects of inspections of early years settings.

Inspection frameworks and new registers - Most childcare providers will be aware that the new EYFS sets the standard for care and learning for children up to the age of six. Every provider looking after this age group must join Ofsted's new Early Years Register and Ofsted are currently developing the inspection framework for this. Ofsted want your views on the proposed inspection framework for the EYFS and especially on specific areas such as proposals for inspecting.

The consultation can be found at http://live.ofsted.gov.uk/surveys/eyfs/ and runs to 1 February 2008.

Transfer to new registers - A new leaflet called 'Changes to childcare registration and inspection' Ofsted will shortly send this to all providers. Most childcare providers care for children within the EYFS age group. As the leaflet explains, they will be transferred automatically to the new Early Years Register. Ofsted will inspect every provider on this register using the new EYFS framework.

Providers who also care for older children up to eight will join the complusory part of the new Childcare Register - so they will be included on two registers. Those who care only for this age group will be transferred automatically to the new compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

Providers can choose to go on the voluntary part of the register for children over the age of eight. This allows reassurance to parents and allows those parents who are eligible to claim the childcare element of working tax credits to do so.

Ofsted will write to every registered provider explaining which registers they will be transferred to in Spring 2008.

OSN has updated its sample Child Protection Policies in line with current legislation and Safeguarding guidelines. The policies are below, in 'Updates' for you to view. Please feel free to contact the Business Development Team with any queries you may have.

OSN's Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 1st February at the Quaker Meeting House, near the Cathedral. To read the 2006 Annual Review please click here to link directly to it.

All newsletters, including back issues - can be found on the separate Network News page, click here to link directly.

Updates

NEW - Sample OSN Child Protection Policies - re written to reflect current legislation and Safeguarding principles - updated August 2007, click Child Protection Policy, Integrated Practice Policy and Allegations Against Staff Policy to view them.

Ofsted - Please remember you must notify Ofsted of any changes within your setting, including changes to:-

• Registered Person (ie - Owners, Management Committee etc..)
• Person in Charge (ie - person in charge of day to day running of setting)

Safer Recruitment and Selection Processes added 16 March 2006, click here to view.

Statement of Employment Particulars updated 8 March 2006, click here to view.

Events

OSN's AGM will be held on Thursday 7th February 2008, at the Quaker Meeting House, near the Cathedral, Sheffield City centre. Further details will be posted shortly.