New Summer Safety Display PackWe have received a useful Summer Safety Pack from the Child Accident Prevention Trust. The pack contains important...Ofsted preparation – and beyondOur Early Years Ofsted Inspection Preparation Toolkit is now available to support settings and childminders. While it is designed...EYFS Changes Coming from September 2026The Department for Education published updated EYFS statutory frameworks taking effect from 1st September 2026. Key areas include...Thank you for engaging with Step into SchoolsA huge thank you to all settings that have engaged with the Step into Schools digital platform to support children and families...Out and about in LewishamThere are lots of family-friendly activities available across Lewisham during the summer holidays. Including summer activities and story sessions in local libraries...Moving the Box Project launches in LewishamThis week saw the launch of the Moving the Box Programme in Lewisham, a professional development initiative designed to...Home Learning Environment (HLE) – Ideas and information that can be shared with your families The summer break offers wonderful opportunities for children to learn, explore...Balancing screen timeThe updated EYFS framework highlights the importance of providers having regard to children's screen use and its potential impact on children's screen use...Updated Statement on Floor Beds and CoraclesMinister Bailey sent a letter in March 2026 setting out proposed revised safer sleep requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage...Story Telling by Laura Henry-Allain MBE at Horniman Museum Join the award-winning author Laura Henry-Allain MBE behind JoJo and Gran Gran for a special...Sydenham's Big Cat Safari Walkabout Theatre ShowThis free event for all ages is funded by the Postcode Society Trust, and supported by Kirkdale Bookshop, SYDENHAM'S BIG CAT SAFARI...Making it REAL Introductory TrainingJoin us for this one-day Making it REAL (MIR) training and discover practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen...Important information about measles in South East LondonLewisham Council is working with closely with other South East London councils, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA)...🌟 Introducing the Lewisham Early Years Members’ Area 🌟We’re pleased to introduce you to the Lewisham Early Years Members’ Area - a secure, dedicated space created exclusively...Benefits Of Taking Lewisham2'sOffering 15-hour funded places for two‑year‑olds can be a rewarding and sustainable part of your early years business model. Many providers...Looking After Children and Those in Early Years Settings During Hot WeatherWith heatwaves now becoming more frequent and lasting longer, please see government guidance on supporting..Lewisham Best Start Family Hubs At Best Start Family Hubs, our mission is to provide the right help, in the right place, at the right time. We offer support to all families...Lewisham Early Years Summer Term 2026 Training Our Lewisham Early Years training for Summer term 2026 is now available to book. Please note - more sessions will be added and we...SEND updates - Using the Assess–Plan–Do–Review CycleThe Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle (graduated approach) supports practitioners to respond to children’s needs in a structured...Transitioning into Primary School - Step into School 2026As we approach the period when children begin their transition to primary school, we know many of you will already be...Best Start Family Hubs Videos A new series of short videos celebrating the work taking place across our eight Best Start Family Hubs. Each video features families from our local...Key 2026 Sustainability UpdatesEarly years settings are expected to formally prioritise sustainability, with a key requirement being the appointment of a dedicated... New! Lewisham Early Years Virtual Library Now LiveWe’re excited to launch the Lewisham Early Years Virtual LibraryBan on wet wipes containing plasticA UK-wide ban on the sale and use of wet wipes containing plastic is being introduced.New screen time guidance for early years childrenThe DfE has released updated national guidance on screen time for children aged 0–5.Best Start Local Plan (2026–2029) – Implications for early yearsLewisham’s new Best Start Local Plan outlines priorities for babies, young children and familiesWorking Within Ordinarily Available ProvisionOrdinarily Available Provision (OAP) describes the high-quality inclusive practice that should be in place for all children. Childminders: Making the Most of Being OutdoorsFor childminders, the outdoors isn’t just an optional extra — it’s one of the richest, most flexible learning environments available.Early Entitlement - Age criteriaUnder 2s Working Parent Entitlement - Up to 30 funded hours per week are available to children from the term after their 9th month birthday (or ‘the term after they turn 9 months’)Important Information for early years, parents and carers regarding meningococcal diseaseOn Saturday, the UKHSA published Information for education settings in England regarding the meningococcal disease outbreakUpdated Parental Declaration – Please Use the New FormThe Parental Declaration form has now been updated and must be used for all new parents/carers going forward.Spotlight on Early Reading: Guidance from the National Literacy TrustThe National Literacy Trust has recently shared updated practitioner guidance on supporting reading in the early years,Makaton Early Years Virtual Taster SessionMakaton Taster sessions are designed to provide general information about Makaton and how it can help develop language and communication skills.Ideas for using your SEN Inclusion FundingThe Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF) is designed to help settings include children with additional needs within high‑quality, inclusive early education.The Maths Champions ProgrammeThe Maths Champions programme is a national early years initiative developed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to strengthen the quality of mathematics...Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving - February 2026The Department for Education has published the schools white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving.Hourly Rates From April 2026At the end of December the DfE confirmed the overall hourly rates that Lewisham will receive for the delivery of the full range of EY entitlements.SEND training offer - released 16th January 2026See all details here...Join Our Lewisham Early Years PVI and Childminder WhatsApp CommunityWe are excited to announce that the Lewisham Early Years Service has set up a WhatsApp Community to share relevant...The Best Start in Life Campaign We are pleased to share with you the launch of the new Best Start in Life campaign along with the new tool kit which can be used to support the campaign. The campaign aims to increase...Changes to Lewisham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Families First Contact Point (FFCP)MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) used to be the name for Lewisham’s central point of contact for concerns...Changes to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Safeguarding Requirements: September 2025During the summer we informed you of the new changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) safeguarding requirements...Updated Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Early Years Team and Complex Needs & Feeding Team Referral FormPlease see a message below from Michelle, Advance Speech & Language Therapist...Lewisham Family Hubs - Parenting ProgrammesWe want to share the following documents below from Lewisham Family Hubs about the parenting programmes on offer for parents and carers living...New Disability Guidance and Training for Early Years Providers On Tuesday 8th July 2025, the Council for Disabled Children published guidance and training designed to support all those working in the early years in understanding...Updated Easy Explainer: Early Years Funding RatesThe Department for Education has updated the Easy Explainer: Early Years Funding Rates which is designed to support providers to understand the early years funding system...