Every provider is required to sign to agree to the following conditions for inclusion on to the Somerset Directory of Providers:
1 The Early Years Entitlement may be delivered by a range of providers including schools, academies, nursery classes, private and voluntary sector providers, independent schools, childminders and childminder’s registered with childminder agencies.
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2 To be eligible for inclusion, all providers must be registered with Ofsted or with the Independent School’s Inspectorate (ISI) and must be open to inspection by Ofsted or ISI as required. Whenever inspected, the provider must have been found to be delivering early years provision to the minimum level of requires improvement or above. Providers with a requires improvement outcome must commit to improve within one year or by their next inspection date, which ever is sooner (See Section 3 - 3.3).
3 Provision on domestic premises must be registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register.
4 The entitlement may be taken up by a child through more than one provider but no more than two at any one time.
5 No child should be subject to any form of corporal punishment, or be threatened in any way by any person employed by, or connected with, the provider.
6 The Early Years Entitlement must be delivered flexibly and take account of the needs of children. Providers can choose as to what proportion of their business they are prepared to offer the free entitlement.
7 Providers must be able to demonstrate that staff are appropriately qualified and experienced to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Supervisors must hold a minimum of a relevant level 3 qualification and at least 50% of the remaining staff must hold, or be working towards, a level 3 qualification recognised by the Department for Education.
8 All providers must demonstrate that they have a system of continuing professional development and training for staff and must have in place a written and current staff development plan. This must be implemented and updated regularly. All staff qualifications must be checked against the Department of Education qualification finder tool on: https://www.education.gov.uk/eypqd/qualification-search.aspx
If the qualification isn’t full and relevant, staff will need to undertake accredited training to enable your setting to comply with the qualifications requirement.
Providers may choose to undertake training that is most appropriate for their business and may wish to employ external trainers. However safeguarding training must be taken with a trainer that has been approved by the Local Authority.
9 Providers must have arrangements in place to support children with SEN or disabilities. All providers who are funded to deliver early education places must have regard to the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice and are expected to identify a SENCO. Somerset County Council advises staff to attend appropriate training.
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10 Providers must identify a practitioner to take lead responsibility for child protection and have in place and operate a written safeguarding policy, in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) guidance for day carers. They must also have regard to statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’. The Child Protection Officer should be named in the safeguarding policy and is responsible for liaison with local children’s services agencies and with the LSCB. Child protection concerns should be documented and should the child transfer to another setting or school the lead officer for child protection must liaise with the lead practitioner for child protection in the receiving setting or school
11 Providers must carry out a safeguarding audit and review this regularly.
12 Providers should have identified an Equality Needs Coordinator (ENCO) and have in place and operate a written Equal Opportunities Policy, naming their ENCO, that has due regard to legal requirements relating to equality, inclusion and racial awareness.
13 Providers must have in place written fees and admissions policies. The policies should reflect the provider’s Equal Opportunities policy and have due regard to the SEN Code of Practice.
14 Providers must regularly consult with parents/carers in their local communities and be able to demonstrate how their services meet the needs of children, the demand for places and the flexibility required by parents/carers. Evidence of these consultations may be requested by the Local Authority.
15 Providers must keep the Entitlements Team up to date with all contact details for the setting.
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Providers should keep Somerset Family Information Direct informed of childcare vacancies.
Providers must actively promote fundamental British Values and not promote views or theories as fact which are contrary to established scientific or historical evidence and explanations.
18 All providers must be able to demonstrate that they have appropriate insurances in place, for example, public liability and employers insurance.
19 It is strongly recommended that all voluntary committees/trustees take out trustees and officers’ financial liability and professional indemnity cover in addition to their public liability insurance and/or legal expenses cover.
20 Any information given to parents such as a prospectus, booklet or leaflet, must contain details regarding the Early Years Entitlement and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
21 Providers must put in place a written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and/or carers, and must keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome. Providers must report any complaints to Ofsted and the Service Manager, Early Years Commissioning, Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY.
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Providers must contact the Entitlements Team if they have exemptions from the EYFS Learning and Development requirements but wish to claim for a funded child. All providers must be registered with the Information Commissioners Office and all staff must be DBS checked.