October 31, 2006

solution finder MI Report

The solution finder Management Information Report for July - September 2006 has now been published.

The report is aimed at the key partners of solution finder and provides management information based on the current capabilities of the solution finder service directory.

Click here to access the document Download file (Word document 478KB).

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 2:09 PM | Comments (0)

October 30, 2006

Children's Information Service - Enquiries

The Children's Information Service (CIS) received over 1300 enquiries to the service from July to September 2006.

For a full breakdown of enquiry information click here - Download Excel Spreadsheet (23.0KB)

Posted by Michael Hunt at 1:57 PM | Comments (0)

October 25, 2006

Draft Children's Centre Toolkit - NEW VERSION!

The Draft Children's Centre Toolkit is now available in an Adobe format.

Click here to download the latest version Download file (pdf File 333KB)

Please note that this is still in draft format and further amendments will be made.

Feel free to leave any comments or queries regarding this document.

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 8:01 AM | Comments (3)

October 23, 2006

October News Bulletin Published

The October News Bulletin has been published today.

To read the News Bulletin please click here Download Word Document (53.5KB)

Posted by Michael Hunt at 8:25 AM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2006

October News Bulletin Deadline

The deadline for copy for the October edition of the Early Years and Childcare Service News Bulletin is Monday 16 October 2006.

Suggestions for articles to be sent to Michael Hunt at michaelhunt@gateshead.gov.uk or alternatively post a comment on this Weblog.

The News Bulletin will be posted on the Weblog on Monday 23 October 2006.

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 2:14 PM | Comments (0)

October 3, 2006

Early Years SENCO Network Meeting

The next Early Years SENCO Network Meetings will be taking place on Wednesday 15 November 2006 at Dryden Professional Development Centre. This term the focus will be a Speech and Language Therapy Question Time.

For further information please click here Download file (Word Doc 44.5KB)

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 7:52 AM | Comments (0)

October 2, 2006

NDNA Launches New Sustainability Training

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) have announced they providing a series of workshops to help nurseries improve their sustainability and understand how to best tackle current market challenges.

Taking place in locations across the country, the workshops entitled 'The Changing Childcare Market - Developing Sustainable Business Strategies' will help nursery managers and owners develop strategies and ideas to create sustainable businesses.

Each workshop explores the current market and how the Childcare Act will impact on it further. The session will look at how nurseries can minimise the risks these changes could create. The workshops will also address how nurseries can create partnerships with their own local authorities to strengthen their business position. The session will also investigate how nurseries can respond to new demands and where nursery managers can access sources of business and financial support.

In addition, NDNA has also launched a new workshop for Children's Centres. 'Facilitating Integrated Working' is designed to help ensure Children's Centre managers deliver integrated services for parents and families. Each session, designed for up to 20 delegates, explores good practice in delivering integrated services and also equips managers with practical tools to address barriers to achieving this.

Patricia Jackson, Head of Regional Development at NDNA comments: "Private and voluntary nurseries are currently facing a range of challenges. However, by looking at how they can effectively address these issues, nurseries can reduce risks to their business and actually capitalise on some of the opportunities changes within the childcare
market offer. Our affordable workshops will help nursery owners and managers strengthen their business and forge genuinely strong links with their own local authority. In addition, those managing Children's Centres currently face their own challenges in terms of actually delivering integrated services. Our new workshops are an ideal way for local authorities to equip those on the ground to provide an integrated service for children and families. The market is changing, but with the right support we believe some of the current challenges facing nurseries
can actually become opportunities.‿

The 'Changing Childcare Market' workshops are available as follows in 2006: Hartlepool 17 October; Grantham 6 November; Birmingham 15 November; Widnes 21 November; Hounslow 23 November. NDNA members can
attend at the special rate of £79 per delegate, non-members can attend for £99.

The 'Facilitating Integrated Working' session is an independently facilitated workshop that can be delivered at a venue of choice for just £600 (plus expenses) This fee is for up to 20 delegates and includes manuals for each delegate, plus up to five hours post training support.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact: Hayley Doyle, Press Officer on T:0870 774 4244 M:07718 803 652 or email hayley.doyle@ndna.org.uk

Posted by Ross Glasgow at 1:25 PM | Comments (0)