News and Events
Welcome to PATA News
The PATA Chatter newsletter is only available to PATA members, as a paper or electronic copy - download the latest PATA Chatter (members only)
July 2010
Outstanding OFSTED reports
Congratulations to Hickory Dickory's Day Nursery, Cheltenham; Broadwell & Coalway Playgroup, Forest of Dean and Tirlebrook Preschool Playgroup, Tewkesbury on achieving OUTSTANDING in their recent Ofsted inspections. What a good end to the academic year. If your setting has achieved an outstanding Ofsted report that we don't know about, please let PATA know.
EYFS is to be reviewed
On Woman's Hour on 6 July, Sarah Teather, Children's Minister, was interviewd about the review of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) she announced earlier in the day at a preschool setting in London. She spoke of the need to reduce the burden on the sector, specifically mentioning the voluntary and private sectors, and to narrow the gap in achievement between children. There is concern that the EYFS is too prescriptive and that staff need 'to do their jobs and not have to deal with unnecessary bureaucracy'. Introduced in September 2008 the review of the EYFS will be led by Dame Clare Tickell, Chief Executive of Action for Children. The report will make recommendations to be introduced in September 2012. http://www.education.gov.uk/news/news/eyfs-review
June 2010
Vetting and Barring scheme halted
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a partnership with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to form the Vetting and Barring Scheme.
On 15 June the Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced a halt to the scheme. In its recent document ‘The Coalition: Our programme for government’, the Government set out its aim to ‘review the criminal records and vetting and barring regime and scale it back to common sense levels’.
In order to deliver this promise and carry out the remodelling, the Vetting and Barring Scheme will be halted. The first phase of registration was due to commence on 26 July 2010.
Although the Scheme is halted whilst the Government undertakes its review, new safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 continue to apply. http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/
Organisations that are engaging individuals to work in regulated activities with children should continue to use their existing safeguarding practices, including the use of standard and enhanced CRB disclosures. The new CRB application form was designed to allow applications for a CRB check and ISA registration on one form. However, as a result of the Governments recent announcement to halt the launch of ISA registration phase of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme this form should only be used to apply for a CRB check. http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/
If your organisation works with children and you dismiss a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must still tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
May 2010
A lot of unexpected changes have taken place recently in the political landscape!
The website for the Department for children, schools and families http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/ now redirects you to the website of the Department for Education http://www.education.gov.uk/ which was formed on May 12th and is responsible for education and children's services. It says that "all statutory guidance and legislation linked to from this site continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise, but may not reflect current Government policy".
May 20th saw the publication of The Coalition: our programme for government.
The publication can be found on the HM Government site: http://www.hmg.gov.uk/ and is well worth a look, particularly section
3.CIVIL LIBERTIES on page 11 which mentions scrapping the Contact Point database for information sharing, but most relevant to our members, section
14. FAMILIES AND CHILDREN on page 19 & 20 where a wide range of statements are made, including paragraphs on free nursery care for pre-school children, a greater gender balance in the early years workforce, taking Sure Start back to its original purpose of early intervention and review of the criminal records and vetting and barring regime.
Watch this space!
April 2010
Congratulations to PATA member:
St Gregory's Childcare Trust who recieved and outstanding OFSTED report recently.
Reminder!
Many settings are due to renew their PATA membership by April 1st - please complete and return the forms with payment as soon as possible to ensure continuation of your benefits. Please also complete and return the annual survey questionnaire so we can compile and feedback information to you.
March 2010
What have been the issues for your group and what challenges do you face next year?
The annual survey questionnaire for PATA member playgroups, out of school clubs and private settings has recently been sent out.
Last year's survey showed that the most difficult issue for member settings in 2008/2009 related to their premises, followed by concern about finances, implementing the new Early Years Foundation Stage, then concern about keeping or finding committee members, and concern about staffing. Looking positively, other settings said they wanted to maintain their high standards.
The challenges they foresaw for this year related to retaining or appointing staff, finances, premises and low numbers of children.
When settings return this year's questionnaire we'll see if those challenges arose and what are next years' challenges.
Reminder! Many settings are due to renew their PATA membership by April 1st - please complete and return the forms with payment as soon as possible to ensure continuation of your benefits.
February 2010
Congratulations to PATA member playgroups who recently received outstanding OFSTED reports:
In Gloucester - George's in Tuffley, Beech Green in Quedgeley; in Stroud - Ridgeway in Bussage; just over the border in Worcestershire - Bredon Playgroup.
January 2010
A cold start to 2010:
Weather Related Absence from Work - SNOW & ICE!
The current snow and adverse road conditions have resulted in many settings being closed or having reduced hours. Questions arise with regard to how employers should treat time lost to bad weather. Some employees may be told that it is unpaid leave or to take it as annual leave. Some employers will require employees to make up lost hours, whilst others will simply accept the lost time and continue to pay employee as normal.
Whilst there is not a legal right to be paid if an employee cannot come into work due to bad weather, many companies do have a "Bad Weather Policy." Check if such a policy exists for your setting. If not, now would be a good time to put one in place, ready for next time.
The questions to bear in mind when deciding whether to pay your employees for time lost due to the snow are:
- Why was the setting closed? Was it premises related, e.g. no heating or lack of access to the building?
- If employees were available to work, but were unable to do so through no fault of their own, then there is a case to pay employees.
- If employees were unable to work due to dependants, e.g. children at home due to school closures or illness, you will need to follow your standard procedure for dealing with this type of absence.
- Are your employees able to make up their lost hours? Will you offer replacement sessions or are there administrative tasks they could do, for example?
Contact ACAS or your insurers for advice. Settings insured through Morton Michel have access to advice and helplines.
December 2009
Congratulations to two settings who have received outstanding OFSTED reports recently:
Dunalley Ducklings in Cheltenham
& for the second time - Amberley Playgroup - well done for their second successive outstanding report!
November 2009
NVQ Awards Ceremony
The first multimedia presentation ceremony took place on 10 November at the PATA Centre. Joe Starr, supporting PATA's IT as part of the Graduate Challenge Programme had set up a Hollywood style screen and sound presentation with the successful achievers' names appearing on the "big screen" over a musical soundtrack.
October 2009
Another plaque on the wall - PATA gains matrix standard!
PATA has been accredited with the nationally recognised quality mark for organisations which provide support to individuals to make learning and work more accessible.
The PATA Chatter newsletter (goes to all PATA members) and NVQ information were particularly noted as strengths.
September 2009
PATA Trustees
Following the AGM in July the trustees for the coming year are Jane Connolly, Chair, Mrs R Nicholls, Vice-chair, Katrin Llewellyn, Treasurer, and Sarah O'Meara, Nicki Watson, Martin Coupe and co-option Alastair Kendall.
A raffle was held at the AGM, the prize kindly donated by Morton Michel Childcare Insurance Specialists. It was won by Rebecca Wheatley, a PATA Tutor with 4 young children of her own!
July 2009
Another two outstanding OFSTED reports to end the summer term
Acorns are a small playgroup in Churcham and were delighted to be recognised as an outstanding setting in their recent Ofsted inspection. Blue Coat Pre-school Unit & Busy Bees in Wotton-under-Edge are a big setting and were also recognised as outstanding in their recent Ofsted inspection.
June 2009
Have your say - Art within the new Women's Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
We want to hear what you think. What sort of artworks and arts projects would you like to see in the centre? Do you have ideas you would like to contribute? Would you like to be involved? Do you have any comments or questions?
Join us at an informal and creative ‘drop in’ session on Friday 26th June, anytime between 10am -12pm at Redwood Education Centre, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Children are welcome and refreshments will be available.
For more details, please contact Emily Malins on 0117 924 7617 or email emily@willisnewson.co.uk
Since the change in OFSTED inspections from September 2008 we are delighted that more settings are getting Outstanding reports:
Congratulations to :
Ruardean Acorns (Forest)
Newnham Early Birds (Forest)
Down Ampney Pre-school (Cirencester)
on their all round "Outstanding" from their recent OFSTED inspections.
Joining them are:
Acorns are a small playgroup in Churcham and were delighted to be recognised as an outstanding setting in their recent Ofsted inspection.
Blue Coat Pre-school Unit & Busy Bees in Wotton-under-Edge are a big setting and were also recognised as outstanding in their recent Ofsted inspection.
Highnam Under Fives, a voluntary managed playgroup in Highnam gained all round outstanding in their recent OFSTED inspection.
Mandy Lee, playleader says "We are thrilled. The outcome is down to hard work by very dedicated, long serving staff and supportive parents and committee. The report recognised our excellent range of learning and development opportunities provided for the children in a safe, stimulating learning environment - something we hope to continue for years to come!"
Congratulations also to Land Registry Holiday Playscheme (Gloucester)
and Escapers Out of School Club (Cam) on their all round "Outstanding" from their recent OFSTED inspections
May 2009
Your training at PATA could be free!
If you live or work in the postcode areas GL1 to GL4, your training with PATA could be free or subsidised - for short courses, workshops or NVQs. These opportunities are open to volunteers, employees, those wishing to return to work or gain employment.
PATA (UK) is an approved training provider for "Gloucester Works", a partnership initiative led by Gloucestershire First to meet the developing workforce needs in Gloucester.
We can build you a training package to meet your needs, towards gaining a childcare qualification, or progress you career. Look out for more information or contact the PATA Centre on 01452 541244 or 01452 552286.
PATA Contact Details
PATA (UK) is a charitable company. Registered charity number 1124222
Registered office:
The PATA Centre,
Grange Road,
Tuffley,
Gloucester, GL4 0DJ.
01452 541244
info@pataglos.org.uk
Registered in England and Wales, company number 6541176