On Friday 23rd June Birmingham PlayCare Network held a network meeting for the out of school clubs in the North Birmingham District. The gathering took place at Hollyfields Sports and Conference Centre, and saw clubs from Erdington, Sutton Coldfield and Great Barr attend.
The session offered the opportunity for all settings to discuss a variety of topics and to share knowledge, good practice and practical issues from their clubs.
The 30-hour early years entitlement
The sessions, which ran from 10am till 12pm, explored the implementation of the 30-hour early years entitlement. Whilst settings were given guidance to take away and digest, providers were able to discuss what the practical implications will be, and how other clubs are considering the implementation.
Practitioners also discussed the early years heath and well being services consultation, as well as addressing clubs procedures during a lock down situation, and Early Years Foundation Stage profile examples, which is a prevent duty screening tool. Ellee Gunnell, Project Worker at Birmingham PlayCare Network highlighted how the North network meeting has grown in strength over recent months:
Settings “reaching out” to each other
“I am aware of settings that have now been to view each other’s practices following the connections that they have made after attending the network meetings, and that is lovely to see. Settings are now reaching out to each other for partnership work. After this session, two settings combined their staff team to be able to access training that they would not have been possible individually”
If you are an after school provider in Erdington, Sutton Coldfield, Great Barr or Perry Barr and wish to attend the next network meeting, or would like your details to be added to the mailing list for this group, then please let Ellee know at: Ellee@bpcn.org.uk.