

SCA - Suffolk Childcare Agency
The government first muted the idea of childminder agencies back in 2014 and we were one of the first to be registered in 2016. We offer an alternative to registering with Ofsted; we believe a much better alternative, but we would say that!
All our childminders are self-employed but sit under our overarching umbrella. We provide support, guidance and training, and we inspect them on a yearly basis. We work nationally and although some of our work is online, we still physically visit the premises of the childminder at least once a year.
WHEN TO CONTACT US
ABOUT YOUR CHILDMINDER
All communications need to go via your childminder, it is only if you have an unresolved issue or a complaint (or compliment) about your childminder that you should contact us. Please use the email hello@scachildcare.co.uk
If you wish to see the inspection report for your childminder, please find them on the SCA website and click through to their profile: https://scachildcare.co.uk/our-childminders/
NB: New Childminders are inspected anytime within their first year so this may not be visible at present.
This newsletter is for all parents whose child is being cared for by an SCA-registered childminder. For those parents who are new to childcare with SCA, Welcome! This newsletter is our way of reaching out to say hello and tell you a bit about ourselves.
Are you keen to understand how well your child is developing? Action for Children has produced a booklet which provides you with this information; you can download it as a PDF from here.
They also detail the stages of development filtered by age and topic: Development Stages
The two-year progress check is an opportunity for parents, guardians, carers and professionals to come together and collaboratively review where a child is on their learning journey. It identifies their strengths, interests, and any further support or intervention required. You may also be aware that your health visitor will do a health check around the age of 2 years and 4 months for your child creating an integrated review of both EYFS progress and health for your child.
Guidance for Parents on 2-Year Checks - This link provides lots of useful information for parents to read to understand more about the importance of 2-year checks.
Monday 1st July - National Doctor's Day
Thursday 4th July - General Election Day, Independence Day (USA)
Sunday 7th July - World Chocolate Day - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-ever- chocolate-brownies-recipe
Tuesday 16th July - Disability Awareness DayWednesday 17th July - Ice Cream Day! https://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/ice- cream-coloring-pages.html
Friday 19th July - School Holidays Begin (Approx)Friday 26th July - Sunday 11th August - Summer Olympics https://planbee.com/ collections/olympics-resources
Sunday 28th July - National Parent Day
Tuesday 30th July - International Day of FriendshipTuesday 6th August - National Hiroshima Peace Day - https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/ hiroshima-peace-dayMonday 12th August - National Elephant Day https://www.teacherdirect.com/blog/ teaching-tips-more-4/free-elephant-learning-activities-for-kids-114
Monday 26th August - International Dog Day
September week beginning 2nd (approx) - School term begins
For further information on the importance of Safer Sleep and Guidance for Parents please go to:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advicehttps://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/baby-basics/newborn-and-baby-sleeping-advice- for-parents/safe-sleep-advice-for-babies/Would you like to know more about EYFS? The team at Family Corner has written a guide which you might find useful: https://www.familycorner.co.uk/parents-guide-early-years- foundation-stage-eyfs
We wanted to use this opportunity to tell you a bit more about oral health because the EYFS framework states that early years providers must promote the good oral health of children who attend their settings. The below is taken from the government website and is included so you can understand the sort of things that your childminder might be covered under this topic and why.
Oral health is important, even with baby teeth. This is because children’s baby teeth:
help them to bite and chew
support speech and language development
help them feel confident when they smile
make space for and help to guide adult teeth
Good oral health also keeps children free from toothache, infection and swollen gums.
Tooth decay is largely preventable, but it’s still a serious problem among young children. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities' oral health survey of 5-year-old children in 2022 and Public Health England's oral health survey of 3-year-old children in 2020 found that:
nearly a quarter of 5-year-olds in England have tooth decay, affecting 3 to 4 teeth on average
children from more deprived backgrounds are more likely to have tooth decay
11% of 3-year-olds in England have visible tooth decay, affecting 3 teeth on average
Here are a couple of key steps you can follow to improve your child’s oral health:
Cut down on free sugars – this includes all sugar that is added to food and drinks but can also be found in natural products such as fruit juice and smoothies
Drinking bottles and cups – for example, from 6 months old, you can offer babies drinks in open-top cups. These are cups with no lids, which spill if knocked over. These cups can help children develop their sipping skills. This strengthens their facial muscles, which helps them to bite, chew and talk
Brushing teeth – as soon as a child’s teeth start to come through, they are ready to start brushingThere are lots of resources online should you wish to do some more research, here is just one: https://www.bspd.co.uk/Kidsvids 

Families entitled to Funding support
The government currently funds the following early years entitlements for parents of young children:
15 hours funded from 9 months old for working parents from September 2024
Families receiving some additional forms of government support, such as certain benefits or credits, may be eligible to access 15 hours of childcare for their 2-year-old
All parents of 3 and 4 year-olds can access 15 hours of childcare per week, regardless of their immigration status or whether they are working
Eligible working parents of 3 and 4 year-olds can access an additional 15 hours of childcare, known as the ‘30 Hours’ entitlement
At the Spring Budget 2023, the Government announced that funded childcare will be expanded to working parents of eligible children over the age of nine months. Changes will start from April 2024.
The Government are introducing the expansion gradually, to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. The changes are set out below:
From April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week
From September 2024, working parents of children from the age of 9 months will be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week
From September 2025, working parents of children from the age of 9 months up to school age will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare a week
Tax-Free Childcare
For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
Earning under £100k and an average of £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each over three months
Who aren't receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year
Universal Credit Support
For working families, in the UK
With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
Up to 85% of childcare costs, depending on entitlement
You are now able to easily see what additional childcare support you are entitled to over the coming months and years thanks to a new eligibility checker on childcarechoices.gov.uk
It allows you, as parents, to access personalised information on the support available to you, including which of the new childcare offers you are eligible for, depending on the age of your child and earnings.
You also have the opportunity to sign up for regular updates to ensure you are getting the support you are entitled to, as well as staying abreast of any amendments or new information.

Now could be a good time for them to consider it as the childminder start-up grants scheme will be open for applications from Thursday 30th November 2023 (and are not scheduled to close until 31st March 2025)!
Those registering with an agency (as opposed to Ofsted) will be eligible for £1200 which will be given in two instalments:
· the first £600 following registration
· the second £600 once they're operational and caring for at least one child
Use this link for more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early- education-entitlements-and-funding
We will also keep you posted as soon as we know anything.Suffolk Childcare Agency
01728 746970
High St hello@scachildcare.co.uk
Wickham Market
Woodbridge SCA is registered by OFSTED
IP13 0RD Company No 10198664