DfE Experts and Mentors Programme

The DfE Experts and Mentors programme  is part of the National Covid Recovery Strategy and provides free bespoke support to help meet individual settings’ needs and priorities. It includes providing leadership support and coaching, mentoring for practitioners and whole-setting support, depending on need.

The DfE Experts and Mentors Programme has been available in Bristol to support private, voluntary or independent (PVI) nursery settings, maintained nursery schools and school-based nurseries since September 2022. The programme of support was extended to childminders in April 2023.

The Local Authority are able to nominate a number of settings for support and you may be contacted by your Lead Teacher or  Childminding Support Worker to discuss this with an offer to help with completing the required ‘Request for support’ form.

There is also the opportunity for you to self-refer your setting for support.

More information about the Experts and Mentors Programme for PVI nursery settings, maintained nursery schools and school-based nurseries:

Early years settings can request the support of an expert and mentor from the programme using the application form on the Pen Green Centre website. Further information on the programme can be found on the delivery partner’s website About the Programme | Pen Green Children’s Centre

The following criteria should be considered when making a self-referral:

  • Ofsted – Your setting has received a rating of ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ in the last 3 years
  • High numbers of Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
  • High numbers of children with SEND
  • High number of children taking up the disadvantaged 2-year-old offer

You will also need to identify the types of areas that you would like support with:

  • Improving staff confidence or knowledge of the reformed Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework (EYFS)
  • Improving staff confidence or knowledge of child development
  • Support in identifying areas for development within the setting and guidance in effective action planning
  • Support in how to plan, deliver and refine effective curriculums
  • Supporting staff with Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • Supporting staff to identify children most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those with significant time out of the setting and advising how they can be best supported
  • Supporting staff to narrow the gap between the most disadvantaged children and others
  • Knowledge or advice on supporting children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
  • Knowledge or advice on supporting children with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
  • Support in how to build strong relationships with parents and carers
  • Support with prime or specific areas of learning


More information about the Childminder Mentor Programme

More information on how childminders can apply for the programme is available at childminder mentor programme.

Trained early years professionals will provide support to childminders in the roles of area lead and mentor. Area leads and mentors may support childminders to:

  • identify strengths and areas for development
  • improve your confidence in or knowledge of child development
  • implement the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
  • plan an effective curriculum
  • support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • support children with English as an additional language (EAL)
  • build strong relationships with parents and carers

Contacts

Nicola Theobald – (General and Nursery School Enquiries)

Deborah Brown – (General Enquiries)

Dawn Butler – (General Enquiries)

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