All children who are looked after must have a Personal Education Plan (PEP), which is reviewed three times a year.
The PEP forms part of the child’s statutory Care Plan. In the Early Years, PEPs are initiated the term after the child turns two and is attending a nursery or childminder.
Children who are looked after and are aged between three and four are eligible for the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). Those in Reception are eligible for Pupil Premium Plus (PP+). The purpose of EYPP and PP+ is to help close any gaps in attainment and to ensure accelerated progress for Children in Care compared to their peers. These funds should be used to support academic outcomes and must be agreed upon during the PEP meeting.
Designated Teachers and Key Adults
It is particularly important that each child has a specific key adult—someone they trust and with whom they can form a secure attachment. This practitioner will support both the child and the PEP process. They will carry out regular observations to understand the child’s interests, fascinations, and responses to various situations within the early years setting.
They will also help develop a Learning Journal for the child to take with them when they move on. As many Children in Care lose track of their early memories, this journal serves as a valuable keepsake they can look back on.
Getting Ready to Start School
Securing a Reception school place and planning a robust transition will be discussed during Early Years PEP meetings. Dudley Virtual School can support social workers, carers, and nursery settings throughout the school application process. Carers can access additional support on the School Admissions page.
Transitions can be particularly challenging for Children in Care, as they may face attachment difficulties when forming new relationships. While they may have developed strong bonds with trusted adults in their early years setting, they now need to build new relationships with school staff. Supporting children through this process is a shared responsibility among practitioners, families, and carers and must be treated as a key priority. In the summer term before starting reception, a Transition PEP meeting will be held and the designated teacher from the new school will also be invited to attend.
- https://startingreception.co.uk/ - For further information about how to help get ready for starting school.
Dudley Virtual School Offer
Dudley Virtual School works closely with the Integrated Early Years' Service.
The Virtual School provides the following support:
- Face-to-face training for all Early Years practitioners, delivered through the Violence Reduction Partnership, to promote a trauma-informed approach to teaching.
- Specially designed Early Years-friendly PEPs.
- Termly training for Designated Teachers (DTs) on how to complete and effectively use the Early Years PEP.