Talking early years and childcare

We understand that choosing a career can be overwhelming. That's why we're here to help you navigate the many exciting options and find a path that's right for you.

Imagine the joy of watching a child discover their passion, overcome a challenge, or simply smile. Working with children is an incredibly rewarding career that allows you to make a real difference in their lives and contribute to a brighter future for our communities.

From teaching and childcare to social work and healthcare, there are numerous fulfilling career paths available. You'll develop valuable skills like patience, empathy, and creativity while supporting the growth and development of future generations.

While it can be challenging at times, the rewards of nurturing young minds and witnessing their progress are truly unparalleled.

Explore career options, find volunteer opportunities, and discover how you can make a positive impact on the lives of children. Visit our website to learn more and connect with professionals who share your passion.

Be part of something big

Working with small children is a big deal. It’s a job that makes a difference by helping to give children the best start in life.

The Talking Early Years and Childcare team is dedicated to supporting high-quality childcare across Telford and Wrekin. We work with a wide range of settings, including private, voluntary, and Council-maintained providers, to:

• Enhance Sustainability: We assist childcare providers in maintaining their operations effectively.
• Develop Expertise: We offer a variety of training programs to meet the diverse needs of childcare professionals.
• Support Childminders: We provide guidance and support to both prospective and established childminders, including pre-OFSTED inspection checks.
• Ensure Quality: We consistently monitor and support childcare providers to ensure they meet high quality standards.
• Facilitate Access: We support the delivery of funded places for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds and assist with accessing inclusion support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Improve Child Protection: We provide guidance and support related to Child Protection Awareness.
• Enhance Partnerships: We collaborate with other organizations to broker short breaks and respite care packages for families in need.
• Market Analysis: We monitor the childcare market to ensure sufficient provision for families in Telford and Wrekin.

Last updated : 13 February 2025

Essential information for childcare providers

• Visit the provider portal.
• Download the top tips for providers for early years pupil premium (EYYP).
• Download the frequently asked questions for childcare providers.

New Early Years Qualification checking service

Early years managers can now use the new Check an early years qualification digital service to quickly verify whether staff qualifications meet the requirements for staff:child ratios in England.

The new service can be accessed via the GOV.UK website.

This free GOV.​UK tool allows managers to check a qualification’s approval status by entering key details such as:

• course start date
• level
• awarding organisation

At the end of the process, a clear outcome is provided, which can be printed for your records.

Why use the new service?

Using the new Check an early years qualification service:

• saves time during recruitment and HR processes
• supports workforce planning ahead of the September 2025 expansion of funded childcare entitlements
• reduces confusion when checking qualifications

The service is tailored specifically for early years managers. All other user groups (for example practitioners) should continue to use the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) to check qualifications, and contact our supplier Ecctis if they are unable to find the qualification on the EYQL.

The Check an early years qualification service is for qualifications achieved in the UK. Holders of non-UK qualifications should continue to contact our supplier Ecctis for an assessment.

If you need help using the service you can contact DfE.

Essential guidance for childcare providers

• Visit the GOV.UK website for statutory guidance on the provision of early education and childcare.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information about the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information about the prevent duty guidance.
• Visit the Telford SEND website for information about the SEND Code of Practice.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information about working together to safeguard children.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information about reporting child abuse.
• Download a non-statutory guide for practitioners and inspectors to help inform understanding of child development through the early years.
• Download a non-statutory guidance of development matters for EYFS for practitioners and inspectors to help inform understanding of child development through the early years.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information about the education inspection framework for early years settings.
• Visit the GOV.UK website to view the early years inspection handbook.
• Download the teaching and play guide, a good practice survey to explore perceptions of teaching and play in the early years.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information about the early years Ofsted annual reports.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about keeping children safe in education.

Last updated : 28 May 2025