Early Years Children

Overview

Norfolk Virtual School provides dedicated support for all professionals—both internal and external—working with children in care aged 0 to 8 across Norfolk. Our specialist Early Years Advisers work countywide to ensure the educational and developmental needs of these children are identified and met from the moment they enter care.

We are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes through:

High-quality Personal Education Plans (PEPs) from age 2 onwards
Thoughtful, well-planned transitions
Close collaboration with our advisers for Previously in Care children, including those who are adopted or subject to Special Guardianship or Child Arrangement Orders

Support Offered by the Early Years Team

Our Early Years Advisers provide information, advice, and guidance in the following areas:

A named adviser for every setting with children in care offering support and guidance
Support for foster carers with PEPs and accessing quality provision
Guidance on early learning and child development
Signposting to relevant services
Advice for early years children with SEND
Distribution of My Play and Discover bags for children aged 0-5
Delivery of the Watch Me Play! programme to enhance child development and caregiver-child relationships
Promotion of infant mental health through signposting to key organisations such as the Association of Infant Mental Health (AIMH) and the Anna Freud Centre

Early Years Projects

Watch Me Play! Programme
Speech and Language Support
Infant Mental Health Initiatives

Watch Me Play!

[email protected]

Watch Me Play! is a programme developed by Dr. Jenifer Wakelyn, child psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. Originally designed for babies and young children in temporary foster placements, it has proven beneficial for children in long-term care from birth to around eight years old.

The approach supports caregivers by encouraging:

Child-led play
Individual attention
Conversations about the child's play

Learn more at www.watchmeplay.info.

Speech and Language Support for Children in Care (Aged 0-5)

Lead Contact: Charlotte Hills [email protected]

All children aged 0-5 who are new to care will be screened and monitored to assess their speech and language development. Our advisers will collaborate with carers and early years settings to complete a baseline assessment. Where appropriate, referrals can be made for specialist speech and language intervention.

In addition, the Norfolk & Waveney Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service provides further support and guidance for children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN).

Useful Resources

Infant Mental Health

Lead Contact: Clare Lord [email protected]

Research has increasingly highlighted the critical importance of infant mental health. It plays a big role in healthy brain development and the prevention of mental health problems for both infants and their caregivers. When we nurture emotional wellbeing early on, it helps infants build strong, healthy relationships as they grow up. In turn, this can make a real difference to how well children do later in life.

Start for Life

The government's First 1001 Days report influenced the development of the Start for Life programme, launched in Norfolk in June 2023. This initiative supports babies and toddlers aged 0-2, with a focus on parent-infant relationships and mental health—including foster carers and those caring under Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs).

Start for Life offer in Norfolk County Council

Additional Resources

The Anna Freud Centre also provides valuable resources for early years practitioners and carers:  For under fives | Anna Freud For under fives | Anna Freud