News
Expanded offer benefitting existing parents some of whom are reducing, rather than increasing working hours as policy intended
6+ hour, 42+ min ago (165+ words) Speaking at the event in London, Christine Farquharson, economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said that the expanded entitlement is mainly benefitting parents who already were sending their children to early years settings, rather than encouraging new mothers…...
New campaign to boost the number of childminders by making the profession more attractive
4+ day, 18+ hour ago (181+ words) Childminder agency tiney has launched the campaign amid a continual decline in the number of childminders, and following the news that the wear and tear allowance for childminders is to be removed under Making Tax Digital (MTD). Forecasts based on…...
DfE accused of ‘pitting’ school-based nurseries against other providers with social media post
1+ mon, 15+ hour ago (191+ words) The reel (see below) on the Department for Education's social media pages says that school-based nurseries make "life simpler for families' with just one drop-off and "help children thrive from the very start'. The sector has responded with anger to…...
Editor's view: Full circle
1+ mon, 6+ day ago (187+ words) It's encouraging to see the Government including all early years providers in its latest mission to fund training in SEND. Last week it unveiled a commitment to spend "200 million over the current parliament (see online, 16 Jan). This is particularly welcome…...
EYE SUPPLEMENT Research: Bringing up baby
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (199+ words) The early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy landscape in England has changed significantly over the last two years. In April 2024, the Government introduced plans to expand government-funded hours to children from nine months old for families who meet the…...
Special focus: How management software helps nurseries take the pain out of form-filling
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (142+ words) One of the biggest administration challenges for early years settings this year is navigating invoicing under new government guidance, linked'to the expanded offer for working parents that requires invoices to show funded hours as well as additional charges. In response,…...
Why I don't like... tummy time
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (160+ words) Tummy time" " when a baby is placed on their stomach for short periods " has become something that many parents and early years educators unquestioningly adhere to. Tummy time first gained momentum in the early 1990s, around the launch of the Back…...
Funding for three and four-year-olds 22 per cent lower in real terms than its 2017 peak
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (135+ words) The IFS Annual report on Education Spending in England: 2025-26 reveals that despite increases in funding rates, childcare providers" costs have risen more quickly than economy-wide inflation, mostly due to increases in the minimum wage, employer National Insurance and pension contributions....
Former early years minister made chief executive of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation
1+ mon, 4+ week ago (148+ words) Founded last March by Dame Andrea Leadsom, the Foundation works to improve support for babies and their families during the 1,001 days, from pregnancy to age two, providing funding to charities, commissioning research and championing the importance of early development. Quince,…...
Keir Starmer launches new covenant with voluntary sector to include early support for children and families
7+ mon, 2+ week ago (149+ words) This includes supporting vulnerable children and families with the "500 million Better Futures Fund that will support up to 200,000 children and families through early intervention. This is being matched by local and philanthropic investment through social impact bonds. This works by…...