AI-Curated News

Children's News Feed

Automatically curated from DfE announcements, education news, and sector updates.

Categories

Early Years 1 month ago

DfE Publishes Revised Early Years Practitioner Occupational Certificate Content

The Department for Education has published revised content for the new Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Occupational Certificate after consultation feedback revealed only limited confidence in the original materials. Just over half of respondents felt the previous content fully or mostly enabled students to achieve the qualification's aims, prompting updates designed to better prepare early years professionals.

Read Summary
Early Years 1 month ago

James Hempsall: Ending the 'making do' culture in school holiday childcare

For too long, families have faced the annual struggle of patching together adequate childcare during the school holidays, often settling for arrangements that are inconvenient, expensive, or insufficient. James Hempsall argues that a cultural shift is underway, with school-age childcare providers leading the charge toward a future where parents can say 'can do' rather than merely 'make do'.

Read Summary
Home Counties nanny costs surge to £60k amid talent shortage
Early Years Jul 22, 2026

Home Counties nanny costs surge to £60k amid talent shortage

New research reveals that hiring a nanny in the Home Counties now costs families almost £60,000 annually, following a record £12,000 increase in salaries. Affluent parents are competing for a limited pool of experienced childcare professionals, driving up wages in the private early years market.

Community Donors Step Up to Save Toddler Groups as Funding Squeeze Bites
Early Years Jul 20, 2026

Community Donors Step Up to Save Toddler Groups as Funding Squeeze Bites

Stay and play sessions for young children are facing severe financial strain as rising costs make grants increasingly competitive. Individual donors and local families are now stepping in to keep these vital early years services afloat, ensuring toddlers and parents continue to have access to essential community support.

DfE launches NSPCC-developed safeguarding training for early years settings
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

DfE launches NSPCC-developed safeguarding training for early years settings

The Department for Education has published new safeguarding training for early years settings, developed in partnership with the NSPCC. The training aims to equip staff with the skills to recognise signs of harm and take appropriate action on concerns, strengthening child protection across the early years sector.

Birth to 5 Matters: Updated Guidance Launched for Early Years Foundation Stage
Policy Jul 16, 2026

Birth to 5 Matters: Updated Guidance Launched for Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Coalition has published a second edition of Birth to 5 Matters, providing refreshed non-statutory guidance for practitioners delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The updated framework supports high-quality provision from birth to age five, helping nurseries and childminders implement the EYFS effectively whilst maintaining professional autonomy.

Strengthening safeguarding culture in early years: New training and consultation launched
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

Strengthening safeguarding culture in early years: New training and consultation launched

The Government's Best Start in Life Champion has emphasised the vital connection between high-quality practice and robust safeguarding arrangements as the Department for Education launches new free training resources. Developed in partnership with the NSPCC, the training supports practitioners whilst ministers prepare to consult on tightening safeguarding requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

NSPCC and DfE Launch Free Safeguarding Training for Early Years Practitioners
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

NSPCC and DfE Launch Free Safeguarding Training for Early Years Practitioners

The NSPCC has partnered with the Department for Education to deliver free safeguarding training for early years practitioners. Christian McMullen, the charity's Professional Learning Services Director, explains how this initiative aims to make settings safer for young children across England.

Sue Robb: 'The journey to a stronger safeguarding culture starts with all of us'
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

Sue Robb: 'The journey to a stronger safeguarding culture starts with all of us'

Sue Robb OBE, the Government's Best Start in Life Champion, highlights the vital link between high-quality practice and robust safeguarding in early years settings. The Department for Education has launched free safeguarding training with the NSPCC and announced plans to consult on strengthening safeguarding wording in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

Coram survey: Over half of councils unaware of holiday childcare sufficiency
Policy Jul 16, 2026

Coram survey: Over half of councils unaware of holiday childcare sufficiency

Coram Family and Childcare’s annual survey reveals that rising costs continue to burden families across Great Britain, while over half of local authorities remain unaware of their holiday childcare sufficiency. The findings raise significant concerns about whether councils can effectively meet their statutory duties to ensure adequate childcare provision.