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Children's News Feed

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

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Policy 2 months ago

Defending University Autonomy: When Government Pressure Threatens Higher Education

Recent negotiations between Yale University and the Trump administration highlight the fragility of institutional autonomy in higher education. When government pressure intersects with university governance, the resulting tensions pose fundamental questions about academic freedom and democratic values. These developments offer important lessons for UK policymakers regarding the balance between oversight and institutional independence.

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Policy 2 months ago

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.

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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.

Vice-chancellor warns arts and humanities cuts 'absolutely tragic' for higher education
Policy Jul 15, 2026

Vice-chancellor warns arts and humanities cuts 'absolutely tragic' for higher education

Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor of Bristol University and mother of musician Florence Welch, has warned that sweeping cuts to arts and humanities subjects across higher education are "absolutely tragic". Her intervention highlights growing concerns about the future of creative education and its value to the UK's cultural and economic landscape.

Understanding the student experience: insights from university societies
Higher Education Jul 15, 2026

Understanding the student experience: insights from university societies

As the academic year begins, we are gathering perspectives from students and recent graduates about their experiences with university clubs and societies. These extracurricular activities form a crucial part of the higher education landscape, shaping wellbeing, social integration, and personal development.

The Big Future: Hearing from Southampton's children
Policy Jul 15, 2026

The Big Future: Hearing from Southampton's children

The Children's Commissioner reflects on the importance of listening to children's hopes and concerns for the future, drawing on conversations with young people in Southampton as part of The Big Future initiative.

Expansion of Shared Reading Programme Boosts Early Language Development
Early Years Jul 15, 2026

Expansion of Shared Reading Programme Boosts Early Language Development

A shared reading programme designed to enrich language development and foster engagement with stories is being rolled out to additional early years settings across the region. The expansion aims to ensure more children benefit from high-quality literacy experiences during the crucial first five years of life.

Children's Commissioner Backs Midnight Curfew to Protect Teenagers Online
Safeguarding Jul 15, 2026

Children's Commissioner Backs Midnight Curfew to Protect Teenagers Online

Dame Rachel de Souza has called for a midnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, arguing that young people want protection from addictive algorithms and online harms rather than outright bans. The Commissioner emphasised the need to safeguard teenagers from dangerous strangers and explicit content whilst respecting their digital autonomy.