Bright Horizons nursery suspended by Ofsted over risk of harm to children
The Early Years Alliance is calling on the Government to provide targeted support for nurseries and childminders to operate safely during extreme heat. Leaders are requesting dedicated funding for air conditioning units and assurances that settings will not be penalised for closing during dangerous temperatures.
Noel Kenely, founder of Hark and Spark, explains how nurseries and early years settings can transform outcomes for deaf children by understanding the principles of Auditory Verbal Therapy. Early intervention through specialist approaches helps lay the foundations for communication and learning before children reach statutory school age.
The early years sector has urged new Education Secretary Lucy Powell to ensure equal treatment for private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings alongside school-based provision. Sector leaders argue that achieving parity in funding and support is essential to delivering sustainable, high-quality early education across England.