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Children's News Feed

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

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Academics Call on New PM to Transform Early Years Education and Care
Policy Aug 1, 2026

Academics Call on New PM to Transform Early Years Education and Care

Professors Helen Penn and Peter Moss outline how the new Prime Minister could fundamentally improve access to quality early years provision. Their recommendations focus on transforming the current system to ensure all children benefit from high-quality early education and care during the crucial birth-to-five period.

EYE SUPPLEMENT Have a go
Early Years Jul 31, 2026

EYE SUPPLEMENT Have a go

Meg Barclay explores picturebooks that encourage young children to embrace challenges, build confidence and develop a growth mindset

Frequent playground visits boost happiness in pre-school children, study finds
Early Years Jul 30, 2026

Frequent playground visits boost happiness in pre-school children, study finds

New analysis reveals that children aged two to four who visit playgrounds regularly demonstrate better emotional wellbeing and fewer behavioural difficulties than those who play less frequently outdoors. The findings from the British Children's Pre-School Play Survey highlight the importance of accessible outdoor play spaces for early childhood development.

Kids Planet Acquires Cheshire Nursery as Sector Consolidation Continues
Early Years Jul 30, 2026

Kids Planet Acquires Cheshire Nursery as Sector Consolidation Continues

Kids Planet, the UK's second largest nursery group, has acquired an independent setting in Cheshire, underscoring ongoing consolidation in the Early Years sector. The expansion raises questions about market diversity and the sustainability of small providers in the current funding climate.

£1.5 Million Investment in Early Years Charities Across UK
Early Years Jul 29, 2026

£1.5 Million Investment in Early Years Charities Across UK

The 1001 Critical Days Foundation has awarded £1.5 million in grants to seven charities supporting young children and families across England, Scotland and Wales. The funding recognises the vital importance of the period from conception to age two in laying foundations for lifelong health, wellbeing and learning.

Bright Stars Acquires Three Nurseries in London and Berkshire
Early Years Jul 29, 2026

Bright Stars Acquires Three Nurseries in London and Berkshire

Bright Stars has expanded its early years footprint through the acquisition of the Learn Well Group, which operates three nurseries across London and Berkshire. The deal strengthens Bright Stars' position in the childcare market and signals further consolidation within the early years sector.

What Nurseries Must Know About Notifying Ofsted of Inspections
Policy Jul 29, 2026

What Nurseries Must Know About Notifying Ofsted of Inspections

Early years providers must understand their specific obligations regarding Ofsted notifications to remain compliant with regulatory requirements. This guidance from Jayne Coward, Ofsted's deputy director for early years regulatory policy, clarifies the essential steps nursery settings need to take when communicating with the inspectorate.

Intergenerational practice: Developing connections
Early Years Jul 29, 2026

Intergenerational practice: Developing connections

Following the success of its first intergenerational project, Jackie Warren, CEO of Growing Places, a not-for-profit nursery group in Hampshire explains how the organisation investigated different models

University Partnership Enhances Speech and Language Support in Baby Rooms
SEND Jul 29, 2026

University Partnership Enhances Speech and Language Support in Baby Rooms

A collaboration between the University of Northampton and Childbase Partnership is developing evidence-based approaches to support early communication skills in nursery baby rooms. The project focuses on equipping practitioners with strategies to foster speech and language development from birth.