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Supporting Neurodivergent Children: The Power of Consistent Routines in Early Years

Charmaine Champ, Queen’s Award-winning Learning Disability Nurse, outlines how consistent routines and predictable environments in early years settings create essential stability for neurodivergent children preparing for school. By embedding structure and familiarity, practitioners can significantly improve school readiness and reduce anxiety for children with additional needs.

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CMA Scrutiny of Nursery Charges: What Early Years Providers Must Prepare For
Policy May 28, 2026

CMA Scrutiny of Nursery Charges: What Early Years Providers Must Prepare For

Following the Education Secretary's request for the Competition and Markets Authority to examine childcare costs, competition lawyer Charlie Markillie warns early years settings to prepare for potential regulatory changes. The investigation focuses on charges to parents taking up the funded offer, with significant implications for nursery provision across the sector.

Best Start Champion Defends Strategy Against Claims of Sector Division
Policy May 27, 2026

Best Start Champion Defends Strategy Against Claims of Sector Division

The Government's Best Start in Life champion Sue Robb has denied allegations that the Department for Education is deliberately pitting private and independent nurseries against school-based provision. The claims suggested the early years strategy creates unhealthy competition between PVI settings and maintained nursery schools.

Interview: Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate
Early Years May 27, 2026

Interview: Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is the outgoing Waterstones Children’s Laureate after taking on the role in 2024. Frank is a multiaward- winning children’s book author and screenwriter. He has campaigned for greater access to reading for children. Frank will become a BookTrust Reading Rights Ambassador when hi...

Education Secretary refers childcare add-on costs to competition watchdog
Policy May 26, 2026

Education Secretary refers childcare add-on costs to competition watchdog

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has formally requested that the Competition and Markets Authority investigate additional fees charged by childcare providers to parents accessing government-funded hours. The review will examine whether these extra costs undermine the affordability of the expanded childcare entitlement programme.

Nurseries charging parents extra fees to cover government underfunding
Policy May 25, 2026

Nurseries charging parents extra fees to cover government underfunding

Parents of nursery-age children are reportedly paying thousands of pounds in additional charges for consumables such as food and nappies to compensate for inadequate government funding of free childcare hours. The Early Years Alliance has described these charges as a 'cross-subsidy', prompting the Education Secretary to refer the matter to the competition watchdog for investigation.

Education Secretary orders review of hidden childcare costs
Policy May 25, 2026

Education Secretary orders review of hidden childcare costs

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate additional costs families face when accessing government-funded childcare provision. The review will examine whether providers are charging unfair fees for extras such as meals, nappies and activities alongside 'free' hours.

Phillipson orders CMA review of hidden childcare charges hitting parents
Policy May 24, 2026

Phillipson orders CMA review of hidden childcare charges hitting parents

The Education Secretary has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to examine nursery practices including non-refundable deposits and compulsory add-ons. The move comes amid concerns that families are facing unexpected costs despite the government's expansion of funded early years hours.