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Children's News Feed

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

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Early Years 6 days ago

Busy Bees Opens New Nursery in Hailsham, East Sussex

Busy Bees has officially opened a new nursery in Hailsham, creating capacity for up to 110 children. The new provision expands early years childcare options for local families, supporting the vital first steps in children's educational journeys and helping meet growing demand in East Sussex.

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Early Years 6 days ago

The Butterfly Patch Celebrates Ten Years of Early Years Excellence

The Butterfly Patch Nurseries and Preschools has marked a significant milestone, celebrating its tenth anniversary this July. Over the past decade, the group has established itself as a provider of early years education and childcare across South London and Surrey, supporting children and families during those crucial formative years.

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How Early Years Settings Are Becoming Eco Champions
Early Years Jul 28, 2026

How Early Years Settings Are Becoming Eco Champions

With new government requirements driving environmental accountability, early years settings across the country are embracing sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint. Karen Hart explores how nurseries and childcare providers are prioritising eco-friendly initiatives, from sustainable resources to outdoor learning environments, whilst maintaining high-quality care for children from birth to age five.

Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey departs in cabinet reshuffle
Policy Jul 23, 2026

Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey departs in cabinet reshuffle

Olivia Bailey has stepped down as early education minister as part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cabinet reshuffle. The departure signals potential shifts in early years policy and departmental leadership affecting local authority childcare responsibilities.

Early Years Leaders Call for Extension of Business Rates Cuts to Nurseries
Policy Jul 23, 2026

Early Years Leaders Call for Extension of Business Rates Cuts to Nurseries

Early years leaders have urged the Prime Minister to extend business rates cuts to nurseries and pre-schools, ensuring England aligns with Scotland and Wales where providers already receive reduced rates. The campaign aims to ease financial pressures on early years settings and support the sustainability of childcare provision across the country.

Academics Urge Foreign Secretary to Strengthen Early Childhood Education Rights
Policy Jul 23, 2026

Academics Urge Foreign Secretary to Strengthen Early Childhood Education Rights

A coalition of 161 early childhood academics has written to Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband calling for UK backing of a new protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The proposed measures would strengthen the right to education under international law, enhancing legal protections for young children's learning and development.

DfE Publishes Revised Early Years Practitioner Occupational Certificate Content
Early Years Jul 23, 2026

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.

Early Years Provision Faces Sharp Decline as Pupil Numbers Set to Fall by Over 10 Per Cent
Policy Jul 22, 2026

Early Years Provision Faces Sharp Decline as Pupil Numbers Set to Fall by Over 10 Per Cent

Department for Education projections indicate a significant drop in the number of children under five accessing state-funded early education, with numbers expected to fall by more than 10 per cent over the next five years. The decline poses challenges for local authorities managing early years provision and planning future capacity across the sector.

James Hempsall: Ending the 'making do' culture in school holiday childcare
Early Years Jul 22, 2026

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'.

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.