Automatically curated from DfE announcements, education news, and sector updates.
Happy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools has announced the acquisition of Polka Dot Farm nursery.
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Support for under-fives is a key focus of a new government programme designed to increase access to early intervention support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), new Department for Education guidance reveals.
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Councils in three areas are set to pilot new Government plans for data sharing between early education providers, health visitors and local authorities.
Read SummaryHappy Days Nurseries and Pre-Schools has announced the acquisition of Polka Dot Farm nursery.
Read SummarySupport for under-fives is a key focus of a new government programme designed to increase access to early intervention support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), new Department for Education guidance reveals.
Read SummaryCouncils in three areas are set to pilot new Government plans for data sharing between early education providers, health visitors and local authorities.
Read Summary
Ofsted will now consider safe sleep practices as a routine part of inspection, alongside an update to safe sleep requirements in the early years curriculum from September.
An investigation by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has revealed that school-based early years provision is receiving Ofsted's 'needs attention' rating at significantly higher rates than private, voluntary and independent settings. The findings raise urgent questions about inspection consistency and the distinct challenges facing maintained nursery schools.
Working Families, the national charity for working parents and carers, is to close after 47 years.
The early years sector could help tackle rising youth unemployment through both the early identification of children at risk of becoming NEET and by employing young people, the response to a government-commissioned review suggests.
Campaign group Early Years Voice has called on the Competition and Markets Authority to expand its review of childcare costs to examine whether Government hourly funding rates are adequate. The group is pushing for a 'full market' investigation rather than the narrower study originally requested by ministers.
Campaign group Early Years Voice has called on the Competition and Markets Authority to expand its review into a full market investigation, specifically questioning whether the Government's hourly funded rate is adequate to cover actual provider costs.
Dr Matt Price reflects on twelve months of championing the vital period from conception to age two. The foundation has advanced research and grants to support infant mental health and strengthen early family relationships during this critical developmental window.
The debate over mandatory CCTV in nurseries raises complex questions about child protection and privacy. While cameras may enhance safeguarding measures and provide evidence in abuse cases, concerns persist about eroding trust between parents and practitioners. This article examines the arguments for and against compulsory surveillance in early years settings.
N Family Club, which operates 54 nursery settings across London and the South East, has revealed ambitious plans to enter the American market. The group expects to open 80 nurseries in the US by 2032, marking a significant international expansion for the UK-based early years provider.
A new online training programme is being offered free to nursery staff to improve knowledge and practice around safer sleep for babies. The initiative aims to reach 1,000 early years settings, helping practitioners reduce risks associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and establish consistent safeguarding standards.
New research reveals that AI-powered toys struggle to accurately interpret children's emotions and fail to adequately support the imaginative and social play essential for healthy development. Emily Goodacre's findings raise important questions about the role of technology in early childhood education and the limitations of algorithmic interactions.
Ashaya Slocombe shares her journey from apprentice to Early Childhood and Education Studies graduate at Snapdragons Nursery, exploring how her research into gender differences in early writing informed everyday provision.