AI-Curated News

Children's News Feed

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

Categories

Policy 2 weeks ago

Birth to 5 Matters: Updated Guidance Launched for Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Coalition has published a second edition of Birth to 5 Matters, providing refreshed non-statutory guidance for practitioners delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The updated framework supports high-quality provision from birth to age five, helping nurseries and childminders implement the EYFS effectively whilst maintaining professional autonomy.

Read Summary
Strengthening safeguarding culture in early years: New training and consultation launched
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

Strengthening safeguarding culture in early years: New training and consultation launched

The Government's Best Start in Life Champion has emphasised the vital connection between high-quality practice and robust safeguarding arrangements as the Department for Education launches new free training resources. Developed in partnership with the NSPCC, the training supports practitioners whilst ministers prepare to consult on tightening safeguarding requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

NSPCC and DfE Launch Free Safeguarding Training for Early Years Practitioners
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

NSPCC and DfE Launch Free Safeguarding Training for Early Years Practitioners

The NSPCC has partnered with the Department for Education to deliver free safeguarding training for early years practitioners. Christian McMullen, the charity's Professional Learning Services Director, explains how this initiative aims to make settings safer for young children across England.

Sue Robb: 'The journey to a stronger safeguarding culture starts with all of us'
Safeguarding Jul 16, 2026

Sue Robb: 'The journey to a stronger safeguarding culture starts with all of us'

Sue Robb OBE, the Government's Best Start in Life Champion, highlights the vital link between high-quality practice and robust safeguarding in early years settings. The Department for Education has launched free safeguarding training with the NSPCC and announced plans to consult on strengthening safeguarding wording in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

Coram survey: Over half of councils unaware of holiday childcare sufficiency
Policy Jul 16, 2026

Coram survey: Over half of councils unaware of holiday childcare sufficiency

Coram Family and Childcare’s annual survey reveals that rising costs continue to burden families across Great Britain, while over half of local authorities remain unaware of their holiday childcare sufficiency. The findings raise significant concerns about whether councils can effectively meet their statutory duties to ensure adequate childcare provision.

Expansion of Shared Reading Programme Boosts Early Language Development
Early Years Jul 15, 2026

Expansion of Shared Reading Programme Boosts Early Language Development

A shared reading programme designed to enrich language development and foster engagement with stories is being rolled out to additional early years settings across the region. The expansion aims to ensure more children benefit from high-quality literacy experiences during the crucial first five years of life.

Nurseries Under Strain: Managing Cashflow Amid Rising Costs and Changing Funding
Policy Jul 14, 2026

Nurseries Under Strain: Managing Cashflow Amid Rising Costs and Changing Funding

Nursery settings across the UK are facing severe financial pressures as operational costs escalate and government funding arrangements shift. With parental expectations for quality care continuing to grow, early years providers must navigate increasingly complex financial waters to maintain sustainable provision.

Safeguarding under-fives from AI image manipulation risks, experts urge
Safeguarding Jul 14, 2026

Safeguarding under-fives from AI image manipulation risks, experts urge

Experts have warned that campaigns addressing the risks posed by AI manipulation of children's images shared online must specifically include families with children under five. Current safeguarding efforts may be overlooking this vulnerable age group, who require particular protection from emerging digital harms.

Research Reveals Widest Attainment Gap Emerges in Early Years
Education Jul 14, 2026

Research Reveals Widest Attainment Gap Emerges in Early Years

New research indicates that the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers is wider during the early years than at any other education phase. The findings emphasise the critical importance of early intervention and support services to address inequality before children begin primary school.

Paediatricians warn UK is raising 'unhealthiest generation in decades'
Policy Jul 14, 2026

Paediatricians warn UK is raising 'unhealthiest generation in decades'

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's latest State of Child Health report reveals that children's health and wellbeing across the UK has declined or stalled over the past decade. Experts warn that the nation is raising one of the unhealthiest generations in recent memory, calling for urgent cross-government action to address the social determinants of health.