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Children's News Feed

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

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Policy 2 weeks ago

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.

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Policy 2 weeks ago

DfE updates EYFS framework with new infant sleep safety requirements

The Department for Education has published an updated Early Years Foundation Stage framework introducing stricter safeguarding requirements for babies under 12 months in childcare settings. The changes mandate that infants must sleep in cots whilst under the care of childminders and in group-based provision, alongside strengthened guidance on screen use.

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Developing Countries Spend More on Foreign Debt Than Education, UNESCO Finds
Policy Jul 10, 2026

Developing Countries Spend More on Foreign Debt Than Education, UNESCO Finds

UNESCO research reveals that 113 developing countries spent more servicing foreign debt than on education in 2025, with sub-Saharan African nations dedicating 3.6 times more funding to loan repayments than schools. The report highlights a concerning trend as global aid to education faces predicted cuts of up to 30%, leaving millions of children without adequate investment in their learning.

Reeves unveils City skills compact to retrain financial workers in AI
Policy Jul 10, 2026

Reeves unveils City skills compact to retrain financial workers in AI

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to launch a financial services 'skills compact' committing major banks to retrain thousands of employees in artificial intelligence. The government-backed initiative aims to help workers 'keep pace' with technological changes and mitigate fears of mass redundancies across the sector.

DfE launches match-funding scheme for Best Start Family Hubs
Policy Jul 9, 2026

DfE launches match-funding scheme for Best Start Family Hubs

The Department for Education has unveiled a new initiative inviting businesses, charities and social investors to match local authority funding for Best Start Family Hubs. The scheme aims to bolster early help provision by leveraging philanthropic investment alongside public money.

Early Years Workforce Under 'Significant' Pressure Despite Positive Ofsted Data
Policy Jul 9, 2026

Early Years Workforce Under 'Significant' Pressure Despite Positive Ofsted Data

While the latest Ofsted data reveals fewer childminders are leaving the sector and those operating are achieving good inspection grades, Coram PACEY's chief executive Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges warns that positive headlines mask deep systemic strains. She argues that reliance on goodwill and dedication alone cannot sustain the early years profession amid mounting pressures.

Education Secretary calls for universal 30-hour early years entitlement
Policy Jul 8, 2026

Education Secretary calls for universal 30-hour early years entitlement

Bridget Phillipson has announced her intention to extend the 30 hours of funded early education to include low-income families currently excluded from the scheme. The proposal aims to remove eligibility barriers and ensure universal access to crucial early years provision.

Childminder shortage threatens expansion of 30-hour childcare offer
Policy Jul 8, 2026

Childminder shortage threatens expansion of 30-hour childcare offer

The Education Secretary's proposal to extend the 30-hour childcare entitlement to families on benefits faces a significant hurdle, as industry leaders warn of a critical shortage of childminders. Tina Maltman, chief executive of Childminding UK, cautions that boosting provision must precede policy expansion to ensure sufficient childcare spaces are available.

MPs condemn student loan mis-selling and demand reversal of repayment threshold freeze
Policy Jul 7, 2026

MPs condemn student loan mis-selling and demand reversal of repayment threshold freeze

MPs on the Treasury select committee have ruled that government promotion of student loans amounted to mis-selling, citing misleading comparisons to mobile phone contracts and failure to disclose changeable terms. The committee also insists ministers have a moral obligation to reverse last year's decision to freeze the Plan 2 repayment threshold at £29,385.

MPs: Student loans 'mis-sold' via phone contract comparisons
Policy Jul 6, 2026

MPs: Student loans 'mis-sold' via phone contract comparisons

Students were not adequately informed that their loan terms could be altered retrospectively, according to a new parliamentary report. The committee found that comparing student finance to mobile phone contracts failed to convey the reality that repayment conditions could change after graduation.

Government Launches Early Years Funding Consultation as Sector Warns of Underfunding
Policy Jul 6, 2026

Government Launches Early Years Funding Consultation as Sector Warns of Underfunding

The Government has published its consultation on early years funding, proposing changes to the national funding formula for three and four-year-olds and a minimum funding floor for younger children. Early years providers argue the reforms fail to address the systemic underfunding threatening the stability of childcare provision across local authorities.