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

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.

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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'.

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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.

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Policy 1 week ago

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

Read Summary

Early Years 1 week ago

James Hempsall: Ending the 'making do' culture in school holiday childcare

Read Summary

Early Years 1 week ago

Home Counties nanny costs surge to £60k amid talent shortage

Read Summary

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SEND Jul 22, 2026

Tens of Thousands of Disadvantaged Children with SEND Missing Out on Holiday Activities

The Children's Commissioner for England has warned that tens of thousands of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from low-income families are being excluded from government-funded holiday activity schemes. The findings highlight significant barriers preventing vulnerable children from accessing enriching opportunities during school breaks.

SEND Jul 22, 2026

Commissioner warns disabled children missing out on accessible holiday activities

Children with SEND from disadvantaged backgrounds are being excluded from free holiday activities due to distance, inaccessibility and lack of specialist support, the Children's Commissioner has found.

Policy Jul 20, 2026

Lucy Powell appointed Education Secretary in Prime Minister Burnham's cabinet

The Labour MP for Manchester Central, Lucy Powell, has been appointed as Education Secretary in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's newly formed cabinet. The appointment places her at the helm of national education policy during a critical period for schools, SEND provision and local authority budgets.

Policy Jul 20, 2026

Humanities Under Threat: University Arts Funding Cuts Risk Cultural Future

Literature, arts and social sciences face severe funding cuts as UK universities tighten budgets, prompting fears that these essential disciplines are being reduced to mere cost centres. The Guardian warns that while ministers look away, the decline of humanities threatens the nation's cultural literacy and the skills pipeline for future generations.

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.

Early Years Jul 20, 2026

Council confirms nursery closure after charity provider defaults on contract

A north London council has confirmed the closure of a nursery following the default of a charity provider on its contractual obligations. The decision comes despite significant opposition from parents who had campaigned to maintain the early years provision.

Policy Jul 20, 2026

Burnham pledges mental health support for children in first speech as PM

Andy Burnham has used his first speech as Prime Minister to promise action on the cost of living crisis and enhanced mental health support for children. The announcement signals potential shifts in national policy affecting children's services and family welfare.

Schools Jul 18, 2026

'Without this it's all just tourists': Soho's last primary school fights for survival

Soho Parish C of E primary, the last remaining school in a neighbourhood that once had 16, faces an uncertain future due to falling pupil numbers affecting hundreds of primaries across England. Supporters are mounting an ambitious campaign to save the 'unique' inner-London institution, arguing it serves as a vital community anchor amidst the capital's changing landscape.

Education Jul 17, 2026

Why I took unpaid leave to cover the summer holidays: a parent's story

With the six-week summer break presenting a significant challenge for working families, one parent shares why they opted for a month of unpaid leave. Like many others, they combined organised childcare and annual leave to manage the gap between school terms, highlighting the pressing need for affordable holiday provision.

Policy Jul 17, 2026

MPs Call for Early Years Training to Prioritise Reading for Pleasure

MPs have urged that early years training programmes must equip educators—particularly younger practitioners—with the skills to nurture children's love of reading for pleasure, highlighting the foundational role of early literacy in lifelong learning.

Family Support & Early Help Jul 17, 2026

Summer holidays reignite the annual screen time family debate

As the school holidays begin, families across the country are facing the familiar challenge of managing children's screen time. This light-hearted cartoon captures the relatable tensions that arise when routine shifts and digital devices become a focal point of household debates.

Policy Jul 17, 2026

Indian climate activist weakens demanding education minister resignation on 19th day of hunger strike

Sonam Wangchuk, the figurehead of anti-government protests in Delhi, has lost close to 9kg during a hunger strike demanding the resignation of India's education minister. Doctors warn his body is entering severe starvation, with symptoms including extreme weakness and impaired brain function as he refuses sustenance beyond water.

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