Applications for the 30-hour offer for nine-month-olds open
Applications for the next phase of the early entitlement expansion – where families of eligible children who will be at least nine months old by September can apply to access 30 hours of funded early years provision a week – opens today.
Report finds fewer professional development opportunities for childminders
Childminders risk being left out of professional development opportunities, a report by the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) has found
Alliance launches new toolkit to support transition from the early years to school
The Early Years Alliance has launched a new toolkit to support early years settings when preparing children for the transition from early years education to school.
Ofsted sets out intent to improve inspection plans in response to consultation
Plans to reform the education inspection system adapted in response to feedback received on the proposed changes, Ofsted has announced in a blog post.
New DfE guidance on early years nutrition coming into effect in September
The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance on early years nutrition, which will come into effect in September 2025.
Alliance to investigate impact of school-based nursery policy on PVI early years providers
The Early Years Alliance has filed a Freedom of Information (FoI) Act request to the Department for Education (DfE)
Once upon a time…
The Alliance’s Melanie Pilcher discusses all things fairy tale – the positives and negatives, links to learning, and how to update them for the modern age
Muddy boots and green fingers
The Alliance’s Melanie Pilcher explains how to bring [horti]cultural capital to the early years
Words in motion
The Alliance’s Melanie Pilcher shares ideas to celebrate World Poetry Day 2025
Screen-free for sleep
New research from a cohort of universities and early years organisations shows that toddlers’ sleep is boosted by screen-free bedtimes, so we decided to find out more…
With a tin can, you can…
The Alliance’s Melanie Pilcher celebrates National Tin Can Day by sharing ways to reuse and recycle tin cans in little ones’ learning
Report shows one in three children not meeting their Early Years Development Goals
One in three children are not meeting their Early Years Development Goals, according to a report by The Centre for Young Lives.