Alliance CEO criticises “insulting” messaging in school nursery promotions

The Department for Education shared social media posts claiming that school-based nurseries give children “a smoother transition to reception year”.
DfE launches first wave of school nurseries

The new settings are expected to offer around 6,000 new places in total.
Alliance criticises lack of reference to early years sector in Spring Statement

The Chancellor did not announce additional support for the early years, despite warnings about the growing pressure on providers.
Alliance challenges inconsistent LA funding agreements

The organisation is raising reports of unreasonably-restrictive provider agreements with the Department for Education
Coram annual report shows disadvantaged and SEND children more likely to struggle to access early years provision

Disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are more likely to struggle to access early years provision in England than their peers, according to Coram Family and Childcare’s annual Childcare Survey.
New National Insurance cost support excludes private and voluntary early years providers

The government has today published new guidance on a government grant for increasing National Insurance contributions that confirms private and voluntary early years providers are not eligible for this support.
Parents set to face shortages of government-funded early years places and rising costs

Early years settings and childminders in England have warned they are likely to limit the number of government-funded places on offer and increase their prices, a new survey by the Early Years Alliance has found.
Nursery marketing should drive registrations, forget the clicks!

Written by Nigel Rolfe, Sales Director for Childcare Marketing and previously owned a group of nurseries. Nigel has worked in the childcare sector for over 20 years. Contact – www.childcaremarketing.co.uk. With so many marketing options available, choosing the right marketing provider—is critical. The focus should always be on measurable outcomes rather than vanity metrics. […]
Early years settings and families invited to take part in toilet training research

Researchers at University College London (UCL) are urging early years settings, schools, and families to take part in a project focused on toilet training.
Report shows child safeguarding reviews silent on issues around race and racism

The safeguarding needs of children from Black, Asian and mixed-heritage households are not being met, according to a new report by The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (TCSPRP).
Government announces £11 million in funding for children’s supervised toothbrushing programme

A national programme of supervised toothbrushing for three-to-five-year-olds is being rolled out across the most deprived areas from April, the government has announced.
New Allergy School programme launched to protect children with food allergies

A new, free Allergy School programme has been launched to protect children with food allergies in education settings by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF)