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Olivia Bailey appointed as early education minister in cabinet reshuffle

Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has been appointed to the role of early education minister, the government has confirmed.

Ofsted confirm changes to early education inspections and reveals updated report cards

Ofsted has today confirmed the rollout new reforms to education inspections, which it says will offer families “more detail about their children’s education”.

Government announces next phase of school-based nursery expansion

The government is inviting more schools to bid for up to £150,000 of funding from a £45 million pot to create a further 300 new or expanded school-based nurseries from September 2026.

Education Committee launches new inquiry into early years sector

The Education Committee has launched an inquiry into the early years sector looking at issues around the sustainability of the workforce, families’ access to services and the quality of outcomes for young children.

Final phase of entitlement expansion launches

Over half a million to benefit from government-funded places, government claims.

New research highlights workforce barriers to entitlement expansion

Poor pay and career progression in early years workforce could hamper the expansion of the early entitlement scheme, new research has found.

Cross-sector organisations publish open letter on early years funding

Leading organisations from across the early years and education sectors have written an open letter to the education secretary, warning of the impact of underfunding on the early years sector

Independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care to be spearheaded by Baroness Amos

Baroness Valerie Amos has been appointed by health and social care secretary Wes Streeting to lead a national NHS maternity and neonatal care investigation.

OPSS launches new ‘Small Hazards, Big Harm’ campaign

A new campaign to make parents aware of the risks and dangers posed by small, everyday items has been launched by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

New film series looking at social and emotional growth in the early years launched

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has today released a series of animated films supporting the social and emotional development of babies and young children

Low Pay Commission publishes initial national living wage increase predictions for 2026

The government may need to increase the national living wage (NLW) from the current £12.21 to £12.71 in April 2026 to meet its own targets on salary increases,the Low Pay Commission (LPC) has said.

New phase of DfE early years recruitment campaign encourages more men to join the early years workforce

The latest phase of the government’s early years recruitment campaign will focus on increasing the number of male educators working in early years settings

Author: Jackson