State of early years sector unclear following Brexit result, says Alliance CEO
Last week the UK voted to leave the European Union, but the impact of this decision on the early years sector is as yet unclear, said Neil Leitch, Pre-school Learning Alliance chief executive. Given that the UK prime minister has revealed plans to resign, shadow childcare minister Jenny Chapman has stepped down and there […]
Study suggests link between air pollution and childhood mental health
Umeå University in Sweden has released a report which associates neighbourhood air pollution with childhood mental health. Researchers at the university compared data on dispensed medicines for a broad range of psychiatric disorders with data on air pollution concentrations in Sweden, and discovered that even a modest increment of air pollution showed a greater […]
Infants more likely to follow pointed finger than arrows, study shows
Young children’s eye movements respond faster to pointed fingers than arrows or signs, researchers from the University of Lincoln have said. During the university’s ‘Summer Scientist’ week, researchers used eye-tracking technology to observe the speed at which children – between the ages of three and 10 – reacted to different visual cues. The […]
Government to scrap serious case reviews
Serious case reviews (SCRs) are to be scrapped in favour of a new system where cases will be reviewed either by a national panel or the local safeguarding children board (LSCB). In a review, the DfE said it will create a “stronger but more flexible statutory framework” that will require local authorities, the police […]
Refugee children are vulnerable to poor mental health, study claims
Research from the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has claimed that refugee and migrant children are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health, as a result of experiences both before and during migration. Titled, “Delivering the Healthy Child Programme for young refugee and migrant children”, the report highlighted a number of specific health issues affecting refugee […]
York CC secures increased rate for 30-hours pilot
Lengthy negotiations between the DfE and York City Council have resulted in an increased flat rate of £4 per hour for providers taking part in the 30-hours free childcare scheme being piloted in September this year. The government had initially offered a split rate of £3.38 and £3.95 for the first and second 15 […]
Higher income families will be main beneficiaries of 30-hours scheme, report claims
The 30-hours free childcare scheme is likely to be more beneficial for higher income families than those living on the minimum wage, a new report has claimed. According to the report from Centreforum – “Widening the gap? The impact of the 30-hour entitlement on early years education and childcare” – two-parent families earning £19,000 […]
Report shows free childcare has little lasting impact
A recent study has suggested that free part-time pre-school care for three year olds has had little lasting impact. The study – “Universal Pre-school Education: The Case for Public Funding with Private Provision”, published in the May 2016 edition of the Economic Journal of the Royal Economic Society – said that the £2 billion […]
DfE to spend £3 million on support for 30-hours offer
The DfE is to launch a tender for a two-year contract to support the 30-hours free childcare initiative, on which it plans to spend approximately £3 million. It will look for a national organisation or consortium to help the 152 local authorities in the country to implement the scheme. An invitation to tender […]
Further local authorities reveal funding for 30-hours pilot
Local authorities in Northumberland, Hertfordshire and the London Borough of Newham have now revealed funding details for their 30-hours childcare pilot, following the news of York’s funding formula late last month. As with York’s formula, the existing 15 hours and the additional 15 hours will be paid at different rates. In Northumberland, for […]
Thousands of under-fives not ‘school ready’, study claims
Nearly a third of children are not ‘school ready’ when they start reception, with many not toilet-trained, a national survey has claimed. The State of Education survey – carried out by schools support service The Key – reviewed 1,100 primary school leaders and revealed that many youngsters had a lack of social skills, delayed […]
Consultation on childcarer disqualification rules excludes childminders
A new government consultation on the changes to disqualification arrangements for childcare workers will apply only to schools and non-domestic registered settings. The government plans to revise arrangements for those disqualified from working with children because they live with a disqualified person. “The current rules around disqualification by association can create significant and […]