30 providers withdraw from 30-hours pilot in York
More than 30 early years providers in York have pulled out of the 30-hours free entitlement ‘early implementation’ scheme due to insufficient funding. Information on funding for the scheme in York was revealed last week, stating an average of £3.66 per hour, more than a pound less per hour than the government’s promise of […]
Headteachers call for more early years funding
The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) called for better funding and status for the early years sector at its annual conference in Birmingham last weekend. The school leaders’ union said that existing funding for the early years sector is not sufficient, making it particularly difficult to support young children in disadvantaged areas. “Funding […]
Funding revealed for York’s 30-hours pilot
Early years settings in York will receive an average of £3.66 per hour if they take part in the 30-hours childcare pilot, Nursery World reports. The City of York council has allegedly confirmed that its providers will be given their existing funding rate of £3.38 for the first 15 hours, and a further £3.95 […]
Parents back providers for reversal of GCSE requirements
A new poll has revealed that 70% of parents disagree with the government’s GCSE policy which states that all Level 3 practitioners must have at least a C in English and maths in order to be able to count in the ratios. Alternative qualifications, such as functional skills, are no longer accepted. Conducted by […]
DfE unable to confirm release date of 30-hours pilot results
At a Commons public accounts committee hearing earlier this week, DfE officials were unable to confirm when the results of its 30-hours pilot will be available, Children & Young People now reports. The scheme is being piloted in eight local authorities from September 2016 and is due to go live across the nation a […]
Childcare providers fear closure over 30-hours offer, survey shows
Half of childcare providers fear that they may be forced to close as a result of the 30-hours free childcare entitlement initiative, a new survey from the Alliance has discovered. Approximately 1500 childcare providers responded to a survey on the 30-hours offer in March, with 49% saying that there was a risk that they […]
Early years training courses dropped by two UK universities
Leeds Beckett University and the University of Winchester have dropped their early years teacher status (EYTS) courses five months prior to the start of the next academic year, Schools Week reports. Earlier this year, Deborah Lawson, general secretary for Voice – the union for education, early years and childcare professionals – told reporters that […]
New study halves recommended dairy intake for older children, no change for under fives
The Eatwell Guide from Public Health England has nearly halved previous recommendations for the amount of milk and dairy products for children over five years old. Existing recommendations for milk and dairy products stood at 15%, but this has now been reduced to 8%, instead favouring a higher carbohydrate intake. Dr Louis Levy, […]
Reception baseline assessments to be abandoned
The DfE has today revealed that reception baseline assessments will not be used to measure pupils’ progress, after a study found that the three different assessments were not comparable. The study – from the DfE and the Standards and Testing Agency – examined the three schemes used by schools in the 2015 to 2016 […]
DfE proposes to extend daily availability of free entitlement
In its open consultation on the 30-hours free childcare initiative, the DfE has proposed extending the period that parents can access this free entitlement from 7am – 7pm to 6am – 8pm. The DfE’s draft document – released on Sunday 3 April – highlighted a number of areas for discussion, also including the requirements […]
New report calls for a qualified early years teacher in every setting
A new report from Save The Children and University College London has highlighted the importance of stimulating toddlers’ brains, claiming that nearly 130,000 children per year are falling behind before they even reach school. The report, ‘Lighting Up Young Brains’, highlights the fact that toddlers’ brains form connections at double the rate of adults’, […]
Latest Ofsted statistics show drop in childminder numbers
The ‘Childcare providers and inspections as at 31 December 2015’ statistics – released today from Ofsted – show a 2% decline in the number of childminders in the UK since August 2015. Since 2012 this number has dropped by more than 10,000, and the number of providers of childcare on non-domestic premises has also […]