Tax-free childcare scheme and 30-hours offer launch online
Parents of three- and four-year-olds can now sign up for the 30-hour offer online Working parents can now apply for the government’s 30-hours offer and tax-free childcare scheme using a new digital service. The tax-free childcare has been rolled out to parents of children who will be aged under four on 31 August […]
New EduCare programme now available for Alliance members
Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning is now available free for Alliance members The Alliance has launched a new online training programme on the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning, available to access for free for all Alliance members and their teams. The programme explores the ways that children learn and guides practitioners […]
Government publishes 30-hours operational guidance
Guidance for providers and local authorities is made available ahead of the pre-election period The government has published operational guidance on the 30-hours offer for providers and local authorities ahead of the scheme’s roll-out in September. The guide is designed to explain the rules around the delivery of the free entitlement offer, including information […]
Prime Minister calls for snap general election
Theresa May announces plans for election to be held on 8 June Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans to hold a general election on 8 June, after “reluctantly” realising that it was necessary ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union in 2019. May has previously refused to call an early […]
Study links touchscreen use to missed sleep in toddlers
Each hour spent using a tablet leads to 16 minutes less sleep Toddlers who use a touchscreen spend less time sleeping at night, according to a new study conducted at Birkbeck University and King’s College, University of London. The researchers surveyed 715 parents about their child’s use of touchscreen and typical sleep patterns, […]
Government invests additional £50m in capital grants for providers
Additional investment said to create 9,000 new places ahead of the 30-hours roll out The government has announced that it is investing a further £50 million in capital grants for childcare providers. Settings who were not awarded grants in the original oversubscribed round were reconsidered for a second round of funding, and the […]
Ofsted launches new ‘good’ logo for providers
Early years providers can now use a ‘good provider’ or ‘outstanding provider’ logo Ofsted has launched a new logo for early years, education and children’s social care providers that have been rated ‘good’. The organisation has also updated its ‘outstanding’ logo. The logos were created in response to feedback from providers and are […]
Less than half of providers plan to offer 30-hours, survey suggests
Alliance survey finds that government is at risk of failing to deliver on 30-hours offer Fewer than half of the country’s childcare providers are currently planning to sign up to the government’s 30-hour offer, according to a new survey conducted by the Alliance. The Alliance surveyed 1,332 childcare providers in March 2017 about […]
Baseline assessments could return after government consultation
Education secretary announces proposals to change assessments for primary school children Reception children could face a baseline test shortly after starting under proposals revealed in a new consultation launched today. The Department for Education has put forward plans to scrap SAT tests for children aged seven in favour of a baseline assessment at […]
Government launches Childcare Choices website
New parent website to share information about 30-hours and tax-free childcare The government has launched a new website, Childcare Choices, to help parents check what childcare support is be available to them as it prepares to roll out the 30-hour funded childcare offer and tax-free childcare later this year. The website includes a […]
Alliance extends Fair Future Funding campaign to include parents
Dedicated mini-site will explain funding concerns to parents The Alliance has announced that it is extending its Fair Future Funding campaign to parents. The campaign will be launching a dedicated mini-site to help them understand current concerns about funding for the early years sector. In the meantime, parents can sign up as a supporter of […]
Childcare minimum wage report “misleading”, says Alliance
Family and Childcare Trust report claims that one in 10 childcare workers are underpaid The Alliance has criticised a report from the Family and Childcare Trust which claims that up to 22,000 childcare practitioners are being paid at a rate below the minimum wage. The report claims that one in 10 practitioners are […]