Government funding rates based on “flimsy data”
DfE’s research into funding for the early years is criticised by the Alliance The research behind the government’s early years funding review has been criticised by the Alliance following its release through the Freedom of Information Act. The research was carried out by Deloitte on behalf of the Department for Education and was used, […]
53% of educators have no speech, language and communication training, survey finds
70% of early years providers say that a lack of funds holds back CPD on speech and language skills The majority of people working with children and young people have not had any formal training to support speech, language and communication skills, according to a new report from The Communication Trust. The Trust surveyed […]
Local authorities confused over 30-hours offer
Half of councils are not sure if they will be able to extend the 15-hours offer in September More than half of local authorities are unsure if there will be enough childcare places available in their area when the 30-hours’ free childcare entitlement is introduced this September, a new poll has found. According […]
Childcare report criticises EYFS
The Institute of Economic Affairs report argues in favour of scrapping government intervention in the childcare sector A new report has criticised the EYFS and argued against government-subsidised childcare and in favour of reduced regulation in the sector. The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) released a report titled Getting the state out of pre-school and childcare: […]
Alliance publishes funding rate database
Database of 2017/18 funding rates complied for early years providers The Alliance is creating a database of early years funding rates ahead of huge changes to the way places are funded for three- and four-year-olds. The government has already confirmed the final funding rates given to local authorities using the new Early Years […]
Tulip Siddiq resigns from frontbench
Shadow early years minister resigns from Labour’s shadow cabinet Tulip Siddiq has resigned from her role as shadow early years minister, after less than four months in the role. The MP quit as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn confirmed that Labour MPs would be expected to back the upcoming Article 50 bill, which will trigger the […]
Government expands 30-hour ‘free childcare’ trial
Dorest, Leicester, North Yorkshire and Tower Hamlets join the government’s 30 hours scheme ahead of schedule Four more councils have signed up to the government’s 30-hour ‘free childcare’ scheme, ahead of the nationwide roll-out in September. Eight councils have already been offering the hours as part of an ‘early implementer’ trial since September […]
SEED report identifies good practice for early years
Report says that skilled workforce and tailored curriculum are the key to success Tailored curriculums, skilled staff and an open culture have been highlighted as key features of good practice in early years. The government has released a report titled Good Practice in Early Education as part of its Study of Early Education […]
Four out of five parents say they will use 30-hour offer
Working parents say they are likely to take up additional funded hours in September Four out of five parents will take up additional funded childcare hours when the 30-hours offer comes into place, according to a Department for Education (DfE) report on parents’ views. A survey of 851 parents, conducted by Ipsos Mori […]
Government has underestimated demand for 30 hours scheme, says Alliance
Research by Ceeda suggests that tens of thousands could miss out on funded places The government has underestimated the level of demand for the 30-hour funded childcare offer, according to independent research commissioned by the Pre-school Learning Alliance and carried out by research company Ceeda. Based on a survey of 1,708 parents, Ceeda […]
Breakfast clubs offer working parents a “lifeline”
Research suggests that a third would give up work without support of breakfast clubs More than a quarter of parents believe that they or their partner would be forced out of work without the support of a breakfast club, a Kellogg’s study into the role of breakfast clubs has found. The company described […]
Half of working dads want to spend more time with their children
Modern Families Index report reveals that working dads want a better work-life balance Half of working fathers would prefer to have a less stressful job in order to spend more time taking care of their children, the latest Modern Families Index report has revealed. A third of the fathers surveyed about their views on […]