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Early years digital qualification checking service introduced following successful pilot

An early years qualification-checking digital service is set to be introduced, the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed.

Government announces new early years teacher degree apprenticeship standard

A new Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (EYTDA) standard has been published by the government.

DfE introduces experience-based route guidance following consultation response

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed the details of the new experience-based route for early educators to gain approved status to work within staff:child ratios at Level 3.

Public Accounts Committee report calls for reform of children and young people’s SEND provision

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in England requires urgent reform, according to a report released by the Public Accounts Committee.

Alliance raises concerns about likely underestimated impact of National Insurance changes on early years providers

The government is potentially underestimating the full impact of National Insurance (NI) changes on the early years sector, the Early Years Alliance has warned.

£126 million government funding boost for families to access early years support

Families are set to receive a £126 million funding boost aimed at increasing early years support, the government has announced.

New IFS report shows sector set to continue to face financial pressures despite funding uplifts

Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has concluded that despite recent increases in early years funding, providers are set to continue to face significant financial pressures. The IFS’ Annual Report on England Spending in England, highlighted that while early years spending has doubled in real-terms since 2010, it does not go far enough to […]

New DfE statistics highlight sharp rises in early years fees for parents

Average parent-paid fees for early years places increased steeply between 2023 and 2024, new statistics published today by the Department for Education (DfE) show.

‘Mission-led’ government must centre vulnerable children, says safeguarding review panel

The government must ensure that at-risk children are at the heart of strategies to break down barriers to opportunity, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has stated in its latest annual report.

Early years entitlement funding rates for local authorities announced

Local authority funding rates for the early years entitlement from March 2025 to April 2026 have been set, the government has confirmed.

DfE confirms £75 million expansion grant and pupil premium funding increase for early years settings

A new £75 million grant, alongside an increase in Early Years Pupil Premium funding rates, has been announced by the Department for Education (DfE) today.

Government announces over £2 billion boost to secure expansion in early education

Early years settings are to receive an additional £2 billion to support the rollout of 30 hours of government-funded early education from September 2025, the government has stated.