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 […]
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 […]
Alliance to give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee
The Pre-school Learning Alliance has been invited to give oral evidence to the Public Accounts Committee as part of its enquiry into the free early education entitlement. The evidence session, which will take place at the House of Commons on Wednesday, will focus on the recent National Audit Office report, which raised concerns about […]
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, […]