Early years providers in Wales given permanent business rates relief from Welsh government
The temporary business rate relief announced in 2019 has now been made permanent by the Welsh Government.
Families face rising early years costs for families and setting closures as providers warns of the impact of National Insurance and minimum wage rises, Alliance survey finds
Parents are set to face rising early years costs and setting closures as the early years sector grapples with the impact of increases in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) and minimum wages, a new Early Years Alliance survey of just over 1,000 early years providers has warned.
Pregnant Then Screwed research shows a quarter of parents could leave the workforce if early years costs rise by 10%
A 10% rise in early years costs could lead to parents needing to leave the workforce, according to Pregnant Then Screwed survey results.
Chancellor confirms national living wage and minimum wage increases in Autumn Budget 2024
National living wage and minimum wage will both undergo significant increases, Chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves announced at today’s Autumn Budget.
Government confirms spending on early years priorities will be protected ahead of Autumn Budget
Chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves confirms steps to protect early years priorities as part of the Labour Party’s first Budget since being elected to government.
NEW benefit for baby and toddler group members
The Alliance’s Policies and procedures for baby and toddler groups are now available.
Research reveals barriers to take-up of early education entitlements for disadvantaged children
A range of barriers are preventing disadvantaged children in England from taking up their entitlement to 15 hours of funded early education, a new study has warned.
Department for Education confirms planned changes to early years safeguarding requirements
The Department for Education has today published its response to the recent consultation on safeguarding in the early years.
Schools-based nursery plan opens with first round of funding
The first round of funding launches for up to 300 school-based nurseries today, as part of the government’s plan to increase early education capacity.
Government announces plans to clarify statutory guidance on charging parents additional fees
by Jess Gibson The Department for Education has today announced that it plans to clarify current statutory guidance on charging additional fees to parents accessing the funded entitlement offers. The government has said that this is in response to “reported instances of parents facing very high additional charges on top of the funded entitlement hours”, […]
Average access to early years settings across England has declined, Ofsted analysis shows
Ofsted data analysis published today shows that average access to early years settings in England has fallen since March 2020.
Low maternity pay forcing new mums to return to work after 12 weeks, says charity
Four in 10 mothers were forced to take 12 weeks or less of maternity leave as a result of low maternity pay, according to a new survey carried out by charity Pregnant Then Screwed survey.