Early years & childcare news & best practice

EXCLUSIVE In Focus: 30 hours: the hidden cost

What price are the most vulnerable children paying for the Government’s flagship childcare policy? Our FOI investigation reveals that nearly a fifth of councils have cut nursery places in the past year...
Nursery Chains: League Tables - Changing times

Although the top of the table remains the same, this year’s top 25 ranking reveals evidence elsewhere of the shifting early years landscape. Catherine Gaunt reports
EYFS Best Practice in schools - Set to work?

Grouping by ability is growing in popularity despite evidence showing that it can have a range of negative impacts for children. Charlotte Goddard investigates
EYFS Activities: We’ve explored… butterflies

Children at one setting learned about the lifecycle of butterflies by caring for a disabled one, explains Annette Rawstrone

Latest News & Analysis

Projects to support disadvantaged children’s early learning win funding of £18m

Projects aimed at boosting home learning and improving training for professionals working with children with SEND, are among those that have been allocated a share of £18m in DfE funding.

Budget failings to cost nursery sector nearly half a billion pounds

The cost to private and voluntary nurseries of last month’s budget is £437m according to an analysis by the National Day Nurseries Association.

Call for national early intervention strategy

MPs are calling for a new national early intervention strategy to tackle childhood adversity and trauma, and are calling on the Government to hold the long-delayed consultation on children's centres.

Education Secretary questioned in Parliament over our 30 hours investigation

A leading MP has called for the Government to better evaluate the impact of its policies after our investigation found that the 30 hours offer is penalising disadvantaged children.