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

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More than 130 playgrounds close in two years

The number of playgrounds across England is falling rapidly, according to new research.

Parents' reading project aims to boost three-year-olds' language

A new study aims to find out whether 20 minutes a day of story activities can help parents boost their child’s language skills.

Nadhim Zahawi sets out next steps for £20m early years fund

The DfE is looking for a national training partner to take on the next stage of the Early Years Professional Development Fund, the children’s minister told delegates at the Nursery World Business Summit....

Projects to support disadvantaged children’s early learning awarded £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.