Big Issues

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Coronavirus

Follow the latest stories and advice on the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on early years settings, schools and families

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Ofsted Education Inspection Framework

Ofsted's new inspection framework for early years, schools and colleges came into force in September 2019.

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Closing the Gap

The latest news, features and views on closing the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children and the literacy gap.

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Child Poverty

Figures suggest the number of children currently living in poverty in the UK is growing. We look at the reasons behind this, its impact on children and their families and explore what can be done.

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Intergenerational Care

The co-location of nurseries and care homes is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. We look at the thinking behind intergenerational care, the latest developments and examples of best practice.

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Apprenticeships

The latest news and features on apprenticeships, including the sector's first-ever Early years Educator apprenticeship standard, at Level 3.

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Reception Baseline

The latest news and views on the Government's controversial decision to introduce the Reception baseline. Due to become law in September 2020, following a trial and a pilot in 2019, our coverage in...

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Tax-Free Childcare

The Government's Tax-Free Childcare scheme was launched in April 2017 and allows working parents to claim back £2,000 a year on childcare costs. Follow the progress of the scheme.

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T-Levels

The Education and Childcare T-Level is one of the first of three T-levels coming in from 2020. The new two-year vocational college-based course will be equivalent to three A-Levels.

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Mental Health & Well-Being

A look at how mental health and well-being affects early years practitioners and young children.

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Maintained Nursery Schools

Local authority maintained nursery schools' fight for survival amid underfunding and council cuts.

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Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

The topic of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the early years, including the Code of Practice, legislation, support and funding.

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30 Hours Free Childcare

From September 2017, working parents of three- and four-year-olds have been eligible for 30 hours of free childcare. Follow the progress of the Government's flagship policy as it develops.

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Level 3 Early Years Educator

We take a look at the latest on the Level 3 qualification, including apprenticeships, recruitment and the Government's consultation on the GCSE rules.

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Child Obesity

With childhood obesity on the rise, we look at the research behind the headlines, what can be done to reverse the trend and the Government's obesity strategy.

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Childminder Agencies

Launched in September 2014, we look at the thinking behind the introduction of childminder agencies and how they have progressed.

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Free Early Education for Disadvantaged Two-year-olds

Twenty per cent of two-year-olds will become eligible for an early education place from September 2013, rising to 40 per cent in 2014-15. Follow the progress of the Government's programme.

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Childcare Costs

Politicians, think-tanks, parents and those in the early years sector all want their say on how childcare can be made more affordable. Follow the story here as the Childcare Commission prepares to...

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Children's Speech & Language

What are the problems and what action is being taken to solve them?

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Free Schools & Academies

The free school programme has proved to be controversial. Will it add parental choice or disadvantage existing schools? Follow the Government's plan to establish free schools around the country

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Review of The Early Years Foundation Stage

News, views and advice as the Government reviews the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Men in Childcare

All the latest news and views on moves to attract more men to working with young children. Will fresh initiatives to increase the proportion of males in childcare have a significant effect?

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Synthetic Phonics

Read the views of fans and critics of synthetic phonics as the Government insists on its rigorous use for teaching young children to read.

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Fathers

News, tips and guidance on working with fathers, covering everything from paternity leave to ways to encourage Dads to join in at nursery

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Cuts to Sure Start Children's Centres

As local authorities struggle to deal with budget cuts, children's centres around the country are at risk of closure.

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Vanessa George Nursery Abuse Case

What should nurseries and practitioners be doing to protect children from paedophiles? We look at the issues surrounding the Vanessa George abuse case.

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Funding

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