Andrea Leadsom's group seeks to plug gaps for 0-2s

18 February 2019 | by Katy Morton

A new cross-Government ministerial group, chaired by the leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom MP, has been working to identify gaps in support and services for families from when a child is conceived up to the age of two.

Parents putting off toilet training with some relying on nurseries

06 February 2019 | by Meredith Jones Russell

More children are being toilet trained later, according to a new survey of early years staff.

One in four mothers unsure about how to wean their baby

06 February 2019 | by Catherine Gaunt

A Government-backed campaign aims to help parents with weaning and tackle widespread myths about the signs a baby is ready to try their first solid foods.

Childcare may prevent emotional and behavioural problems later

03 October 2018 | by Catherine Gaunt

Children who spend some time in formal childcare are less likely to have behavioural problems than those that are cared for solely at home, according to new research.

Exposure to germs could prevent childhood leukaemia

23 May 2018 | by Catherine Gaunt

Exposing children to common harmless bugs, for example at nursery, could help prevent the most common type of childhood cancer.

Labour commits to introducing an additional health check for all babies

19 April 2018 | by Katy Morton

Labour’s shadow health secretary has pledged to introduce an additional health check for babies, as part of the party's commitment to making Britain’s children the healthiest in the world.

BookTrust names free books for under-fives in 2018

11 January 2018 | by Meredith Jones Russell

Ed Vere's Max the Brave and David Melling's 123 Splosh will be sent out to 1.2m young children and their families this year.

SEED: qualifications and CPD highlighted in quality report

08 December 2017 | by Catherine Gaunt

We summarise the latest findings from the Government-funded Study of Early Education and Development (SEED).

SEED: Early years quality on the rise across the country

07 December 2017 | by Catherine Gaunt

The quality of early education and childcare in nurseries has risen over the past 15 years, and staff qualification levels appear to have improved, according to the latest findings of the Government-funded SEED study.

More children to be eligible for funded two-year-old places

05 December 2017 | by Catherine Gaunt

Around 8,000 more disadvantaged children will be eligible for funded two-year-old places under universal credit, according to plans put out by the Department for Education for consultation.