Latest News & Blogs

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  NEWS: Face covering guidance to remain until 17 May at earliest

  Yesterday (6 April) the Government announced that guidance around the use of face coverings indoors in education settings will continue after the Easter break in England. This means that staff and adult visitors as well as pupils in year 7 and above should use face coverings in the ‘recommended circumstances’ set out in the Face coverings in education guidance.

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  NEWS: Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee launches in England

  From today (1 April 2021) eligible adults in England will be able to sign up to the range of courses and qualifications free of charge as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee offer.

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  NEWS: New Nanny Scheme in Wales/Cynllun Nani Newydd yng Nghymru

  The Approval of Home Childcare Providers (Wales) Scheme 2021 opens today / Mae Cymeradwyo Cynllun Darparwyr Gofal Plant yn y Cartref (Cymru) 2021 yn agor heddiw.

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  NEWS: Government publishes EYFS framework for September 2021

  Today the Department for Education has published the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework which will be laid before Parliament to come into force in England on 1 September 2021.

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  BLOG: Resources for educational recovery - Autism Awareness Week 2021

  Lockdown and the pandemic has been difficult for all of us, but it affected autistic people and their families disproportionately. Uncertainty and change are particularly challenging for autistic people to deal with. But you can do something to help.

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  NEWS: Ofsted announces its return to inspections in England

  Ofsted has today updated the ‘current activity’ section of its Ofsted COVID-19 rolling update with further information about the plans for inspection and regulatory work of early years and childcare providers in England.

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  NEWS: Frequently asked questions on funding allocations in 2021-22

  The Government recently announced its approach for early years funding allocations in England during the spring term 2021 and beyond. We have answered some of your questions about this here. 

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  BLOG: Staying Safe in Cyber Space

  In an increasingly digital world, early years and childcare providers are reliant on technology now, more than ever. The move towards keeping digital records about children in your care is a welcome escape from the physical paperwork, but storing that data comes with responsibility. Read our tips from NCSC and Kinderly on safeguarding your setting from a cyber attack or incident. 

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  NEWS: Changes to the Test and Trace support payment for parents in England

  Parents and carers of children in England who have been advised to self-isolate by their education setting or by NHS Test and Trace are now able to apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment or discretionary payment of £500, if they meet the eligibility criteria.

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  NEWS: Update regarding home testing and shielding guidance

  The DfE has issued further information on the expansion of home testing in England to childminders and others in ‘related occupations’ and shared an announcement on shielding guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable which will be paused from 1 April 2021. 

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  NEWS: Childminders and nannies in England offered home testing kits

  After weeks of uncertainty, childminders and nannies in England will now be able to order lateral flow test kits for regular asymptomatic Covid-testing at home thanks to ongoing lobbying PACEY has undertaken, with help from our members.

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  NEWS: DfE update to early years funding for Summer and Autumn terms

  Today the Department for Education has set out its approach to funding Early Years over the next financial year,and has issued updated guidance to reflect this.