News archive

Three out of four eligible children take up 30 hours, with greater role for childminders

The Department for Education has published the annual Early Years Census, which reveals that a majority of eligible two-three-, and four-year-olds are accessing funded early education in a good or outstanding setting. The DfE estimates that three out of four eligible children are taking up 30 hours, and more childminders are delivering funded places than ever before.

28/06/2018

No end to childminder slump in sight

Ofsted have released their statistics on childcare providers and inspections in England covering the period between 31 December 2017 and 31 March 2018.

27/06/2018

Key updates from Ofsted

After PACEY attended an Ofsted consultative forum, there are a number of updates that we are able to share with our members. These include Ofsted IT updates, online notification changes and certificate changes.

25/06/2018

DRAFT Revised Early Learning goals released

The Department for Education has released pilot versions of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' and 'Early years foundation stage profile 2018 handbook' in advance of its plan to trial their proposed changes to the EYFS Profile with twenty-five schools in England.The pilots, which start in Sept, will assess if the proposed changes will help to reduce teacher workload

25/06/2018

Updated guidance on early education and childcare

The Department for Education has updated its full range guidance on government-funded early education and childcare for providers and local authorities, including the statutory guidance, the operational guidance, and the model agreement.

21/06/2018

PACEY calls to end the English ban on childminders providing places to related children

New research from PACEY (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) has highlighted that tens of thousands of registered childminders in England are missing out on vital income because they are not permitted to offer places to any related children. This is contrast to their colleagues in nurseries and pre-schools in England – and other childminders in Wales.

20/06/2018

Exciting news on the Childcare Offer for Wales

Following lobbying on the issue of childminders being unable to access Childcare Offer funding for Wales for related children, and a call for change from PACEY Cymru, Welsh Government have today confirmed revised guidance and also announced the areas for expansion of the Childcare Offer.

19/06/2018

Orbit online record keeping system to close

Users of the Orbit online record-keeping system are being urged to download their data from the system before the end of August 2018. On the 1st September 2018 all data stored on the system will be destroyed.

19/06/2018

Food and Nutrition for Child Care Settings in Wales

PACEY Cymru have been involved in supporting the Welsh Government to develop best practice guidance around Food and Nutrition for Child Care Settings which will soon be available to support childcare providers in providing healthy food and drinks in their childcare or play setting.

26/06/2018

PACEY submits evidence to life chances inquiry

PACEY has submitted evidence to the House of Commons Education Committee on the impact that the early years of a child's life have on their life chances. PACEY Chief Executive Liz Bayram also gave evidence in person to the Committee on 12 June.

13/06/2018

June 2018