April 2024

NEWS: Watchdog report highlights significant barriers to early years expansion

NEWS: Watchdog report highlights significant barriers to early years expansion

Today the National Audit Office (NAO) has published a new report highlighting concerns around the Department for Education’s plans to expand the funded early years offer in England.  

24/04/2024

NEWS: DfE launches new consultations for early years providers in England

NEWS: DfE launches new consultations for early years providers in England

On Monday 22 April, the Department for Education (DfE) launched two new consultations for early years providers in England with proposals for strengthening safeguarding requirements and a new experience-based route for practitioners to gain approved status to work within staff:child ratios. 

23/04/2024

NEWS: Government releases data on the expansion

NEWS: Government releases data on the expansion

40,000 additional staff required for September 2025 and 85,000 new childcare placed needed, says DfE.

19/04/2024

NEWS: Recent calls for a reintroduction of Sure Start-style investment in families

NEWS: Recent calls for a reintroduction of Sure Start-style investment in families

Last week, new research published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies outlined significant positive impacts of Sure Start for children in England.

15/04/2024

NEWS: General election build-up

NEWS: General election build-up

Labour pledges to keep the entitlement scheme whilst Lib Dems call for national special needs agency. 

09/04/2024