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Scouts turn focus on pre-schoolers

Analysis

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Youth organisation launches programme supporting four- and five-year-olds in disadvantaged areas.

Childcare funding in spotlight

Analysis

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Early years experts outline changes needed to ease financial pressures as parliamentary inquiry launched.

Resolving childcare apprenticeship

Analysis

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Providers' groups say more must be done to ensure childcare apprenticeship works for employers.

Focus on 30 hours limits places for disadvantaged two-year-olds

Analysis

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Research shows take-up of funded childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds lags far behind that of three- and four-year-olds. Providers say insufficient funding makes it uneconomical to create two-year-old places.

Early years groups call for action on protecting children's centres

Analysis

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

After a consultation on the role of children's centres is scrapped, providers challenge ministers to present a bold vision for their future and incorporate this into a government-wide review of support for families.

Five ways councils can get more from 30 hours funded childcare

Analysis

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

As the second year of 30 hours funded childcare approaches, James Hempsall outlines what council leaders need to do to ensure the policy reaches those eligible and delivers on early years and social mobility duties.

Mapping children's centre cuts

Analysis

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Experts challenge minister's assertion that poorest areas have not seen children's centres closed.

Will reception test be beneficial?

Analysis

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

The government is to develop a rating of pupils' ability when they enter reception, but experts disagree on whether it will be a good measure of schools' work and improve the education that children receive.

Childcare feels the Brexit effect

Analysis

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Childcare's reliance on staff from the EU means Brexit could exacerbate early years workforce crisis.

Creating more 30-hour places

Analysis

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Figures suggest access to free childcare is getting more difficult, with early years leaders calling for changes.

'Buddies' boost for 30-hour places

Analysis

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Department for Education hopes "buddy" scheme will help councils to create enough childcare places.

Social mobility's early opportunities

Analysis

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

First six areas delivering social mobility initiative will focus on language and literacy development

Can EYTs fix the attainment gap?

Analysis

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

A Fair Education Alliance report calls for nurseries in deprived areas to employ an early years teacher (EYT), but opinion is split on whether this is the best way to tackle the attainment gap for poorer children.

30 hours free childcare: the key elements to making it a success

Analysis

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

As England braces itself for the introduction of 30 hours free childcare for three- and four-year-olds amid concerns over funding, early years experts outline how to ensure the policy is implemented successfully.

Promoting social mobility early

Analysis

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Founder and chief executive of Achievement for All assesses Social Mobility Commission's recommendations for boosting early education

New parliament: what issues lie ahead for the children's sector?

Analysis

Thursday, June 29, 2017

The loss of its overall majority has been politically costly for the government, but it has also caused policy upheaval and ministerial changes affecting children's services. Sector leaders consider the implications.