Childcare News

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak has revealed changes to the Job Support Scheme (JSS) - set to replace furlough in November. On 22nd October, he announced increased support for jobs and workers hit by COVID restrictions after growing pressure from...

The boss of nursery chain Tops Day Nurseries has warned of a looming staffing crisis as the furlough scheme is set to end at the end of this month. She has been joined by other leading childcare providers from across the South in expressing...

The government has announced that its Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to protect jobs and support businesses required to close their doors as a result of coronavirus restrictions. It will pay two thirds of employees’ salaries to...

The government has issued updated guidance for education providers regarding the NHS COVID-19 app which gives valuable and relevant advice for all settings. The NHS COVID-19 app is a key part of the country’s ongoing coronavirus response, aiming...

Press release from ICP Nurseries. ICP Nurseries has once again been named by parents and carers as one of the Top 20 nursery groups in the UK 2020 from the leading day nurseries review site, daynurseries.co.uk. ICP Nurseries have been highly...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries, Gillingham. Tops Day Nurseries on Marlott Road, Gillingham have been recognised as an Outstanding nursery after a recent visit from the Tops Day Nurseries Audit and Compliance Quality Team. Tops Day...

Paul Joyce, Deputy Ofsted’s Director for Further Education and Skills, discusses its further education and skills pilot visits and insists that Ofsted “is not here to make life difficult”. In July, we reported that Ofsted announced its intention...

The Children’s Commissioner has issued a report entitled “Childhood in the time of COVID-19” which includes recommendations for early years settings. In her introduction to the report, Anne Longfield OBE says: “Children have fewer health risks...

Boris Johnson has announced that a new "lifetime skills guarantee" from the government will offer a fully-funded college course to all people over the age of 18 in England who do not hold an A-level or equivalent qualification. Since 2013,...

The media has reported that there have been a number of cases of childcare staff being unable to work after experiencing difficulties getting coronavirus tests, which has caused widespread staff shortages within the industry. According to...

The government is intending to put new legislation in place to help more apprentices that have been made redundant complete their course and achieve their qualification. A Statutory Instrument (SI) has been laid in parliament that will allow the...

New parents are being invited to have their say – via a new online survey - on what support they need, and how it is best delivered, so that every baby is given the best start in life, no matter what their circumstances. New parents, health...

Press release from Tops Day Nursery With everyone adapting to the new normal, children from Tops Day Nurseries Havant decided to check in on their elderly friends at Southlands Nursing Home by making them cards and pictures with the hope of...

Many early years settings face a difficult time ahead and are bracing themselves for further financial problems as a result of the virus crisis, with more at risk of closure, a new report warns. A total loss of income from parent fees would have...

The TUC has called on the government to expand the furlough scheme beyond October for parents without the childcare they need, as well as asking for companies to provide more flexibility for working parents. The lack of access to childcare...

On 3rd September, the Department for Education published its EYFS Development Matters guidance as some early adopter schools start the updated EYFS curriculum ahead of its wider release next year. For clarification, the guidance states: “The...

The learning gap between rich and poor primary age pupils in England has widened for the first time since 2007, analysis of government data suggests. In addition, figures for both primary and secondary education show progress in helping poorer...

The Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have released a statement on the evidence of risks and benefits to health from schools and childcare settings reopening. It states that...

The Department for Education has announced an additional £23 million in funding for maintained nursery schools for the 2021 summer term. Children’s Minister Vicky Ford said that this new funding would “enable local authorities to provide them...

A report published on 5th August from the Social Mobility Commission reveals that early years childcare workers are leaving the industry, blighted by low pay, long hours and poor prospects. The study says the workforce is "increasingly...

A new ‘childcare costs grant’ up to the value of £2,000 has been launched exclusively for care workers. This grant is available from the Care Workers Charity (CWC), as part of the charity's Coronavirus Emergency Fund, launched in March for care...

Ofsted has announced that from September this year, it will start to re-visit nurseries and childminders to ensure standards are being maintained and “well-run, safe and effective childcare is available for all who need it.” It has published its...

Press release from Child First Aylesbury Nursery Léla and Karen from Child First Aylesbury Nursery walked 5 miles across Aylesbury as part of the ‘Not the Midnight Walk’ to raise funds for the Florence Nightingale hospice.  Their superb efforts...

Parents who have paid into childcare voucher schemes are being denied refunds by their employers, despite not being able to use the vouchers during lockdown. Some say they have built up balances of more than £1,000. Although the tax-efficient...

A "perfect storm" of rising childcare costs and providers closing down could make it "impossible" for some parents to return to work amid the coronavirus pandemic, Labour says. The opposition party says childcare costs in England have risen up...

In response to alleged unfair practices caused by COVID-19 disruptions, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published an open letter to the early years sector, on the subject of dealing with parents (consumers) during the pandemic. The...

Press release from Little Adventurers nursery and preschool. Little Adventurers held their Annual Staff Awards evening ‘virtually’ via zoom! The Nursery’s Management Team feel so strongly about showing their team just how much they value them...

Press release from Mereworth CP School Teachers at Mereworth CP School recreated Wimbledon for the enjoyment of its year six pupils last week. The sporting event attracted the attention of BBC’s The One Show and presenter Richie Anderson who was...

The Labour party has warned the UK's economic recovery could be delayed, unless emergency funding is provided to help nurseries and childcare providers hit by the coronavirus crisis. Shadow education minister Tulip Siddiq has urged the...

The children’s commissioner, Anne Longfield has urged ministers to overhaul early years services in England, stating that the whole pre-school sector needs reform, as well as additional funding to prevent mass closures of settings. As well as an...

Literacy experts have claimed that the new baseline assessment for four- and five-year olds has "no diagnostic value", and provides "no mechanism through which to promote positive outcomes for children”. It is also reported that Reception...

New research has revealed that within the early years sector, a lack of staff training - together with resource pressures - is making it more difficult to identify children with special educational needs. This latest study, conducted by the...

The chancellor has today unveiled a ‘kickstart jobs scheme’ for young people in his summer statement, meaning that companies will now be given £2000 each to encourage them to hire apprentices aged 16-24; and £1500 for apprentices aged over 25....

Press release from Little Adventurers Nursery Little Adventurers Nursery enjoyed belated 5th birthday celebrations on Monday (6th July) with a personal visit from a classic Ice Cream van from Piccadilly Whip! A wonderful two-tier birthday cake,...

The Government and 48 early years sector representative bodies have submitted their responses to the EYFS Reforms consultation, which received a total of 2,452 responses in total. The Government’s response can be read here, in full, but in...

The Department for Education has published new guidance for early years settings, including removing the need for children to be in “small consistent groups” - commonly known as ‘bubbles’. This will take place from 20th July. Nurseries will...

The prime minister has promised to offer an “opportunity guarantee” that will give “every young person the chance of an apprenticeship or an in-work placement” to boost the economy post Covid-19. The finer details of the policy were not revealed...

A £1bn fund to help England's children catch up on what they have missed while schools have been closed has been announced by the prime minister. However, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are not included in this 'catch-up' funding plan....

As childcare providers prepare to re-open, they face huge financial losses and could well have to recoup these from parents or risk going bust, experts have warned. Parents may be forced to pay up to 10% more for childcare or potentially quit...

A recent survey has revealed that on average, fathers in the UK are spending longer - 58% longer - looking after their children in lockdown than they would usually do. In the run up to Father’s Day, The Fatherhood Institute revealed that...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries: Cheryl Hadland, Managing Director of Tops Day Nurseries, has recently published her brand new book: Creating an Eco-Friendly Early Years Setting. Proceeds of the book will go to the charity, GECCO, because...

Press release form Christopher Robin Day Nurseries To support social distancing measures across its five locations, Christopher Robin Day Nurseries is asking parents to check-in remotely using their smartphones when dropping off and picking up...

On 2nd  June, the DfE updated its “Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak” outlining its restructured guidance in line with wider opening. The full guidance can be read here, but new sections have been...

It’s no surprise that disruption to our workforce, caused by the impact of Covid-19, has had a huge impact on working families’ lives. A big challenge (for working mums in particular) is how to balance paid work with caring responsibilities....

Seventy one per cent of early years settings who were able to welcome all children back from 1st  June are expected to run at a loss until September, according to a ‘snapshot survey’ conducted by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). A...

Press Release from:Tops Day Nurseries Tops Day Nurseries Babbacombe made the difficult decision to close its doors last month due to government advice and lack of numbers. Just a few weeks later, the nursery have welcomed back a number of...

A ‘catch-up’ programme for four- and five-year-olds could be "crucial" to closing the disadvantage gap that will "inevitably widen" while schools are closed, new research suggests. The programme, designed to improve children's language...

The Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced £76 million of extra funding to support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and vulnerable children and their families and victims of modern slavery. A change to the existing rules...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson didn’t reference the early years sector during his much-anticipated update on Sunday evening regarding his plans to ease the current coronavirus lockdown. He announced that some primary pupils (reception, Year 1 and...

A recent survey revealed that a quarter of early years childcare providers predict that they will have to permanently close due to the coronavirus lockdown, potentially leaving the sector “on the brink of collapse”. Almost half of providers say...

Press release from: Tops Day Nurseries The Souths leading chain of day nurseries have received a donation of visor masks for childcare colleagues, made by Lytchett Minster School in Dorset. With fewer students at the school, Design &...

Over the last few weeks, everyone’s lives have changed in a way that no one could ever have imagined. Things are very different and who knows what ‘normal’ will look like in the future. Meanwhile, we all have to deal with an ever-changing world...

Press release from UK Nanny. United Kingdom 29th April 2020 – Four leading childcare and education professionals came together from all parts of the UK to launch Nannies Matter campaign after lengthy discussions during the Covid-19 lockdown. The...

Children’s Minister Vicky Ford has issued a strong rebuttal to these claims that the Government has backtracked over furlough funding. Speaking at the Education Select Committee meeting on 22 April, she said, ‘There has never been a change in...

Labour’s shadow childcare minister has warned that the government’s decision to withdraw furlough funding for early years providers will “cripple” nurseries and force many to shut. On 22nd April, Tulip Siddiq urged ministers to rethink the...

The Department for Education has announced changes to existing early years guidance which will allow councils to move around government funding for the 'free entitlement' scheme in "exceptional circumstances" to make sure sufficient childcare...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries. The recent restriction on childcare eligibility announced by the government has made it extremely difficult and non-viable for some nurseries to remain open. Recent reports have shown that Key Worker...

The government has confirmed that apprentices can continue with their funded training, when their employer uses the job retention scheme, as long as they are paid the apprenticeship minimum wage “for all the time they spend training”. HMRC...

The emergency loans scheme for businesses struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic has been revamped following strong criticism and developments will be watched closely by the early years sector. The Treasury said it had received more...

Early years foundation stage profile will not take place this year, but teachers  should still follow framework. The early years foundation stage will still apply "in full" despite the coronavirus outbreak, the government has said. However,...

Updated guidance from HMRC states childcare staff can be placed on furlough more than once. HMRC has clarified that childcare staff can be placed on furlough more than once, giving nurseries the flexibility to ‘unfurlough’ and ‘refurlough’ staff...

Local Councillor, Marilyn Ashton, was joined by Boys & Girls Nursery Director Natasha Kirby and Nursery Manager Denise Brown today as they officially opened a brand new garden and play area for children at Boys & Girls Nursery, based in...

Press release from ICP Nurseries. ICP Nurseries are thrilled to announce they have been selected as the Apprentice Employer of the Year 2020 by Eden Training Solutions. ICP Nurseries have been recognised for their commitment to training and...

Schools have been told they have an extra year to bring their curriculum into line with Ofsted’s new inspection framework, after it announced an extension to its transition period. The new framework, which places greater emphasis on curriculum...

Although not a new notion, early years experts have said that there is now a “wealth of evidence” that a child’s month of birth has an impact on academic grades and sporting achievements. The latest Department for Education (DfE) data shows that...

Following the recent Cabinet reshuffle which saw Gavin Williamson hold on to his position of Education Minister, last Friday (14th February) Gillian Keegan was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education -...

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori School. All the children at Milton Hall Montessori School have learned about the Australian official national day and how it has evolved over time to celebrate Australia and all of its people. During the...

Press release from Bright Little Stars Nursery. Bright Little Stars Nursery won ‘Best Website’ at the National Nursery Recognition Awards 2020. We are absolutely overjoyed with this achievement and so pleased to also be a finalist for ‘Best...

It was confirmed last Friday by the chief medical officer for England that two people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.  The two Chinese nationals were located in York, but are now being treated at Royal Victoria Infirmary in...

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has launched a UK-wide survey to help improve the lives of our under-fives. Kensington Palace said the five-question online survey aims to "spark a national conversation" to help create "lasting change...

Press release from ICP Nurseries. ICP Nurseries has been honoured with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, for being one of the Best Places to Work in 2020. This award recognises employers that shine the brightest according to those who know...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries. Simon Hoare MP has met with local childcare provider Cheryl Hadland of Tops Day Nurseries at Tops Gillingham Nursery and pledged his commitment to support local childcare providers. Simon Hoare MP joined...

Press release from Tops Wareham. This January, staff and children at Tops Wareham celebrated the nursery’s 20th birthday. The afternoon welcomed special guests including Marty Mouse as well as previous parents, children and staff members to...

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School. At Milton Hall Montessori School we did lots of activities and learning about how Chinese people around the world celebrate Chinese New Year. We learned that Chinese New Year is an...

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School. The children at Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School recently embarked on a village walk to Royal Holloway University in Egham. Several children at the setting were very curious about...

Press release from Bright Kids Nursery. There were celebrations all round last week as an award-winning local nursery group’s flagship setting marked its 21st birthday! Set up by Bright Kids Group Owner and local entrepreneur Tricia Wellings,...

It has been revealed that £63.5m of childcare funding has been used to plug financial gaps in other areas of the education budget. A report by the NDNA found that 74% of councils are redirecting these funds to alternative areas of their...

In the lead up to National Apprenticeship week (3-7 February), a study has revealed that in the past 20 years, the number of teenagers working has almost halved, with many choosing to prioritise study over part-time work. The recent Resolution...

The Department for Education has reiterated its support for the early years sector after an industry leader challenged the DfE, saying nurseries are struggling due to early years settings continuing to be under-valued by the government. Alice...

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori Performance of The Christmas Story by children at Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School in Englefield Green was well-received by many proud parents. Every child at the school dressed up and took part in...

Why has music survived as long as it has? For the longest time, science has asked this question – why is music still a part of our lives today? Since the beginning of time, people have recorded their everyday activities: from the Egyptian...

Kids Collective, the award-winning childcare provider that runs holiday, breakfast and after-school clubs across Cheshire visited CAFT and generously donated £1,000, alongside dozens of Christmas selection boxes for the children. The Children’s...

Press release from Little Adventurers Nursery in Cranham. Nursery staff from Little Adventurers Nursery in Cranham are keen to support local charities and community projects and this Christmas they decided it was all about socks! Along with...

It’s a huge week ahead for the future of the United Kingdom. By the end of the week we will know who our Prime Minister is for the foreseeable future; and which political party (or parties in the case of a coalition) will navigate the country...

Despite an order by the Information Commissioner (ICO), the Department for Education has refused to publish how it calculated its funding rates for the 30 hours childcare. We reported last month on the encouraging news that DfE ministers were...

Early years settings should be able to ban sugary and junk food from lunchboxes, according to a new survey. The poll, carried out by daynurseries.co.uk, which questioned 1,000 nursery owners, managers and staff, found that 73% are in favour of...

The Living Wage Foundation has announced that the new threshold for the real living hourly wage in the UK has increased to £9.30 in the UK overall, and £10.75 in London. This equates to an increase of 30p per hour in the UK, and 20p in London....

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori Children, parents and staff at Milton Hall Montessori raised a fantastic £125.31 for BBC Children in Need this last week. The School raised the funds through selling raffle tickets to win a prize of a...