Childcare News

Childcare providers have been offered advice and guidance on how to protect sensitive data and safeguard staff and children by minimising the risk of a cyber security incident. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ - the UK’s...

Lateral flow devices for COVID-19 testing are starting to make their way into nurseries and pre-schools and staff have been told by the DfE that they are able to start using them from 22nd March. The existing government guidance on rapid lateral...

Press release from: Watermead Day Nursery This week is National Intergenerational Week, here at Watermead Day Nursery we are passionate about intergenerational activity and for several years our children have been visiting Longcliffe Nursing...

Press release from: Horn End Nurseries Our children at Horn End had been talking about Captain Tom and we had discussed how all superheroes don't wear cloaks! During the pandemic we have been holding regular special events to recreate the...

Early years chiefs have welcomed the announcement by the Department for Education that all staff from the private, voluntary and independent nurseries (PVI) sector will have access to lateral flow device (LFD) home tests twice-weekly as of 22nd...

In his spring budget, Rishi Sunak announced that the employer’s cash incentive for all apprentices will double to £3,000 as of 1st April 2021 and is set to continue until September 2021. The chancellor first introduced the financial incentive...

At the end of last month, the government announced that phase 2 of the vaccinations rollout will continue by age as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Public Health England (PHE). Following the first...

Ofsted has announced that it will not restart its early years assurance inspections in March as previously planned. Ofsted planned to return to inspections, to monitor whether childcare providers were meeting the EYFS requirements from 8th...

The Department for Education has reported that the number of COVID cases in nurseries has risen in January. The figures that the DfE released showed 582 reported cases in early year settings during the week of 28th December, even with most of...

Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has responded to a new report from the Anna Freud Centre that revealed a significant number of nursery practitioners have been working with children with...

Press release from Nursery World It is the last chance for the early years sector to voice their opinion and help shape the industry for the better. The second draft of ‘Birth to 5 Matters’ has been published, along with another consultation...

Previously, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) booking system for the COVID-19 vaccination reflected that childcare and early years practitioners were eligible for the vaccine. Some practitioners may have already been vaccinated, or...

Press release from: Milton Hall Montessori The children at Milton Hall Montessori School were able to experience the colourful celebrations of "Chinese New Year" with the help of Sean’s parents kindly borrowed a Lion dance head dress. At circle...

Boris Johnson announced on 27th January that additional funding of £300m will be available for education settings - including early years - as well as ‘COVID premium’ support due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions. The Prime Minister also...

Asda has announced that they will offer priority slots to 5,000 nurseries who shop online with them. The supermarket chain has provided childcare settings with ‘Priority Passes’ - giving them access to slots up to 21 days in advance and letting...

In January, Purnima Tanuku, Chief Executive of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), wrote to MP Vicky Ford, asking for nursery staff to be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccinations and to provide testing kits to settings instead of...

A child-centred recovery report has been published to highlight how high quality early years provision makes a difference to young children. The key messages from the report are: The importance of effective early years delivery, helping children...

The government has said that schools will not have to complete the EYFS profile in 2021, after they announced that summer KS1 and KS2 assessments would not go ahead this year because of the pandemic. Instead, childcare settings have been asked...

The government has published new guidance showing strengthened expectations for providing remote education while settings and schools remain closed. On 11th  January, they published useful advice to help teachers and leaders develop their...

In light of the new national lockdown restrictions put in place, the Department for Education has issued new guidance for training providers, employers, assessment organisations and apprentices. The update describes how and when apprentices can...

The Early Years Alliance, the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) and the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) have joined forces and issued a call for the government to take urgent steps to protect the safety and...

Following vaccine minister Nadim Zahawi’s defence of the decision for early years settings to remain open during lockdown, nursery groups have urged the government to step in, by vaccinating staff so that they can remain open for children of key...

Nurseries, led by the Early Years Alliance, are urging the government to continue basing funding for 'free childcare' places on pre-pandemic attendance levels until the end of the spring term, after the Department for Education (DfE) revealed a...

Feedback from Early Years Alliance members and the wider sector as a whole reveals that the pressures of working in the sector during the pandemic have taken a toll on mental health and wellbeing. As a result, the EYA is continuing to campaign...

The theme for the 14th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2021) has been revealed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). ‘Build the Future’ – running from 8th to 14th February, will focus on how employers train, retain and...

Ofsted has announced a phased return to early years inspections in 2021, as a result of the continuing challenges facing the industry, caused by COVID-19. The phased return means that no graded inspections will be carried out before the summer...

Press release from: Milton Hall Montessori Last Thursday 26th November all the children at Milton Hall enjoyed  celebrating Thanksgiving with many activities. A special circle time followed by story time, and celebrating with a small feast of...

The Duchess of Cambridge has unveiled findings from the biggest UK survey on the early years, revealing that many people do not recognise the critical importance of the first five years in a child’s life. The Duchess has made the early years one...

The DfE has updated its previous guidance for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak. With the National lockdown still in place, providers should continue to follow the National restrictions guidance until 2nd...

A £375 million skills package was announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak in last week’s spending review - which includes £138 million of funding to deliver the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, £127 million to continue the Plan for Jobs skills measures...

The Treasury announced that it will be spending an additional £44 million on funding to “increase the hourly rate paid to childcare providers” for the government’s funded childcare offers. The announcement came as part of the Treasury’s Spending...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries Tops Day Nurseries in Bournemouth have recently received a silver award as part of the Eco-Schools award. Eco-schools is the largest educational programme on the planet, reaching globally 19.5 million...

Early years childcare funding will be distributed based on 2019's attendance figures, to avoid punishing schools and other providers that saw a “small fraction” of normal attendance because of Covid-19. In a report for Telford and Wrekin’s...

The government has released its latest figures for attendance in England’s education and early years settings from Monday 23 March to Thursday 12 November (excluding out of term dates). The statistics, in their entirety can be found here in the...

Andrea Leadsom MP, chair of the Early Years Healthy Development Review has told Nursery World that new parents, struggling to get the help they need during the pandemic would benefit from ‘vital’ digital and remote support. The Early Years...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries. One of the South’s leading family of day nurseries is calling for clarity in Covid-19 measures after receiving unclear advice from regulators and authorities. A colleague at Tops Day Nurseries suspected...

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School. Diwali, the festival of lights is indeed the most awaited and the most celebrated festivals of India and all around the world in October or November. It is the Hindu New Year and is...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries. A Day care company with nurseries across the South West will remain open throughout the second lockdown. On Saturday 31st October the Government announced there would be a second lockdown for four weeks,...

Press release from Milton Hall Montessori Nursery School. Armistice Day is on the 11th of November and is also known as Remembrance Day. It marks the day World War One ended, at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. A two-minute...

Nearly 17% of childcare settings fear they will have to close their doors by Christmas, with just over half saying they will need emergency funding to stay open for the next six months. The survey by the Early Years Alliance also found that only...

On Saturday 31 October the Prime Minister announced New National Restrictions, lasting from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Within the guidance, the government confirms that it...

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Policy Institute (EPI) are launching the second survey in their year-long research project looking at the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the early years sector. With the...

Press release from Bright Little Stars Nursery, Barnet.   In such challenging times, it is heart-warming to have a something positive to celebrate in the local community. On Wednesday 4th November 2020, prior to the second lockdown...

Press release from Tops Corfe Mullen Nursery. With all the speculation in the media about the lack of support for parents accessing vouchers in place of free school meals, a Corfe Mullen Nursery is stepping up to give back to the community. As...

Press release from Tops Day Nurseries, Winchester. Children at Tops Day Nurseries in Winchester have reached out to residents at St Catherine’s View Care home this Autumn. Many studies have concluded that social interaction between children and...

Press release from Little Adventurers Nursery and Preschool. The pre-school children from Little Adventurers Nursery, Upminster have had a fun week celebrating this traditional Halloween festival but with a few differences! Most Halloween...

The government has abandoned its long-term Comprehensive Spending Review amid economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chancellor Rishi Sunak will now announce a one-year review in late November. The Treasury said it was "the right...

The Department for Education has updated its 'Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak' guidance for staff and children who are defined as 'clinically extremely vulnerable'. Significantly, the...

Early years practitioners in England have been invited to take part in an online survey to review the existing EYFS guidance and get involved in developing an alternative, revised version which will be "right for the sector". During the coming...

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...