What's New

A new report by the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) highlights the negative impact of the pandemic on the physical health and wellbeing of children in the early years.

More than eight in ten early years providers are struggling to recruit staff, according to a new report by the Early Years Alliance.

We reported in September that the Government had a Plan B in the event that the NHS was likely to come under unsustainable pressure (see Winter plan for managing Covid).

The Department for Education has published the early years funding rates in England for 2022/23.

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated the Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak guidance following the emergence of the new Omicron variant.

With nine cases already found in the UK, the Government has decided to take immediate action to curb the spread of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant which was detected earlier this month in South Africa.

New research has highlighted the need for the urgent reform of the 30-hour funded childcare scheme to improve access to early education for disadvantaged children.

A House of Lords committee has urged the Government to restore its funding of early years services to 2010 levels to support children and families.

Childhood obesity has soared during the pandemic, according to the latest NHS data from the National Childhood Measurement Programme.

A new training programme has been launched to support adults and young people to gain the relevant skills and qualifications needed to work in the early years sector.