‘Free to be me: exploring identity online.’
This year’s focus for Safer Internet Day in the UK was getting people to explore how they manage their online identity and think about how the internet shapes their own o…
This week's Coffee Break comes from Stephen Kilgour, our SEND Advisor, who takes a closer look at the benefits of creating a more natural and sustainable environment in any play-based setting.
It was quite a few years ago, on a visi…
Yesterday, the Dept of Health and Public Health England, in conjunction with Action for Children, published guidelines for early years settings to support them in the development of their menus for children under 5. The guidelines are volun…
The mental health of staff is at the forefront of conversations about the early years workplace, with troubling evidence provided by the Early Years Alliance Minds Matter Report in June 2018 and the appearance of staff wellbeing in the Lea…
We’re introducing a new feature to the front page of the FSF called ‘Coffee Break’. Here you will find quick reads to get you thinking, keep you informed and to support you in your working day. You can dip in and out whenever you h…
We are delighted to welcome back East Sussex LA who have just renewed their LA scheme for the 8th year and West Sussex LA who have just renewed for the 4th year. If you already belong to the forum as a East or West Sussex member you need d…
We are delighted to welcome back Birmingham LA who have just renewed their LA scheme for the 9th year. If you already belong to the forum as a Birmingham member you need do nothing, your account will automatically be renewed If you work…
The DfE have updated their guidance for the implementation of the 30 hours having considered feedback from the sector. You can access the updated guidance here: 30 hours free childcare: LA and early years provider guide. The forum thread for…
On October 30th Ofsted released a series of updates and reviews to their registration regulation and requirement documents - the link to the Ofsted site is here, the link to the single registration and regulation document is here and the…
The Department for Education data shows 10% of nursery staff earn less than £7.20 an hour the minimum for over-25s. The Family and Childcare Trust says the government must ensure the nurseries it subsidises do not flout the law. The sector i…
Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn and former Shadow Early Years Minister, has been confirmed as Chair of the Childcare and Early Education All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). Ms Siddiq is an influential and experienced …
The MP quit in response to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's confirmation that Labour MPs would be expected to back the upcoming Article 50 bill, which will trigger the UK's exit from the EU, in parliament. Tulip will remain as MP for Hampstead a…
The select committee's report has been described in the Financial Times (25/3/18) 'MPs release damning report on childcare policy'. Reading the conclusions and recommendations it is easy to see why the FT went for such a strongly worded he…
I am writing this from FSF and Tapestry HQ, which many of you know is based in Lewes. This quirky but usually peaceful town takes on a whole new vibe on Bonfire Night. Lewes is home to the largest Bonfire celebrations in the UK, with seven…
There are many useful links and updates about all the changes and discussions that are currently ongoing in early years. It would be useful for you to read it and make sure you are 'on top' of all the news. You can add yourself to their maili…
On the site, parents can sign up and start their tax free account and link to their childcare provider. Parents are also able to check their eligibility for the 30 hours provision. The website is called 'Childcare Choices'.
The report summarises the responses sent by various sector contributors and lists the findings clearly. The findings include Provider difficulties with the Ofsted registration and inspection processes, changes to statutory requirements, the i…
The website helps parents to navigate through the different childcare cost options. They are announcing this under the following banner "The government is introducing new ways to help parents with childcare costs. Whether you have toddlers or…
The BBC 'Trending' section of the news site has today released shocking details of scary videos that are very easily accessed by children. They say "If you're not paying much attention, it might look like an ordinary video featuring Peppa Pig…
The FSF is proud to be part of this small group of early years experts who are working together with MPs to ensure that the voice of the sector is heard in Parliament. You can read about it in Nursery World and here on this thread.
FSF members have this week been reporting telephone calls from people claiming to be from the DfE. Members are sure this is a scam and so be careful! You can read about it here, on this thread.
The report calls for the DfE to conduct a full review of the Reception year. You can read the report here. You can discuss the report and share your thoughts on this thread.
The Government has today updated their 'Things providers need to know' document. You will find links to registering your provision online as well as an explanation of how the scheme will work. You can read the update here.
Latest research from Prof Kathy Sylva, Prof Pam Sammons and their team at the University of Oxford has used administrative data, a survey of local authorities and a series of case studies to paint a picture of what has happened to children…
