On Monday 21st November we attended the London meeting to hear from the Childcare works team and the DfE about the 30 years pilots and the full roll out in September 2017. You can read our notes and download the presentation documents from th…
We attended the Westminster debate on Monday and listened with interest as MPs discussed the current situation in early years with the Minister Caroline Dinenage. You can read about our involvement and watch the debate on Parliament TV from here.
20% of 2-year-olds from some of the poorest families are now eligible for free childcare – this number will double next year. The Deputy Prime Minister has announced how free childcare for 2-year-olds is being doubled so that 40% of fam…
Don't forget these key strategies to fostering phonics success in Reception and beyond.
Every early years teacher wonders the same thing. Is there a formula? A secret formula to getting early reading right in Foundation Stage? We kno…
In the recent budget, the Chancellor announced a rise in the level of minimum wage and also the living wage. The early years funding rates have also been announced for 2018/19. You can read the new rates and comment on the thread 'Costing n…
As we have discussed before on the FSF the business rates re-evaluation that happened last year created significant increases for many non-charity run early years settings. With the increasing costs of minimum/living wage, pensions and con…
Report reveals that childcare prices have surged at double the rate of inflation, undermining Government’s new investments. Following the rollout of new government support schemes in 2017, most parents are now entitled to some help with c…
In their report 'Putting quality at the heart of early years' the Family and Childcare trust report calls for the introduction of an Early Excellence Fund to support four aims. The aims are: 1) Ensuring there is at least one experienced earl…
The materials to be used by the EYFSP pilot schools have been published following the announcement by Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi on Friday. You can read the full announcement here. From September, 25 schools across the co…
As previously discussed in forum conversations we'd like to confirm that we are officially retiring PRAMS at the end of this academic year (2016). PRAMS is no longer being actively developed, and from 31st July 2016 we will no longer be suppo…
Nick Gibb MP, Minister for School Standards, Department for Education, has shared his thoughts on the ways forward for Primary Assessment. The STA and Ofqual also contributed. The TES has comprehensively summarised the meeting, you can read t…
A survey has been launched by a coalition of early years organisations that includes the Early Years Alliance, Early Education, NDNA and PACEY 'to help better understand attitudes towards the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) ahead of a…
Education Policy Institute warns of Childcare sector losing staff to the Retail sector: The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has released a worrying report identifying great uncertainty over recruitment and retention, with growing report…
The Department for Education have released a model form and letter for parents, to help providers identify which children are eligible for the EYPP.
Find it here
Sam Gyimah, Childcare Minister,has announced that LAs will receive an additional £1.5 million to support them in preparing for the introduction of the EYPP. The EYPP, at a value of £50 million for 2015-2016, will be given to providers deliv…
A non-statutory guide for practitioners and inspectors has just been released by the Department for Education. Comprising the first column of the original Development Matters document, Early Years Outcomes has been published so that it can …
New shadow early years minister announced: In the announcement of the new shadow cabinet, Tracy Babin MP (Batley and Spen) has been selected as shadow minister for early years. Elected to Parliament in October 2016, the Batley and Spen by…
As expected, a revision to the statutory guidance will be issued this year to take into account the new paediatric first aid requirements and Safeguarding advice. There will also be a new model agreement for Local Authorities. Although issued…
In a meeting with early years providers, Caroline Dinenage has reminded business owners that they should ensure that they charge for any extra services provided as part of their 30 hours 'offer' this will include any food, nappies, wipes or e…
The fund, announced in November 2016, has quietly been scrapped and is now missing from the list of funding options available for Early Years providers. You can read the full story on this thread.
Department of Education have released the national statistics for Early years foundation stage profile results: 2012 to 2013 find them here and join in the forum discussion here
Ofsted are holding Early Years Curriculum Workshops, which are taking place on various dates and in various locations. The purpose of these workshops is to discuss early years issues as they arise in relation to the new inspection framewo…
