Welcome to the FSF November newsletter
Early Years News
The Autumn budget included increases in the national living wage and national minimum wage. Employer National Insurance contributions will increase to 15% from 6 April 2025, while the per-employee threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance will go down to £5,000 per year. These changes will impact the early years sector, with staffing costs accounting for a significant percentage of outgoings. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, also announced £1 billion in funding to be allocated for SEND provision – although it wasn’t clear whether early years would be part of this allocation.
Meanwhile, a new report by economic consultancy Frontier Economics examines the government’s policy to make 100,000 new nursery places available by using spare capacity in English Primary Schools. The report states that one of the challenges to this scheme is that the projected spare capacity is not going to be in all the right places to meet projected demand.
New Content
FSF articles and podcasts
We’re excited to share two new podcast episodes in our miniseries ‘Men in the Early Years’. In Episode 1, Stephen and Ben chat with Richard Waite, early years consultant and technology specialist, about his long career and experience in the early years. And in Episode 2 they’re joined by nursery owner and manager Rob Fox to talk about the challenges of encouraging and retaining men in the early years workforce. Watch out for the third and final episode of this miniseries coming soon – you can always subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss it! Find all our podcast episodes from this link, or from wherever you like to listen.
This month we’re highlighting an article by early years educator Fifi Benham – Engaging children in conversations about diversity, discrimination and inclusion. Fifi writes: ‘children will talk about their differences, and will share their observations about the world much more freely than adults, so facilitating these discussions is a primary way we encourage open discussions about diversity.’
Tapestry news and resources
A new article
If you’re looking for some inspiration for high-quality books in your setting, or for gifts for the holiday season, there’s a new article over on Tapestry.info to help. 10 Best Children’s Picture Books 2024 is a collection of some of our favourite picture books published this year.
Tapestry have partnered with easyfundraising
Settings and schools can now raise funds for free through easyfundraising. So far, they've helped over 19,000 settings and schools raise over £15 million!
You can register to earn funding when parents and staff shop online with over 8,000 retailers, including Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, M&S, JustEat, Trainline, ASOS and Tesco. It’s a simple way for your community to contribute without any cost, and your setting or school can benefit while families are shopping.
Register your school or setting here.
Tapestry ‘Highly Commended’ – Teach Primary awards
We’re so happy to have been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Teach Primary Awards 2024 for the Apps category! Awards Judge Matt Rogers from NAACE said ‘Tapestry is an exceptional education platform that transforms learning… It’s specialised approach for SEND through the Cherry Garden Framework is particularly noteworthy. Overall Tapestry is a cost-effective, comprehensive tool that enriches education while reducing staff workloads.’
Congratulations to the winners, Spelling Shed!
Wishing you a safe and happy November
From Helen, Steve and all of us at the FSF and Tapestry
From The Forum
Early Years interview
FSF articles and podcasts
We’re excited to share two new podcast episodes in our miniseries ‘Men in the Early Years’. In Episode 1, Stephen and Ben chat with Richard Waite, early years consultant and technology specialist, about his long career and experience in the early years. And in Episode 2 they’re joined by nursery owner and manager Rob Fox to talk about the challenges of encouraging and retaining men in the early years workforce. Watch out for the third and final episode of this miniseries coming soon – you can always subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss it! Find all our podcast episodes from this link, or from wherever you like to listen.
This month we’re highlighting an article by early years educator Fifi Benham – Engaging children in conversations about diversity, discrimination and inclusion. Fifi writes: ‘children will talk about their differences, and will share their observations about the world much more freely than adults, so facilitating these discussions is a primary way we encourage open discussions about diversity.’
Tapestry news and resources
A new article
If you’re looking for some inspiration for high-quality books in your setting, or for gifts for the holiday season, there’s a new article over on Tapestry.info to help. 10 Best Children’s Picture Books 2024 is a collection of some of our favourite picture books published this year.
Tapestry have partnered with easyfundraising
Settings and schools can now raise funds for free through easyfundraising. So far, they've helped over 19,000 settings and schools raise over £15 million!
You can register to earn funding when parents and staff shop online with over 8,000 retailers, including Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, M&S, JustEat, Trainline, ASOS and Tesco. It’s a simple way for your community to contribute without any cost, and your setting or school can benefit while families are shopping.
Register your school or setting here.
Tapestry ‘Highly Commended’ – Teach Primary awards
We’re so happy to have been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Teach Primary Awards 2024 for the Apps category! Awards Judge Matt Rogers from NAACE said ‘Tapestry is an exceptional education platform that transforms learning… It’s specialised approach for SEND through the Cherry Garden Framework is particularly noteworthy. Overall Tapestry is a cost-effective, comprehensive tool that enriches education while reducing staff workloads.’
Congratulations to the winners, Spelling Shed!
Wishing you a safe and happy November
From Helen, Steve and all of us at the FSF and Tapestry
I have an interview where they have asked for me to teach a 30 minute lesson using the story Goldilocks...
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.