In the UK, the childcare sector is experiencing a dynamic and significant shift, primarily characterised by an increasing demand for childcare services. This trend is reshaping family dynamics, transforming the operational landscape for childcare providers, and imparting considerable influence on the national economy. To fully grasp this … [Read more...] about Increasing Demand for Childcare Services: Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities in the UK
Sector News
How Are EYFS Assessed?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a framework that sets out how children's developing needs are met through play, care and learning. EYFS covers children from their birth up to 5 years of age. The EYFS defines how these areas should be assessed in order for the child to grow as they should. This blog post will discuss how assessments are … [Read more...] about How Are EYFS Assessed?
Early Years Sector NOT Recognised Under Self Isolation Exemption
The government has not recognised the early years and child care sector despite its vital role in keeping the UK economy moving. Without childcare, many working families cannot work, which will have a knock-on effect on many other aspects of everyday life. The updated test trace guidelines for the workplace have been published, which identifies … [Read more...] about Early Years Sector NOT Recognised Under Self Isolation Exemption
Desperate need for speech and language support in Wales
Welsh children in need as they start school with a lack of speech Popular charity, Save the Children, are calling for more speech and language support in Wales as more children than ever are starting school with worrying levels of speech and language development. The charity has found that almost 80% of reception teachers in Wales often … [Read more...] about Desperate need for speech and language support in Wales
NHS figures show 4 in 10 children not attending the dentist
40% of children in the UK are not regularly going to the dentist Shocking figures from the NHS show that at least 40% of children in the UK failed to see a dentist last year. This can be very damaging to a child's health and well-being, leaving many children with preventable dental health problems. The British Dental Association have stressed … [Read more...] about NHS figures show 4 in 10 children not attending the dentist
Nursery School concerns over 30 hours funding
30 hours funding could cause school nurseries to close There are huge concerns that the increase in free funding from fifteen hours to thirty hours in 2017 could lead to the closure of many school nurseries and early years settings up and down the UK. There are an initial two years extra support available out of tax payers money but there … [Read more...] about Nursery School concerns over 30 hours funding
Pokémon go causing safeguarding concerns for nurseries
Pokémon Go is a new craze sweeping the nation, encouraging children and adults to get outside and be active; however it has been suggested that the game could cause issues for safeguarding in Early Years settings. The app is downloadable to smart phones and requires you to go out walking to search for and collect Pokémon. One aspect of the game is … [Read more...] about Pokémon go causing safeguarding concerns for nurseries
‘Relax nursery sickness policies’ urges GP
Father and GP campaigns for nursery to relax its rules on conjunctivitis A GP and father of twins has recently campaigned for a nursery to change their sickness policy with regards to conjunctivitis. Dr Finnikin pushed for the change in policy after his own toddler was sent home with the infection by the University of Birmingham’s nursery. The … [Read more...] about ‘Relax nursery sickness policies’ urges GP
How will Brexit impact on the next generation?
How will Early Years providers and children in the UK be affected by Brexit? On 23rd June 2016 the country was divided with 52% of voters winning the decision for the United Kingdom to leave the EU. Brexit has made history but how will this decision impact on the Early Years sector and most importantly, the children? Equality and … [Read more...] about How will Brexit impact on the next generation?
Children at risk of losing nursery funded places
Will there be enough funded places available with the increase to 30 hours? With the funded hours of childcare for all three and four year olds increasing from 15 hours to 30 hours next year, many children may find themselves losing out due to lack of free places. Many childcare settings have expressed their concerns over the … [Read more...] about Children at risk of losing nursery funded places