Charlie Taylor, chief executive of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, told delegates at the National Day Nurseries Association’s annual conference in Manchester that the hubs would build on the work being done by teaching school alliances, which bring together early years providers and schools to support, encourage and […]

          In an attempt to raise the standards of the early years workforce, ministers intend to make GCSE English and Maths at Grade C an entry requirement for starting an early years apprenticeship at Level 3. But sector representatives are ‘deeply concerned’ that rather than raising standards it could lead to […]

          The Family and Childcare Trust’s Where Next for Childcare? urges the main political parties to make the development of a new childcare policy a priority ahead of the 2015 general election.The report claims that much of today’s childcare policy continues to be based on a 2004 strategy introduced under Tony […]

          Fathers’ Story Week, run by the Fatherhood Institute, provides fathers and practitioners with free online resources to use as part of events to encourage better paternal engagement in children’s learning. Fathers can sign up online to participate in the project, which will give them access to facts and tips on […]

          Unison had challenged the Department’s decision not to publish the consultation’s findings via a Freedom of Information request. The DfE had only agreed to publish a breakdown of the number and type of respondents, which showed that 1,394 responses were received. Responding to Unison’s initial FOI request, the DfE said […]

          The Standards and Testing Agency has published the criteria for the ‘reception baseline’ that will be introduced from September 2015 in all primary schools. They will be able to choose from an approved list of commercial providers, which will be published early next year. Assessments must be ‘age-appropriate’ and ‘clearly […]

  Hi and welcome to the childcare blog, This September, there will be a big change to early years training, with colleges and training centres offering the first of the brand new Level 3 Early Years Educator (EYE) qualifications. These come in a range of options, including work-based and full-time study routes, and a subsidiary […]

          The announcement, scheduled for Thursday, will confirm that Ofsted will take over the inspection of private nurseries, childminders and school-based nurseries from commercial providers, CYP Now understands. The move follows recent concerns raised by childcare practitioners about the quality of inspection staff and the training of them provided by Tribal […]

          And there are now just under 3,000 fewer registered childminders than at the end of March last year. Ofsted’s figures on ‘Registered childcare providers and places’, show that as of 31 March 2014 there were 51,789 childminders, down from 53,938 at 30 September 2013, a loss of 2,149 childminders in […]

          The report by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ (BIS) reveals the extent to which nurseries and childminders are being given conflicting and often confusing advice from various regulatory authorities. It is based on a total of 44 responses from the sector, along with face-to-face discussions and visits to […]