The Institute of Education (IoE) has published new research that questions whether children with a disability benefit from early education. With research from the IoE, the National Children’s Bureau and the London School of Economics, Convergence or Divergence? A Longitudinal Analysis of Behaviour Problems among Disabled and Non-disabled Children Aged 3 to 7 in England…
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Childcare loans could get parents back to work, says BCC
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) suggests childcare loans could be the answer to getting people back to work after having children. In Business Manifesto 2014/15: A Business Plan for Britain the BCC says the UK is at “ a fork in the road” where, over the next five years, the choice is either a…
Continue reading "Childcare loans could get parents back to work, says BCC"Countdown to Number Day for the NSPCC
The NSPCC’s Number Day is back and making it count for children on 5 December 2014, encouraging and celebrating learning through maths whilst raising money to end cruelty to children across the UK. Number Day helps primary and secondary school teachers deliver inspiring and interactive maths lessons alongside fundraising activities. Some of the resources have…
Continue reading "Countdown to Number Day for the NSPCC"Childminder agencies get a handbook … and the go-ahead
Ofsted has published a handbook offering guidance to prospective childminder agencies, on registration applications and regulation. Childminder agencies can start operating as of yesterday. As well as for providers, the handbook provides guidance for inspectors, setting out legal background, enforcement and extent of power. Ofsted has promised to publish more information about the inspection of…
Continue reading "Childminder agencies get a handbook … and the go-ahead"Early years provision in schools gets own Ofsted grading
From September this year early years providers in schools will be graded separately by Ofsted. Ofsted has confirmed it will award one grade to providers of early years and reception classes in a primary school and then consider a separate grade for the school overall. However, a poorly graded early years provision may affect the…
Continue reading "Early years provision in schools gets own Ofsted grading"Citizens Advice reports on lack of quality childcare for low earners
The Citizens Advice service says self-employed parents or those in jobs with “irregular hours” have a hard time finding high-quality childcare. In its report, The Practicalities of Childcare: An Overlooked Part of the Puzzle, surveying 400 childcare providers across the country, it found that provisions rated as outstanding and good require more notice to change…
Continue reading "Citizens Advice reports on lack of quality childcare for low earners"How can we develop our outdoor play provision with limited space?
Outdoor learning is a key element of the EYFS framework and early years provisions must provide access to an outside play area wherever possible. If it is not possible, the EYFS states that providers should ensure that outdoor activities are planned and taken on a daily basis unless circumstances make this inappropriate, eg unsafe weather…
Continue reading "How can we develop our outdoor play provision with limited space?"No More Baby Steps: A Strategy for Revolutionising Childcare
A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests that universal childcare could be made available for all parents. No More Baby Steps: A Strategy for Revolutionising Childcare makes recommendations that include extending the two-year-old offer to all families and increasing funding places for three-and four-year-olds from 38 to 48 weeks per year….
Continue reading "No More Baby Steps: A Strategy for Revolutionising Childcare"Review of Enforcement in the Childcare Sector
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has published a new report into enforcement in the childcare sector. Review of Enforcement in the Childcare Sector: Focus on Enforcement Regulatory Reviews outlines serious concerns among smaller providers about the “quality, volume and coherence of Ofsted guidance”. In particular, the accuracy of written Ofsted reports is…
Continue reading "Review of Enforcement in the Childcare Sector"Accidents in nurseries will happen
Accidents In Nurseries Will Happen In this current economic climate it is accepted by insurers that there will be an increase in claims for personal injuries. However, just because there has been an accident in nursery does not always mean that someone is at fault. Personal injury claims for accidents in nurseries include: Claims by…
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