Revised EYFS and Reception Baseline Assessment all set for September

New policies hit the statute books as Government aims to raise standards in early education and introduce – ‘a fairer accountability system based on pupils’ progress’.

Level 3 early years training offered for free to adults aged 24 and above

As part of the move to get people back into jobs the Government is funding free places on the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce.

General public thinks nursery and primary teachers should be paid more, survey suggests

Research into the public’s latest views and attitudes towards teachers’ pay finds that most think they are paid too little across all stages.

Huge rise in children eligible for school meals during pandemic, new data reveals

Since the pandemic hit, nearly 200,000 more pupils have become eligible for free school meals, new Government data shows, as children’s shadow minister calls for ‘free school meals support to all who need it’.

Underspend of early years Government funding by local authorities reaches £62m

National Day Nurseries Association finds even more millions of pounds of early education and childcare funding for three-and-four-year-old places are failing to reach providers.

Early years organisations sign up to updated partnership principles for expansion of childcare in Scotland

NDNA and COSLA agree updated early learning and childcare partnership principles to support working relationships between local authorities and partner providers.

Child poverty reaches record level, as charities call for ‘credible’ prevention plan

The number of children in poverty has risen to 4.3 million, new Government figures show, and the full picture is likely to be worse due to the Covid-19 pandemic, charities warn.

Support National Autism Awareness week (29 March – 4 April) – Spread the word

Children on the autism spectrum will be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of the pandemic. Louise Bull urges educators to explore the wealth of information and resources that the Autism Education Trust now offers.

Government launches ‘The Best Start for Life’ – a new health and social care strategy which prioritises the welfare of babies

Baby record ‘red books’ will be digitised as part of a new wide-ranging support package to support infant welfare during the first 1,001 days of life.

Sow, grow and share

Whether it’s cress on a windowsill, courgettes in the garden or runner beans on an allotment – young children will love to get involved in Plant and Share Month (19 April – 19 May) . Sign up for free resources that link to the EYFS to support growing activities.

Child protection services need ‘urgent’ reform as Covid lockdown measures increase incidences of abuse and neglect

A new report from the Nuffield Foundation has flagged the need for urgent reform of child protection, citing a 27 per cent rise in abuse in children under five in 2020.

Check out EYE’s April issue

Immerse yourself in best practice with this month’s mix of professional articles and expert advice.

Freshen up for spring with EYE’s April practical activities

Introduce a dash of colour into your learning environment this month with art projects that focus on the children’s author and illustrator Lois Ehlert.

London coaching programme supports practitioners in areas of disadvantage

A total 55 early years practitioners across 25 London boroughs have been supported through the pandemic with the NDNA’s Early Years Leaders Programme.

Mama Bear’s launches 50 apprenticeships and raises bar on pay

The 28-strong group is offering £7.50 an hour for its new apprenticeship positions created across its 28 nurseries in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Somerset and Devon.

Study to map the impact of Covid on early years provision with a view to shaping policy

Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Bristol are carrying out research into early years education and childcare in England and Wales, to determine how it is likely to change in the future.

Schools face ‘tough choices’ about what to teach, says Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman

Speaking at a virtual event on 10 March, Ms Spielman warned against schools trying to ‘skid across absolutely everything in a very short time’ as they strive to make up for lost learning caused by Covid.

Alternative EYFS guidance Birth to 5 Matters prepares for launch at the end of March

The Early Years Coalition, which created the alternative document, says that training will also be developed to support it.

Many children lack the motor skills required for learning, says new study

Movement expert Sally Goddard-Blythe is one of the authors of a new report which highlights that many children are starting school without the physical skills they need to underpin learning.

Nursery fees rise in more than a third of local authorities in England in the last year

Many early years providers have had no alternative but to hike their fees during the pandemic, reveals the Coram Family and Childcare’s 21st annual Childcare Survey.

Children deserve a summer ‘filled with play’

Leading academics are calling on the Government to prioritise children’s social and emotional well-being as post-lockdown restrictions are reviewed.

Drop in numbers of children’s referrals to social services is cause for concern

The latest wave of the Vulnerable Children and Young People Survey shows that referrals to children’s services were down by 23 per cent in late January compared to the same period in previous years.

Sector view: Did the Budget ‘meet the moment’?

Was yesterday’s Budget (3 March) remarkable more for what it didn’t include than for what it did? Find out what key commentators have to say about Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s policy decisions – and how they will impact early years providers, educators, young children and families.

Best Practice Network appointed a delivery partner in the rollout of teacher support programme

A reformed version of the Early Career Framework, which provides standards to help early career teachers succeed at the start of their careers, will be rolled out with six delivery partners in September.

Coronavirus: Early years workers ‘overlooked’ again as they miss out on priority vaccination

Childcarers will have to wait for the vaccine despite sector organisations campaigning for them to be prioritised during phase 2 of the rollout.