Children’s Centre Census 2012 4Children have launched their Children’s Centre Census 2012. The census will ask centres questions about the number and type of staff they employ, the number of childcare places they provide, the mix between universal and targeted services and their experiences of providing services in a recession. The results will help provide a [...]

Amongst the few bright points in the Chancellor’s autumn statement was the announcement of further investment in free childcare for 2 year-olds, with 40% of families now set to benefit. The Coalition will provide an additional £380 million of early investment a year by 2014/15 to cover a further 130,000 free childcare places.   The [...]

The call for evidence on the independent review of early education and childcare qualifications was launched on 28 October and this will run until 23 December. Alongside this and as part of the evidence gathering process, Professor Cathy Nutbrown is planning to hold 4 one day consultation events over the autumn and early next year. [...]

  There is a huge commitment to improving the take up of free early education and childcare.   You need to communicate to mums and dads in your local community to ensure that they are aware of their entitlements for early education and childcare.  In particular it is important that you reach out to families [...]

Established roles are changing as reforms to the health system and the school system begin to take effect. These changes sit alongside an international economic situation which is having a profound effect on families.   You already know that families are in positions where paying for childcare may be becoming unaffordable and are looking at [...]

There is a huge commitment to improving the take up of free early education and childcare amongst professionals and the sector at large. Get in touch with mums and dads in your local community to ensure that they are aware of their entitlements and all of the support that is on offer for early education, [...]