---
title: Early Years Digest - 109 edition
description: Welcome to the 109th Early Years Digest. Every fortnight we provide a summary of some of the work published in the EY sector.
image: https://info.kindredsquared.org.uk/hubfs/EY%20Digest.gif
---

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# Early Years Digest

## 27 January 2026

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PRESS & MEDIA 

Phillipson announces £23m for new edtech tools – [Tes Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/phillipson-announces-funding-edtech-tools-for-schools)

‘Crunch time’ on rising costs of Send provision in England, says think tank – [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/21/crunch-time-send-special-needs-education-england-ifs)

HMRC Child Benefit update for 17,000 UK families – [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/hmrc-child-benefit-update-17000-36587209)

 

FEATURE STORIES

Too many children start school lacking a toddler’s skills – [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/too-many-children-start-school-lacking-a-toddlers-skills-jj556hhhn?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfO4JMOaXDSCwR1CMl-uDAtWw7gaX1wVVXEwbWn1zxIjo-zCuoRikQvhvUm7Zg%3D&gaa_ts=69720bb1&gaa_sig=ezu_g9Cjt-_crDxjbWeIxIopZk3C5z3pE5qGmut-YPPeiLW206aml3yfmQMG_Zdrmlh2Ph1CkJQcr47LPbySTA%3D%3D)

How screen time affects toddlers: ‘We’re losing a big part of being human’ – [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/22/how-screen-time-affects-toddlers-were-losing-a-big-part-of-being-human)

The transformative effect of reducing Reception class sizes – [Tes Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/early-years/how-reducing-reception-class-sizes-can-improve-outcomes)

More than four million children set to be in poverty by 2029 despite Labour two-child limit U-turn – [Big Issue](https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/four-million-children-poverty-2029-joseph-rowntree-foundation/)

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

**REPORT:** School Readiness Survey 2025 – [Kindred Squared](https://kindredsquared.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/School-Readiness-Survey-January-2026-Kindred-Squared.pdf)

**REPORT:** Public Perceptions Survey 2025 – [Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood](https://centreforearlychildhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Royal-Foundation-Centre-for-Early-Childhood_Public_Perceptions_Survey_FULL-REPORT_2026.pdf)

**GUIDANCE:** ‘Parents are people, too,’ schools told in guidance on complaints – [Tes Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/guidance-for-schools-on-parent-complaints)

 

JOBS

Senior Innovation Manager – [UNICEF](https://www.unicef.org.uk/jobs/senior-innovation-manager/) (London, part home/part office based)

Senior Lead, Programme Funding Growth Acceleration – [Save the Children](https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/15210?utm_medium=jobboard&utm_source=linkedin) (hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available)

Senior Advisor (Early Years & Education) – [National Deaf Children’s Society](https://careers.ndcs.org.uk/vacancies/37/senior-advisor-early-years--education.html) (home based)

 

 

 

 

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