---
title: Early Years Digest - 101 edition
description: Welcome to the 101st 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
---
## Kindred²
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## Kindred²
[](https://kindredsquared.org.uk/)
[Follow us on Instagram](https://www.twitter.com/kindredsquared)
# Early Years Digest
## 9 September 2025
Sign up to our fortnightly digest
PRESS & MEDIA
One in three parents will buy second hand uniforms in bid to cut sky-high back-to-school costs - [The Daily Mail](https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-15021497/One-three-parents-buy-second-hand-uniforms-bid-cut-sky-high-school-costs.html?ico=mol_desktop_home-newtab&molReferrerUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fhome%2Findex.html&_gl=1*1j4y5n4*_gcl_au*MTEwMjcyNjIwNC4xNzU2MjgzMjY0*_ga*MTc0NjY4NzUwMS4xNzU2MjgzMjU0*_ga_C9F47K6NW6*czE3NTYyODMyNTMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTYyODM0OTYkajYwJGwwJGgyODI0NDE0MDA)
Call for complete ban on smacking children as new growing number say it's 'unacceptable' - [The Daily Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/call-complete-ban-smacking-children-35765417)
Special needs support is broken — so are parents - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/article/f425fda8-2c95-4782-ab60-012b1de26dfc) \[subscription required\]
Poorer families may not benefit as 30 hours free childcare begins in England, experts say - [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/sep/01/poorer-families-may-not-benefit-30-hours-free-childcare-england-experts)
Many governors lack oversight of school-readiness - [TES Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/primary/school-governors-lack-knowledge-school-ready-pupils)
Swimming pool closures put children ‘at risk of drowning’, union warns - [The Daily Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/swimming-pool-closures-put-children-35790435)
Mental health the top concern for almost three quarters of schools - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/vulnerable-pupils-need-more-support-beyond-school-gates-255db8gtk) \[subscription required\]
Reshuffle: 15 interesting facts about education’s new ministers - [Schools Week Magazine](https://schoolsweek.co.uk/reshuffle-15-interesting-facts-about-educations-new-ministers/)
FEATURE STORIES
Why children’s manners make me despair — and what I’m doing about it - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/why-childrens-manners-make-me-despair-and-what-im-doing-about-it-6dfzbn8n5) \[subscription required\]
How we built AI chatbots to handle parent questions - [TES Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/secondary/how-we-built-ai-chatbots-handle-parent-questions)
Phone-addicted yummy mummies are neglecting their children - [The Spectator](https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/phone-addicted-yummy-mummies-are-neglecting-their-children/) \[subscription required\]
The answer to parenting happiness? £100,000 - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/money-buy-parenting-happiness-survey-5h3sp3ckn) \[subscription required\]
BLOGS, PODCASTS & MORE
PODCAST: How can I potty train my 4 year old? – Brenda Cheer, ERIC - [CBeebies Parenting Helpline](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ly60xh?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile)
PRESS RELEASE: Parents to save thousands in government cost of living support - [Gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parents-to-save-thousands-in-government-cost-of-living-support)
OPINION: Teaching five-year-olds about grief isn't morbid – it's necessary - [The Big Issue Magazine](https://www.bigissue.com/opinion/teach-children-grief-childhood-school-guidance/)
PODCAST: Introducing: This is early years – the podcast for early years educators - [Nursery World Magazine](https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/new-podcast-from-nursery-world)
RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
AI and Literacy - [The National Literacy Trust](https://literacytrust.org.uk/information/what-is-literacy/ai-and-literacy/)
Reducing Inequalities by Investing in Early Childhood Education and Care - [OECD](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/reducing-inequalities-by-investing-in-early-childhood-education-and-care_b78f8b25-en.html)
The Children’s Plan: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census - [The Children's Commissioner](https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/the-childrens-plan/)
Absent Ambition - [The Centre for Social Justice](https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/library/absent-ambition)
EVENTS & RESOURCES
RESOURCE: 5 tips for improving parent communications - [TES Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/how-schools-can-improve-parent-communication-relationships)
TRAINING: [How to stay well when the work's never done - with Education Support](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-stay-well-when-the-works-never-done-with-education-support-tickets-1600128149369?aff=oddtdtcreator) - Coram Life Education
Thursday 9 October, 16:00 (online, free)
**JOBS**
[Research and Programmes Coordinator](https://kidsmatter.org.uk/get-involved/work-with-us/job-opportunity-research-and-programmes-coordinator/\) (part-time) - Kids Matter (remote)
[Senior Trust Fundraiser](https://kidscareers.kids.org.uk/job/745887) - Kids (London)
[Central Fundraising and Engagement Assistant](https://jobs.savethechildren.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/central-fundraising-and-engagement-assistant-7152-farringdon-london-home-based/7178/description/) (fixed-term) - Save the Children (London, hybrid)
[Director](https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/the-birth-partner-project/director/1036112?tsId=6) (part-time) - The Birth Partner Project (Cardiff)
### Sign up to the digest
##### Every fortnight we provide a summary of some of the work published in the EY sector. Sign up using the form below.