Early Years Digest

4 November 2025

PRESS & MEDIA 

SEND: White Paper delayed until 2026, Phillipson reveals – TES Magazine 

Surge in kids starting primary school obese could have ‘devastating impact’ – The Mirror 

Booker Prize launches new award for children's fiction including young judges – BBC News 

Parents look for £180,000 tutor to prepare baby for Eton or Harrow – The Times [subscription required] 

DfE seeks teachers for policy ‘sounding board’ – TES Magazine 

 

FEATURE STORIES

Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks? I want a school that understands play is learning – The Guardian

School referrals to social services hit new high – TES Magazine 

My daughter’s nursery reported us to social services – The Times [subscription required] 

Having autism should not mean having to fight for our education – BBC News

Wealthiest households fuel demand for delayed school starts – TES Magazine 

 

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

REPORT: Early years financial incentives evaluation – Department for Education 

REPORT: The English Indices of Deprivation 2025 – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government 

REPORT: The good childhood report 2025 – Understanding Society 

 

BLOGS, PODCASTS & MORE

VIDEO: How bedtime stories synchronise your child’s brain with yours – The Times 

 

EVENTS & RESOURCES

11th annual Better Start Conference – Better Start – Thursday March 5, 2026, in person, full day. Venue: Blackpool Football Club, Lancashire. Price: Early Bird £75+ small booking fee (ends 31st December) / Standard £125 + small booking fee 

 

JOBS

Senior Research and Development Manager – National Children’s Bureau (London Fields, Homebased, Northern Ireland, Devon, Sheffield) 

 

 

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.