Early Years Digest

18 November 2025

PRESS & MEDIA 

Quarter of five-year-olds in England have tooth decay, damning report finds – The Independent 

Thousands more children will get free school meals thanks to rule change – The Mirror 

Reeves suggests two-child benefit cap will fully go, saying children in big families should not be ‘penalised’ – as it happened – The Guardian 

Major school changes as parents given chilling warning over child safety – The Mirror 

Some primaries have ‘six times’ more pupils with SEND TES Magazine 

Reform UK’s Richard Tice says children wearing ear defenders in school is ‘insane’ – The Independent  

 

FEATURE STORIES

The Guardian view on education reform: Labour risks missing its chance to change schools – The Guardian 

How a 'swimming cap' could transform care for brain-injured babies – BBC News 

‘Mom, can we take the elevator?’ Why I’m fine with my daughter speaking Americanese – The Independent  

Supernanny Jo Frost: ‘Grandparents are needed now more than ever’ The Telegraph 

Britain's cruel war on single mums must end. It's time to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap – Big Issue 

Tutoring a baby to make him an 'English gentleman' - Is it worth the money? – BBC News

 

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

REPORT: The value of childhood: The commercialisation of play, entertainment and learning in children’s lives – Revealing Reality 

CALL FOR EVIDENCE: Integrating early education and childcare with broader early years family support, closing on Friday 5 December – Nesta 

 

BLOGS, PODCASTS & MORE

PODCAST: This is early years – Nursery World

 

 

 

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.