---
title: Early Years Digest - 107 edition
description: Welcome to the 106th 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

## 3 December 2025

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PRESS & MEDIA 

Betrayal of our children: Covid inquiry finds lockdowns 'brought ordinary childhood to a halt' and the closure of schools 'will have lasting effects' – [**Daily Mail**](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15311509/Betrayal-children-Covid-inquiry-lockdowns-childhood.html)  

Schools urged to trial four-day week to ease pressure on teachers in England and Wales – [**The Guardian**](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/dec/01/schools-urged-to-trial-four-day-week-to-ease-pressure-on-teachers-in-england-and-wales) 

Princess of Wales visits the Anna Freud Centre to launch new project supporting children's mental health – [**Daily Mail**](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/royals/article-15331707/Kate-Middleton-anna-freud-centre-new-project.html) 

Huge surge in children with little or no language skills – [**The Times**](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/children-language-skills-75jdxm26s) 

FEATURE STORIES

EYFS: Rise in Reception pupils with ‘good’ development – [TES Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/early-years/eyfs-profile-results-rise-reception-pupils-good-development)

Children aren’t cheap… in fact it now costs £249,000 to raise one – [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/money/family-finances/article/cost-of-raising-a-child-uk-2fnfswjdq) 

The Guardian view on Labour’s budget: real gains for children and struggling families are a welcome shift – [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/26/the-guardian-view-on-labours-budget-real-gains-for-children-and-struggling-families-are-a-welcome-shift) 

Adolescence lasts into 30s - new study shows four pivotal ages for your brain – [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl6klez226o)  

‘Generational shift’ in reading for pleasure sparks inquiry – [TES Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/mps-inquiry-why-are-fewer-children-reading-for-pleasure)

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

**CALL FOR EVIDENCE:** Reception Teachers: Participate in DfE Research – [**Foundation Years**](https://edua-zcmp.campaign-view.eu/ua/SharedView?od=3z29baf5795d3aacfcaee9abc4716978ae&cno=11a2b0b1d6e04f2&cd=195f6ae4e932131&m=0) 

**REPORT:** Ofsted annual report 2024/25: education, children’s services and skills – [**Ofsted**](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsted-annual-report-202425-education-childrens-services-and-skills) 

**REPORT:** Transforming Early Education and Childcare in Wales – [**Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales**](https://wenwales.org.uk/en/transforming-early-education-and-childcare-in-wales/)

 

 

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