Early Years Digest

15 July 2025

PRESS & MEDIA 

 Child’s first 1000 days of life ‘critical’ in preventing obesity, academics say - The Independent

Five-year-olds in England with special educational needs 20 months behind peers – report - The Guardian

Early years teachers to get £4,500 bonus to work in nurseries in poorer areas - The Daily Mirror

Family support hubs to be opened across England offering a ‘lifeline’ to thousands - The Independent

Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs - BBC News

NFER is to carry out early years workforce study - Nursery World Magazine [subscription required]

School meal costs mean less meat and smaller portions, caterers say - BBC News

Labour vows to protect Sure Start-type system from any future Reform assault - The Guardian

‘Best start in life’ strategy: Primaries to get ‘intensive’ RISE reception support - Schools Week Magazine 

About 200 new nurseries to open at schools in England in September - The Guardian

 

FEATURE STORIES

A year of Labour: how are their manifesto promises progressing? - Schools Week Magazine
 
Early years in schools: Using a new resource to support school starters - Nursery World Magazine [subscription required]
 

The parental leave review: a chance to boost teacher retention - TES Magazine [subscription required]

What is Send? How EHCP reform could lead to a fresh Labour row - The Times [subscription required]

 

BLOGS, PODCASTS & MORE

OPINION: Bridget Phillipson: This new Sure Start plan for children is a moral mission: a watershed moment for our government - The Guardian

PODCAST: The policy that changed childhood in the UK - The Institute for Fiscal Studies

 OPINION: Do men really want more paternity leave? - The Spectator [subscription required]

RESEARCH SURVEY: What is the role of play for children in the UK? - Nottingham Trent University

 

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

 
Study reveals fresh insight into when babies start to feel pain - The Independent
 
Growing up in a low-income family: Children's experiences - The Children's Commissioner
 

Towards a new era of integration in the early years - Nesta

 The NHS 10-Year Plan: What does it mean for babies, children, families and health visiting? - The Institute of Health Visiting
 
Early education use and child outcomes at key stage 2 - The Department for Education
 
Giving every child the best start in life - The Department for Education
 
 

EVENTS & RESOURCES

Childcare reform: public support for early years since the General Election - Early Education and Childcare Coalition
16 July, 12pm (online, free)

Starting Reception Communication Toolkit (resource)
Free, online

 

JOBS

 

Impact and Operations Manager - Kindred Squared (London)

Senior Partnership and Innovation Officer - Save the Children (Manchester, hybrid)

Project Manager Strategic Delivery, Homewards - The Royal Foundation (London, hybrid)

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