Early Years Digest

5 February 2025

 

PRESS & MEDIA   

Children’s Laureate Cottrell-Boyce warns early years reading at ‘crisis point’ - The Independent

Two thirds of primary school headteachers say Labour's free breakfast clubs will have no impact on attendance - The Daily Mail

80 homeless children died while living in temporary accommodation last year, new figures show - The Independent

Some children starting school ‘unable to climb staircase’, finds England and Wales teacher survey - The Guardian

Labour school reforms attacked by children’s commissioner - The Telegraph [subscription required]

Current picture of health visiting 'bleak' as 'severe' shortage of practitioners continues amid increased demand - Nursery World Magazine

Trial of health visitor child wellbeing tool extended - Children & Young People Now

School phone bans alone do not improve grades or wellbeing, says UK study - The Guardian

New experience-based route for unqualified early years staff to launch next month - Nursery World Magazine

 

FEATURE STORIES

'We don't just teach - we clothe the kids, feed them and brush their teeth' - BBC News

The truth about parental brainwashing – and why many of us are guilty of it - The Independent

The case for a universal SEND screener in early primary - TES Magazine

LONG READ: Widespread confusion surrounding nurseries' eligibility for NI Employment Allowance - Nursery World Magazine

 

BLOGS, PODCASTS & MORE

RESOURCE: Myth-busting: Screen-time - Speech and Language UK

 

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT 

2024 School Readiness Survey Report - Kindred Squared
 
 
UK Poverty 2025 - Joseph Rowntree Foundation
 
Growing Up in a Warming World: How Wildfire Smoke Affects Early Childhood Development - Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University

 

EVENTS & COURSES

RESOURCE: Children's Mental Healthy Week 2025, 3-9 February

Three ways to help young children understand and manage their emotions - Anna Freud

 

Childminding Professional Networking Event - Early Years Alliance

17 February 6:30-7:30pm, online (free)

 

JOBS

 

Director of Finance & IT - Speech and Language UK (London)

Events Assistant - National Children's Bureau (Devon)

HR Assistant - Rainbow Trust Children's Charity (Surrey)

 

 

 

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