---
title: Early Years Digest - 8 October 2024
description: Welcome to the seventy sixth 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

## 8 October 2024

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PRESS & MEDIA 

Labour pledges 300 new state nurseries in England within 12 months - [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/sep/25/labour-pledges-300-new-state-nurseries-in-england-within-12-months)

Some primary school pupils unable to say their names, teachers report - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/article/some-primary-school-pupils-unable-to-say-their-names-teachers-report-srk68pkzm) \[*Subscription required*\]

Guidance on school breakfasts ‘grossly out of date’, says minister - [TES Magazine](https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/guidance-school-breakfasts-grossly-out-date-says-minister) \[Subscription required\]

UK toddlers get nearly half their calories from ultra-processed food, study finds - [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/04/uk-toddlers-get-nearly-half-their-calories-from-ultra-processed-food-study-finds)

One in three children short-sighted, study suggests - [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0m099zm4wyo)

DNA testing of 100,000 newborn babies begins as part of major study into 200 rare conditions - [The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13918681/DNA-testing-100-000-newborn-babies-begins-major-study-200-rare-conditions.html)

The town pushing to delay smartphones for children - [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg2r4rxjd9o)  
 

FEATURE STORIES

The Observer view on early years education: Labour must find the money to address the attainment gap - [The Observer](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/06/the-observer-view-on-early-years-education-labour-must-find-the-money-to-address-the-attainment-gap)

Excessive respect for adults is failing children - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/excessive-respect-for-adults-is-failing-children-zcljxwjz9) \[Subscription required\]

Letter: Time to treat early years childcare as an investment not a cost - [The Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/8653d372-38c0-4443-ae05-2b9af18d57f5?shareType=nongift) \[*Subscription required*\]

Should we us screens in our settings? - [Teach Early Years Magazine \[Subscription required\]](https://cdn.teachearlyyears.com/e-mag/Teach-Early-Years-13.2/10/)

Ofsted inspections 'don't capture the full picture', says sector - [Nursery World Magazine](https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/long-read-ofsted-inspections-dont-capture-the-full-picture-says-sector)

 

BLOGS, PODCASTS & MORE

INTERVIEW: Stephen Morgan, early education minister - [Nursery World Magazine](https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/interview-stephen-morgan-early-education-minister)

 

BLOG: The life-changing effects of homelessness on children - [The Children's Society](https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/effects-of-homelessness-on-children)

 

PODCAST: New school year checklist with Llewella Ivins - [Early Years Excellence Podcast](https://podcast.app/new-school-year-checklist-with-llewella-ivins-e362091312)

INTERVIEW: Exclusive interview with Ofsted's national director of education - [Nursery World Magazine](https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/exclusive-interview-with-ofsteds-national-director-of-education)  
 

 

RESEARCH & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

 [Research: Men in Settings](https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/features/eye-supplement-research-men-in-settings/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1728011470) - Nursery World Magazine

 

 

EVENTS & COURSES

[Education Secretary’s live event: reflecting on 100 days in office](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/education-secretarys-live-event-reflecting-on-100-days-in-office-tickets-1029974149407?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=dfe_event)- Tuesday 15 October 4-4:45pm. Online, free.

[UK Trauma Council Insight Series - Complex Trauma: Recovery, agency and voice](https://www.annafreud.org/training/conferences-and-events/uk-trauma-council-insight-series-complex-trauma-recovery-agency-and-voice/) - Anna Freud. The UKTC Insight Series webinars are aimed at professionals supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma. Thursday 24 October 5-6pm. Online, £30. 

[Poetry in the early years foundation stage](https://literacytrust.org.uk/resources/poetry-in-the-early-years-foundation-stage/) - National Literacy Trust training resources. Online, free.

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