Teach-Early-Years-14.1

News Nursery Now News and views from the early years TWEET TALK In brief... February saw the official launch of the 33-member- strong Speech, Language and Communication Alliance at the House of Commons, the beginning of a collective effort to improve the lives of the 1.9 million children with speech and language challenges across the UK. The Education Endowment Foundation has launched 11 research projects to better inform the education sector about how to boost children’s outcomes. Two of these are aimed at early years, including Reception Jigsaw, a professional development programme focused on improving maths teaching in Reception, and Plan, Do, Review, a 25-week intervention designed to improve the communication and language skills of 3–4-year-olds. Read more at tinyurl.com/TEYeef11 Local councils are asking government to ensure that disadvantaged children don’t miss out on Free School Meals. At present, 470,000 eligible children in England aren’t signed up. Quality matters It’s fair to say that a DfE social media post ( tinyurl.com/TEYdfefb ) promising “cheaper childcare” and highlighting government action to prevent “overcharging” hasn’t gone down well, with both settings and parents angry about the policy and the way it is being communicated. “It is misleading for the government to claim that the new early years charging parents guidance will make childcare ‘cheaper’. It could have the opposite effect,” stressed the NDNA, adding, “Parents don’t want cheap childcare; they want high-quality early education and care for their children.” Toilet trouble 60% INCREASE IN THE CONSTIPATION RATE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, WITH NUMBER OF AFFECTED PRESCHOOLERS ALSO UP. IN TOTAL, 44,000 CHILDREN WERE HOSPITALISED IN 2024 DUE TO THE CONDITION. BIT.LY/3QGVHJH @paceychildcare.bsky. social Our Manifesto for Childminders sets out 9 actions to address plummeting childminder numbers, ensuring children have the very best start in life. Let’s make 2025 the year for childminding! bit. ly/3D3oViZ @booktrust.org.uk “Books cannot be eaten or provide a physical refuge or home, but they can be a tool promoting empathy, escapism and reassurance.” @lawrencepatrice.bsky. social has been an incredible #WriterInResidence over the past six months - and now she’s reflecting on her time in the role bit. ly/4gX1NR3 “For the government to achieve its ambition to drive up standards in education theymust sufficiently fund high- quality early education and care.” NDNA 6 Teachearlyyears.com