News - Analysis
Nick Clegg blocks controversial childcare ratio changes
Laura McCardle, News Editor (06-Jun-13)
The Deputy Prime Minister has blocked the Government’s controversial plans to change childcare ratios. Conservative MP Elizabeth Truss, the child and education minister, has been pushing the reforms, which… read full article
Nurseries with Early Years Professionals get higher Ofsted ratings
Sue Learner, News Editor (29-May-13)
Nurseries which employ nursery workers with Early Years Professional Status have been getting higher Ofsted ratings, according to new research The study carried out by Anglia Ruskin University revealed the… read full article
Government report outlines potential benefits of controversial plans to change childcare ratios
Laura McCardle, News Editor (28-May-13)
The Government has published a report outlining potential benefits of its controversial plans to change childcare ratios, including increased revenue of £200,000 a year for every nursery. ‘Implications of… read full article
Richard Howard, News Editor (23-Apr-13)
Early years goals in England need more quality inspections and solutions for outstanding funding issues if they are to be realised, according to leading childcare experts. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector,… read full article
Government adviser Professor Nutbrown says Government’s childcare reforms “make no sense at all”
Sue Learner, News Editor (28-Mar-13)
Professor Cathy Nutbrown who wrote a Government commissioned review last year on childcare qualifications, has called the Government’s More Great Childcare report “disappointing” and said plans to change staff ratios “make no sense… read full article
Childcare more expensive than top public schools such as Eton
Sue Learner, News Editor (06-Mar-13)
Average childcare costs have risen by more than double the rate of inflation in a year, with some nurseries more expensive than top public schools, according to the annual Daycare Trust survey. The Childcare… read full article
Nurseries will be able to pay to be re-inspected, under reforms in Children and Families Bill
Sue Learner, News Editor (07-Feb-13)
Nurseries will be able to pay a fee to be re-inspected by Ofsted, under a clause in the Children and Families Bill. The move is a victory for early years organisations, who have been calling for the change… read full article
Nursery boss warns a child could die, as sector voices anger over nursery ratio proposals
Sue Learner, News Editor (06-Feb-13)
The head of a leading nursery chain has criticised government plans to relax care ratios for nurseries, warning a child could die if they are implemented. The change to the ratios were announced by Education… read full article
Coalition promises 'More Great Childcare' amid growing anxiety in the nursery sector
Richard Howard, News Editor (29-Jan-13)
The issue of child to staff ratios remains an on-going dilemma for nursery and childcare providers, after a relaxing of legal requirements was announced today by Education Minister Elizabeth Truss. The… read full article
Reducing nursery staff ratios will not reduce fees for parents, say nursery providers
Sue Learner, News Editor (10-Jan-13)
Childcare minister, Elizabeth Truss, wants to get rid of the “restrictive” staff to child ratios in nurseries in England in a bid to make childcare more affordable. However childcare providers claim the move… read full article
Jimmy Saville child abuse scandal deters men from working in nurseries
Sue Learner, News Editor (12-Dec-12)
Men are put off from working in childcare because they fear they will be regarded as paedophiles due to high-profile child abuse cases such as the Jimmy Saville scandal, according to the London Early Years Foundation. June… read full article
Rachel Baker, News Editor (07-Dec-12)
Concerns have been raised by children’s charities and organisations in response to George Osborne’s Autumn Statement. The Chancellor has announced that from April 2013, there will be a one per cent rise… read full article
Coalition poised to debate childcare costs as gap between rich and poor continues to rise
Richard Howard, News Editor (07-Nov-12)
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is on a mission to reduce the cost of childcare bills and encourage more mothers to return to work. Mr Clegg has been writing to grassroots Liberal Democrats signalling his determination that the… read full article
Free nursery places for disadvantaged two-year-olds to be funded by cutting Early Intervention Grant
Sue Learner, News Editor (02-Oct-12)
Early years organisations fear the Government is funding its expansion of the free early years entitlement scheme by cutting the Early Intervention Grant. In the same week that the Government announced £100m… read full article
Day nursery sector adopts revised EYFS framework
Richard Howard, News Editor (13-Sep-12)
September 2012 has seen the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) come into effect, compiled from an independent review carried out by Dame Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children. Day nurseries and pre-schools… read full article