Childcare news for parents

Here you will find the latest national and local news on childcare issues and family-related articles.

Search for childcare aged 0-5

Monday 9 May

The Midland Childcare and Education Expo is a free event open to everyone who works in the early years and primary education sector. It will host a broad range of inspirational features designed to equip you with an array of fresh and exciting ideas for you to take back to your primary school or early years setting. Register for your free tickets.

Wednesday 4 May

PACEY, the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years is hosting an inspirational 60-minute webinar to showcase the many hidden and flexible roles in the childcare sector such as childminder, nanny, playworker, nursery assistant, office manager, HR, teaching or running a nursery. This online event takes place on Wednesday 11 May between 12 noon – 1pm. 

Tuesday 26 April

Ofsted has published a new five-year strategy with a stronger focus on the inspectorate’s work in the early years, acknowledging that the sector has been 'hit hard' by Covid. 

Thursday 10 March

Following a survey of teaching staff, headteachers and deputy heads working in primary schools in England, YouGov found that huge numbers of children starting school reception were developmentally delayed. 88 per cent of primary school teachers and teaching assistants reported having to spend extra time with those not achieving their developmental milestones which included toilet training, basic listening and language skills as well as following simple instructions. 

Wednesday 23 February

Dunelm has issued a voluntary recall of selected Cosatto and Dunelm baby sleeping bags due to a potential choking risk. 14 sleeping bags have been listed which were sold both both in-store and online.

Details of the affected sleeping bags is available on the Which? website.

Monday 14 February

There are many topics that people find difficult to discuss. Death is one of them. Families all have their own, very unique experiences with illness and death. Children’s worries about the health and well-being of their family and friends may have been heightened over the past 2 years of living with the COVID pandemic. If you're starting to think about how to introduce the topics of death and illness, view the guidance on How to support children with illness and grief.

Monday 31 January

For many under fives, life before masks and hand sanitiser is but a faint memory. Babies born in lockdown, to mothers forced to go into labour alone while their partners waited helplessly in hospital car parks, will now be approaching their second birthdays. The big question, however, is whether 'Covid babies' are young enough to shake off their strange early experiences, or whether their generation will in some sense be defined by it. 

Wednesday 26 January

RECALL ALERT - Nuby has issued a recall for certain batches of its children’s water bottles due to a potential choking hazard. The recall applies to all Incredible Gulp and Super Quench cups purchased from the Nuby UK website, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Boots between 1 November 2021 and 14 January 2022. 

Wednesday 29 December

The head of early years development at the Education Policy Institute, Sarah Bonetti says the COVID-19 lockdowns will deeply affect the future development of all our young children. Social and emotional development, interaction with their peers, behaviour, self-regulation, and anxiety have all been highlighted as areas of concern. 

Tuesday 7 November

Pregnant women shouldn't be forced to choose between their health or their job. But a third of pregnant women in UK fear losing jobs over Covid safety worries, survey finds. Ros Bragg, director of Maternity Action, said: "The situation for pregnant women is dire and is only getting worse as the pandemic progresses".

Tuesday 30 November

As the government announced that face masks would once again become mandatory in England in shops and on public transport from Tuesday 30 November, the education secretary is strongly advising secondary school pupils in England to wear masks.

The guidance also applies to staff and visitors at all schools and childcare settings. The Department of Education (DfE) said its guidance was temporary and would be reviewed in three weeks. However, for most secondary state schools in England, there are only approximately three weeks left of the Christmas term. 

Monday 15 November 2021

Research done by the BBC suggests 75% of young carers in England are not known to councils. A young carer is someone under 18 who cares for a family member or friend with a physical or mental health illness or disability. Caring can have a dramatic detrimental effect on the education and aspirations of young and young adult carers. The COVID-19 pandemic risks exacerbating the situation, stopping young carers from reaching their full potential. 

Monday 1 November 2021

MITEY is a national network and campaign which works to bring more men into the early years education workforce, and support them once they are part of it. They have teamed up with PACEY (the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) on a project to promote careers in childcare to men as well as women through Job Centre Plus.

If you’re a man interested in a career in childcare – or you know men who might be – there are free online sessions happening on the following dates:

• Tuesday 9 November at 10am
• Wednesday 17 November at 1pm
• Thursday 18 November at 10am
• Thursday 2 December at 10am
• Monday 13 December at 1pm

To take part, email PACEY with your preferred date, and they'll do the rest!

Monday 25 October 2021

The Government have announced the creation of a network of family hubs across England, where thousands of families are to receive extra support as part of a £500m package. Launching in 75 local authorities, the family hubs are described as 'one-stop shops' for advice and guidance.