New research from @thenfer.bsky.social highlights the scale of the workforce challenge facing early education and childcare in England. www.nfer.ac.uk/publications... (1/4)

The publication of the Schools White Paper marks an important day for everyone involved in the SEND system, from children and families to the professionals who support them. (1/3)

A new survey of over 4,800 childminders collated by Coalition member @corampacey.bsky.social warns that changes linked to Making Tax Digital, including the removal of the long standing 10% wear and tear allowance, could push over half of childminders out of the workforce. Read more: bit.ly/4tAkXDS

We are delighted to welcome Sue Robb as the new Best Start in Life Champion at @departmentforedu.bsky.social. We look forward to working with Sue as the Best Start in Life strategy moves from ambition into delivery. www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news...

“Many childminders are now saying they may have to close, reduce funded places, or stop offering flexible care, which will directly affect families who rely on us.” The 'wear and tear' allowance must stay in place. Childminders need more support, not more obstacles. inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

We've joined with 64 other organisations to welcome this important first step in the fight to end child poverty. Read our joint statement here: cpag.org.uk/news/stateme...

📢 Call for evidence In April, the Government will be publishing guidance on early years screen time. They are interested in hearing from pedgagogy and education experts, researchers and education charities in order to inform parental guidance. consult.education.gov.uk/behaviour-te...

Data drives change. If you’re a parent, please take a few minutes to add your voice to Coalition member Pregnant Then Screwed’s State of the Nation survey pregnantthenscrewed.typeform.com/SOTN2025?utm...

Coalition member @eyalliance.bsky.social has launched a new ‘State of the sector’ survey for early years providers looking at the impact of recent policy changes. They want to hear your views. Complete the survey by 3rd Feb Please share with your networks ⬇️ www.eyalliance.org.uk/carousel/hav...

We welcome today's announcement that the Government will invest £200m in CPD across early years, schools and further education. It is vital that this training is accessible to all early years professionals, whether they are based in a group setting or at home. schoolsweek.co.uk/new-200m-sch...

Last week's guidance from the Department for Education confirmed the following welcome changes: ➡️The pass-through rate will increase from 96% to 97% ➡️LAs must inform providers of funding rates by 28 February ➡️All providers, including childminders, should be paid monthly www.gov.uk/government/p...

Our newsletter brings together the key updates, research and decisions shaping the system, all in one place. Open to everyone, not just Coalition members. Sign up here www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/contact

This powerful article from @theirworld.bsky.social & @unicef.org makes a clear and persuasive case for why early education is one of the smartest investments we can make, and why the early years deserve far more attention in global policy debates. Read more

Read our response to the new funding rate announcement here earlyeducationchildcare.org/press

While this year's Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers shows a small rise in available places, overall, the data paints a picture of a system under intense pressure. ➡️ The total number of providers has fallen, driven by a further drop in the number of Ofsted-registered childminders 1/4

It was great to see several Coalition members and supporters give evidence to the Education Committee this week as part of the inquiry Early Years: Improving Support for Children and Families @eyalliance.bsky.social @earlyed-uk.bsky.social @corampacey.bsky.social @ndnatalk.bsky.social (1/3)

Executive Director, Early Education and Childcare Coalition, @sarahronan.bsky.social comments: “We are delighted to see the Government recognise that access to affordable childcare is essential in tackling the scourge of child poverty, and we welcome today’s landmark strategy." (1/9)

"This Budget brings significant support for many of the families who need it the most. We are delighted to see the two-child limit scrapped, and an increase to the amount of childcare support available to those on Universal Credit." (1/3)

We wholeheartedly back any rise in pay for a workforce that has been undervalued for too long. But, as our recent research with Dr Gillian Paull and Frontier Economics has shown, increases in the minimum wage hit early years harder than most sectors because so many staff are paid close to that rate.

Ahead of the Budget, and with the Child Poverty Strategy expected soon, members of the EECC are calling for action that strengthens the early education system and tackles child poverty at its roots. This is what we want to see in the coming days

This World Children's Day, we're calling on the Government to improve access to early education and childcare as part of its child poverty strategy. Early years provision helps families avoid hardship today, and reduces poverty over the course of a child's life. labourlist.org/2025/11/chil...

We’ve joined more than 100 organisations in calling on the government to scrap the two-child limit in full. Every child deserves the best start in life, yet this policy is pushing too many families into hardship. Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli... @cpaguk.bsky.social

Our newsletter isn’t just for Coalition members. Get sector news, policy insights, research highlights and event updates straight to your inbox. Sign up here today www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/contact

Don’t miss these free learning opportunities from our members. On Nov 6th, Coalition Member, Dingley's Promise are hosting a free webinar packed with practical, evidence-based strategies to improve transitions into school for children with SEND Register here: bit.ly/4qGHk92

With the Best Start in Life strategy highlighting the role of private equity in early education, the Education Secretary has now further confirmed that the Government is monitoring consolidation among larger providers.

A new report from Bremner & Co reveals that while the Government has pledged to extend free school meals to all Universal Credit households from September 2026, 290,000 disadvantaged children under five will still miss out. Read more here: bremnerco.com/report-too-y...

Are you a parent in England who uses private nurseries or childminders and receives the childcare element of Universal Credit but struggles to pay for nursery meals? Please contact [email protected] if you would be willing to speak to a journalist.

In our latest guest blog Dr Sara Bonetti and Dr @nathanarcher.bsky.social explore the potential of an early years professional register: what it could achieve, the questions that still need to be answered, and what we can learn from other sectors. Read the full piece here: bit.ly/4obJyLK

Our Executive Director, @sarahronan.bsky.social, reflects on her own early years and how those experiences shaped her passion for the system in this feature for @nurseryworld.bsky.social Read the full piece on the link: www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/feat...

Thanks to everyone who came to our packed out event at the Labour Party Conference, it was inspiring to see so many show their support @oliviabailey.bsky.social @mayaellismp.bsky.social @kamalpreetkaur.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @sarahronan.bsky.social

Join the Coalition for breakfast at the Labour Party Conference 📅Mon 29th Sept 🕘9-10am 📍Suite 3/4/5 of the Leonardo Hotel With panellists @oliviabailey.bsky.social @mayaellismp.bsky.social @kamalpreetkaur.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social @savechildrenuk.bsky.social @sarahronan.bsky.social

Join our expert panel for breakfast at the Labour Party Conference Childcare Reform: Building a Legacy that Lasts Date: Mon 29 September Time: 9–10am Place: Suite 3/4/5, Leonardo Hotel @sarahronan.bsky.social @mayaellismp.bsky.social @oliviabailey.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social

Are you a male working in an early year's setting? Join our Sector Advisory Panel! We are looking for a male nursery worker (non-managerial role), working in a PVI Setting nursery in England (outside of London) to join our advisory panel. 📅 Closing date: 28/09/25 🔗 More info: lnkd.in/emV66uXv

Don’t miss a thing. You don’t have to be a member of the Coalition to get our newsletter, packed with sector updates, policy analysis, research highlights and upcoming events.
 Stay in the loop by signing up here today www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/contact

"I recruited during Covid times for NHS 111 and thought that was tricky – this is a whole new ball game.” We were pleased to support NFER’s new research, which highlights the scale of the workforce challenge as quoted in this BBC piece. Read the full story here: www.bbc.com/news/article...

Today marks the final phase of the 30 hours expansion. Our director Sarah Ronan, warns that it would be 'unwise to think this is the end of the road [when] the sector is operating in really difficult financial circumstances'.

"Breaking the link between background and opportunity does not start at the school gate, it starts in the nursery doorway." Read our guest post on the Best Start in Life Strategy for Sutton Trust www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...

Under the current childcare system in England, many families are missing out on extra childcare support from government. @coalitionedcare.bsky.social Director Sarah Ronan reiterates the importance of ensuring the system delivers for all in our latest guest blog ⤵️ www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion...

Media request 📢 Are you an early years provider in the North East struggling to meet demand this Sept either due to funding/staffing challenges? Or a parent who can't find the place they need? If you would be willing to speak to media today, please email us [email protected]

"Unless the government is prepared to tackle the thorny issue of low pay, it will never grow the early years workforce to meet demand, let alone improve its status or diversity." Our director, Sarah Ronan, writes for Tes magazine 👇 www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has launched seven animated films exploring the science behind early social and emotional development. These short videos show how everyday moments of connection can have a long-term positive impact on a child’s life. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

While we all welcome the Government's vision for early years and stand ready to work in partnership to make it a reality, that won't happen without addressing the chronic underfunding of early years entitlements. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

📢Calling all small early years business owners! Coalition member, FSB wants your views on the future of skills, whether it’s apprenticeships, in-work training, or engaging with schools. Your insights will help shape key policies Take the survey: 🔗https://www.unbrandedfsbbigvoice.uk/c/r/Skills

📢 Almost half the public thinks the Government needs to do more to bring down the cost of childcare. Our annual Pulse Check report provides unique insight into how the public and parents view early years and the Government's efforts. Read it www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/pulse-check

The disadvantage gap at age five has widened to 4.7 months, according to the Education Policy Institute while the number of two-year-olds registered for the disadvantaged early years entitlements is down by 18% (DfE). Does the Best Start in Life Strategy include enough to tackle this? 1/2

Parents and the wider public think access to early education should be about a child's needs. Read more in our annual Pulse Check report ➡️ bit.ly/44CuL5J

NEW 📢 Families are paying an average of £1,000 per child for six weeks of holiday childcare, according to coalition member Coram Family and Childcare's annual holiday childcare survey. Read it here 👇 www.coram.org.uk/news/holiday...

Catch up on our Pulse Check webinar below 👇 We were delighted to be joined by @mayaellismp.bsky.social & panellists from @moreincommonuk.bsky.social @pregthenscrewed.bsky.social @eyalliance.bsky.social and @savechildrenuk.bsky.social youtu.be/iI-wdKg6gsc

A year into a Labour Government, public support for investing in early education and childcare continues to grow. But so do concerns about cost, availability and quality. In partnership with More in Common, our report explores how attitudes are shifting: www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/pulse-check

We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for Best Policy Initiative of the Year at the @ThirdSector Awards. It’s great to see recognition for everyone in our coalition who worked tirelessly to keep early education and childcare on the agenda. Thank you to all our members and supporters.