Oxfordshire branch event & AGM - 20th May 2026 - 18:00 – 20:00 - Hosted at The Slade School Working together to promote robust language development in the early years https://ow.ly/tXGX50YB6lx #EarlyEducation #EarlyYears #Oxfordshire

Have your say: a draft of the revised version of Birth to 5 Matters is now out for comment. View the draft and give your views on the new sections and other changes by 30 April: https://birthto5matters.org.uk/

We welcome the new Inclusive Early Years fund for early years providers in England as another small step towards ensuring all children's needs can be met. Resourcing, training, funding and accountability are all vital to ensuring the needs of all children are met: https://ow.ly/59B550YyOs1

Oxfordshire branch Event - 9th May 2026 - Woodwork in the early years with Pete Moorhouse - Hosted at Flo's Nature Nursery Find out more and book at: https://ow.ly/q3Iq50YxYQ7

Members can now read the latest issue of the Early Education Journal, focusing on early years workforce policy across the UK and beyond: https://ow.ly/q6f450Ysr1X

Read our latest guest blog from Dominic Gunn on the SEND reform consultation and the Schools White Paper: https://ow.ly/CFxy50YroTS Members can attend our free discussion event about the SEND reforms on 23 March https://ow.ly/UxoQ50YroTT

alling all Early Education members! 60% of respondents to our membership survey say campaigning and advocacy is the most important aspect of membership and 40% would like more topic-based networking opportunities. Do you agree? Give us your feedback: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BWY8ZTQ

Read our latest guest blog about how the Early Years Library can support you to develop evidence-informed practice, drawing on what we can learn from evaluation of multiple programmes and approaches: https://early-education.org.uk/early-years-library/

We welcome the ambition behind the new Schools White Paper and SEND reform consultation, and their recognition of the key role of early childhood education in these: https://early-education.org.uk/what-do-the-schools-white-paper-and-send-consultation-mean-for-early-years/

Calling all Early Education members! Have you given us your feedback on Early Education membership and services? Take 5 minutes to give us your views so we can give you more of what you want. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BWY8ZTQ

We welcome the DfE announcement about funding for new Early Years Degree Apprenticeships, which is a positive step to raising quality and improving career progression opportunities in early childhood education. Read more: www.gov.uk/government/n... #EarlyYears #apprenticeships #EarlyEducation

We welcome today's launch of Phase 3 of the School Based Nursery Programme: 3-yr timeframe, led by local authorities. focusing on areas of disadvantage and children with SEND, where maintained sector has the strongest track record. Scope to partner with PVIs/CMs imptt too. https://ow.ly/664F50Y8FVc

Our NI conference on 21 March: Exploring Froebelian principles for contemporary practice - is open for bookings and includes a keynote from Dr Stella Louis on The timelessness of Froebelian principles – reflections on Froebel’s pedagogy today. Book now: app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat...

Out now! Read our latest guest blog, about nurturing nature in the early years, and the National Education Nature Park: early-education.org.uk/nurturing-na...

We welcome the investment in SEND training for the early years workforce to improve the inclusiveness of all early years settings, following the announcement from DfE that every teacher will be required to receive SEND training to support pupils. Read more here: www.gov.uk/government/n...

New podcast alert! Listen to Debi Keyte-Hartland talk about the #SPACEtoFlourish programme, its aims for children and practitioners and how Early Education has supported it: early-education.org.uk/learning/#po... Get in touch to find out more. #earlylearning #earlyyears

Our latest Journal is out now! This issue explores the pedagogy of home-based childcare: app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat... Our new podcast is also live; join us for a conversation about home-based childcare: early-education.org.uk/learning/#po...

Download our major new report on the Early Years Workforce, funded by Nuffield Foundation with recommendations for the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments on addressing qualification requirements, career progression, pay, status and diversity. https://ow.ly/Wubh50XyJTP

Birth to 5 Matters is to be reviewed and relaunched with a second edition, to ensure it is up to date and best meets the needs of the sector. We need people across the sector to complete a short survey to help guide priorities for the review: www.surveymonkey.com/r/88Z6Q9L.

We've enjoyed hosting the Maintained Nursery Schools (MNS) Headteachers' Conference today. Thank you to @oliviabailey.bsky.social, Minister for Early Education, for coming along and talking about the government's Best Start in Life Strategy. #maintainednurseryschools #earlyyears

Really interesting to hear Felicity Vivien talk about @beingbrilliant at today's MNS Headteachers' Conference. Felicity talked about how to navigate turbulent times and explained how "breathing is underrated and powerful". What did you think? #earlylearning #earlyyears

Birth to 5 Matters is to be updated in a second edition. To help the revised guidance, we need people across the sector to get involved to help fill any gaps. Have your say via the survey in the link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/88Z6Q9L #Bto5M #Birthto5Matters

Find a range of online courses delivered by early years experts this Autumn. Engage with key topics over a series of sessions. Book now: early-education.org.uk/news/events/ Become an Early Education member to get discounted rates on courses. Find out more: early-education.org.uk/membership/

There’s still time to book our new Learning Circle: Enhancing outdoor learning and teaching environments, with Professor Helen Bilton. The 5-session course will run online, starting 22 Oct. Book here: app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat...

Our extensive Autumn training programme is available to book. If you’re looking for your next CPD opportunity, find a range of online courses by early years experts. Engage in-depth with key topics as part of our learning circle format. Find all course details: early-education.org.uk/news/events/

A new UK research project will soon begin charting the lives of thousands of babies, providing insights into early childhood. Funded by UKRI and ESRC, the study will recruit families from summer 2026. Read more: www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/uk-launches-...

There’s still time to book your place to our Scotland conference which this year focuses on play in early learning and childcare. It will take place in Aberdeen on 27 September to celebrate the 90th anniversary of our Aberdeen branch. Book now! app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat...

Still time to book our FREE taster session highlighting our Autumn courses, incl: enhancing outdoor learning and teaching environments. Online, 18 Sept, 7-8pm Book: //app.sheepcrm.com/early-education/events/early-education-booking-686e3b767e8ea6e64ea043ba

#Ofsted has published its new Education Inspection Framework. We are pleased that it will move to inspecting early years providers within a 4-year cycle rather than a 6-year cycle as at present Read more here: early-education.org.uk/ofsted-publi... #earlyeducationmatters

We’re pleased to confirm that after extensive lobbying from Early Education, the @departmentforedu.bsky.social has extended eligibility for the School-based Nursery (SBN) Capital Grant Funding to maintained nursery schools in the second phase of the programme. #earlyeducation

Join us for our annual Scotland conference, which this year focuses on: play in early learning and childcare, taking place on 27th September in Aberdeen. Book here: app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat... #conference #playinearlylearning #earlyeducation

Join us on 18 September for a free taster session of what's on offer in our upcoming courses this Autumn. Online, 18 September, 7-8pm. Sign up here: app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat... #earlyeducation #earlylearning

Our latest report, Comparative analysis of early years workforce policy in the four UK nations, identifies common issues & challenges around quality, equity & sustainability. @nuffieldfoundation.org @stranbelfast.bsky.social @uwtsd.bsky.social #earlyeducation early-education.org.uk/eyw4n-interi...

We're pleased to see the latest wave of the @DfE #DoSomethingBig campaign aims to encourage more men to join the #earlyyears workforce. It highlights how children thrive when they see both men & women in nurturing roles and supports healthy development. #earlyeducationmatters

New research by @NEF shows only 11% of the poorest households will be eligible for the expanded funded childcare hours; 85% of the richest households will benefit & proposes a new model: 15 hours for all children from 9 months & a progressive cap on charges for additional hours.

The Spatial Reasoning Toolkit resources are available to purchase here: early-education.org.uk/books-resour... Spatial reasoning is a vital aspect of maths. This toolkit supports practitioners to enhance children’s early mathematical learning. #earlyyearseducation

The latest @departmentforedu.bsky.social stats on funded early education entitlements show the take up of the universal entitlement for 3 & 4 yr olds has dropped to 93%; the take up of the disadvantaged 2-year-old offer was down to 65%. This the lowest on record. #earlyyearseducation

Our Autumn #courses are now available to book! If you’re looking for your next CPD opportunity, find a range of online courses delivered by #earlyyears experts from September. Find out more and book here: early-education.org.uk/news/events/ #earlyeducation

Shout out to our Gloucestershire branch, who recently held the event - Introducing The Forest Play Approach. A great day to be out in #nature and learn about #outdoorlearning in the #earlyyears. Read more about outdoor learning here: rb.gy/y3lehp

Government has launched its Best Start in Life Strategy, “to drive up the quality, affordability and accessibility of early years education and boost children’s life chances” with funding of £1.5bn. Read more here: early-education.org.uk/best-start-i... #beststartinlife #earlyeducation

We still have early bird tickets available for our Scotland #conference 2025, which has a focus on play in early learning and childcare. Book now app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat... #playinearlyyears #playweek2025 @careinspectorate.bsky.social @earlyyearsscotland.bsky.social

Great to see so many organisations celebrating play! @eyalliance.bsky.social is running its National #weekofplay until 6 July. Get involved: www.eyalliance.org.uk/playweek2025 #PlayWeek2025

Join us on 27 September for our annual Scotland conference, with this year's theme being Play in early learning and childcare. We'll look at curriculum, environments, documentation and listening to children. Book now: app.sheepcrm.com/early-educat... @educationscotland.bsky.social

Our new report with NAHT and Unison on the financial outlook for maintained nursery schools finds rising need but falling resources. Ahead of #SR2025, we call on govt to ensure EY funding, including MNS Supplementary Funding, covers real costs. ow.ly/VZbw50W6mGP

The Spatial Reasoning Toolkit resources, developed by the ECMG, are available to purchase: early-education.org.uk/books-resour... Spatial reasoning is a vital and often overlooked aspect of mathematics. This toolkit will support practitioners to enhance children’s early mathematical learning.

Government has announced that #freeschoolmeals (FSM) in England will be extended to all children in families receiving Universal Credit, including those on roll in nurseries in primary and nursery schools from 2026. Read our comments: early-education.org.uk/free-school-... #earlyeducation

We’re one of 70+ orgs united in standing with the Prime Minister’s commitment to the early years. Together, we’re urging @Keir_Starmer to support children and families from conception to reception by making this ambition a reality at the #SpendingReview2025. buff.ly/RVogQQq

We stand behind @primeministeruk.bsky.social Keir Starmer's focus on early childhood in his #PlanforChange. Now is the time to invest so that every child, from conception to reception, has the Best Start in Life. buff.ly/RVogQQq #BestStartInLife #SpendingReview2025

As it's #volunteersweek we'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful branch officers for all of the work they do running our branches and arranging the events. Here's a photo of our #aberdeen branch celebrating their centenary 🙂 Find out more: early-education.org.uk