For our Childcare Survey 2026, parents told us what they value about childcare for their children: interacting with others, making friends, developing new language, motor and life skills, and being part of a community.https://www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/childcare-survey-2026/

The cost of childcare is out of reach for many families who don’t qualify for government funded entitlements, so many disadvantaged children could miss out on early education: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi... #ChildcareSurvey2026

Today, we’re launching a free best practice guide and podcast on school readiness that takes a holistic approach to supporting young children & families, with practical examples from 10 years of work across A Better Start partnerships @TNLCF www.ncb.org.uk/what-we-do/p...

Our Childcare Survey 2026 shows a positive picture of the expansion roll out, with three-quarters of local authorities in England reporting enough available childcare for at least 75% of children under 2 who are eligible for the 30-hour entitlement: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

The expansion of the 30-hour funded childcare entitlement in England means a p/t (25 hours) childcare place for a child under two is now theoretically free for eligible families during term-time. #ChildcareSurvey2026 published today: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

Our Childcare Survey 2026 shows that less than half (44%) of local authorities in England report having enough childcare for at least 75% of early years children with SEND in their area, and this falls to 23% for school aged children with SEND: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

Gaps in availability of childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is one of the most concerning and consistent findings of our Childcare Survey over the last 25 years: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

Disadvantaged children are being priced out of early years education. Families not eligible for childcare entitlements pay an average of £189 per week for a part-time nursery place for a child under two. #ChildcareSurvey2026 www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

For families eligible for the funded childcare entitlement (now 30 hours), a part-time place may now be free during term-time. But costs have risen in England for parents not eligible for the funded entitlement. Childcare Survey 2026: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

Our Childcare Survey 2026 shows year-on-year rise in childcare costs for under-twos in England over 25 years, until expansion of funded entitlements in 2024-25 brought the cost of p/t childcare for eligible working parents back to 2005 level: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/chi...

On Wednesday this week we will be publishing our Childcare Survey 2026, with a special section on what has changed in the 25 years since we first ran the survey. #Childcaresurvey2026

Do you work with babies and young children in England or Wales? Want to help shape a major research project all about creating healthy environments for children? Join in an online workshop in April/May, and receive a £40 voucher. More info: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/healthy-envi...

Today, parents with children aged 2 to 4 are joining our Books Together family reading session at Newbury Hall Children’s Centre, Redbridge. Find out more about Books Together and take a look at our new video here: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/new-vid...

On World Book Day, we're sharing a new video of parents talking about how our Books Together sessions help families of children aged 2 to 4. Here, a parent in a recent session in Lambeth, talks about how it helped her daughter. #WorldBookDay www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/new-vid...

Today we welcome families to their Books Together reading session in Treehouse Children’s Centre, Lambeth. Some parents in Lambeth talk about the benefits of Books Together in our new video. Take a look here: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/new-vid...

Our Parent Champions schemes support thousands of families. Find out how Leila and Jasmine encourage and inspire their amazing teams of Parent Champions volunteers: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/leila-a...

One of the many benefits that NAFIS members enjoy is our annual conference. Over 120 delegates heard from more than a dozen fantastic speakers at the NAFIS Conference 2025. Read more here: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/nafis-c...

We’re looking forward to our NAFIS webinar tomorrow with Beebot AI. This webinar will explore how AI can support the delivery of a modern Family Information Service. It is open to all NAFIS members and their LA colleagues.

Today we’re welcoming families to their Books Together reading session in Slade Children’s Centre, Greenwich. Parents/carers can explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Books Together is open to LAs in London. More info: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Time to close the gap. In this blog, Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, reflects on recent positive steps to reduce child poverty, but says more is needed to reduce disadvantage in the early years: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/time-to...

To start National Storytelling Week, we welcomed families to a fun-packed Books Together session in Greenwich. Our Books together programme helps families with children aged 2 to 4 learn fun ways of enjoying stories and reading together: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Today we’re welcoming families to our Books Together reading session in Waterways Children’s Centre, Greenwich. Parents and carers come together to explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

We’re looking forward to learning more about SCARF resources which help early years settings with practical activities to nurture children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) in our NAFIS webinar today with Donna Hill and Jenny Lorimer from @coramlifeeducation.bsky.social

Today we’re welcoming families to our Books Together reading session in Waterways Children’s Centre, Greenwich. Reading with children builds bonds and supports the brain and language skills from as early as two weeks old. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Does hybrid working improve work-life balance for parents? How do they organise childcare? Do some have to juggle working and childcare? A new research programme will explore these questions. Read Dr Naomi Finch’s blog: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/exploring-hybrid-work-and-childcare/

The amazing volunteers in our 38 Parent Champions schemes across the country support more than 40,000 families a year. The programme is open to all local authorities: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/parent-champ...

Time to close the gap. In this blog, Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, reflects on recent positive steps to reduce child poverty, but says more is needed to reduce disadvantage in the early years: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/time-to...

The government aims to increase children achieving school readiness from 68% to 75% by 2028. Our new report explores practical examples from 10 years of A Better Start & highlights approaches that recognise the vital role of families, schools and communities @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk buff.ly/id71pYT

Wishing a very Happy Festive Season to all the Family Information Services who work so hard all year to offer advice, guidance and support to families in their local communities. www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/nafis/

Over 120 delegates attended our recent NAFIS Conference 2025, to hear from some fantastic speakers. You can read all about it here: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/nafis-c...

Over 82,000 children in care in England are waiting to be fostered or adopted. Not every child has a safe beginning. Help us create a new start and loving home by donating to our Christmas appeal: coram.org.uk/christmas Home is where the start is ❤️ #WeAreCoram #Charity

Parent Champions schemes support thousands of families. Find out how Leila and Jasmine encourage and inspire their amazing teams of Parent Champions volunteers: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/news/leila-a...

Today we’re welcoming families to their third Books Together session at Agar Children’s Centre and Family Hub, Camden. Parents and carers come together to explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Despite the roll out of more funded childcare, our research shows the widening disadvantage gap for many pre-school children. That is why we are calling for a universal right to 30 hours of funded early education for all children: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/research/ear...

Today we welcomed families to their second Books Together session at Agar Children’s Centre and Family Hub, Camden. Parents and carers came together to explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Congratulations to Suffolk Family Information Service, winners of the NAFIS Award 2025 for Best Community Engagement! #NAFIS25

Congratulations to @readingcouncil.bsky.social Family Information Service, winners of two NAFIS Awards 2025 for Best Local Offer Directory, and for Best Family Information Service Directory! #NAFIS25

Congratulations to @cornwallcouncil.bsky.social Family Information Service, winner of the NAFIS Award 2025 for Best Promotion of the Expanded Childcare Entitlements! #NAFIS25

Today at the NAFIS Conference 2025 we'll be hearing from @corampacey.bsky.social @workingfamiliesuk.bsky.social and @coramlifeeducation.bsky.social Great to see so many Family Information Services here sharing learning and ideas #NAFIS25

This morning at the NAFIS Conference we’ll be hearing from @departmentforedu.bsky.social @ofstednews.bsky.social and @savechildrenuk.bsky.social Maria Sciara is our first speaker #NAFIS25

Much excitement here as the NAFIS Conference 2025 begins shortly. Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, will welcome delegates from local authorities across the country #NAFIS25

Today we’re welcoming families to their third Books Together session at Downham Library, Lewisham. Families come together to explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Today we’re welcoming families to their second Books Together session at Newbury Hall Children’s Centre, Redbridge. Reading with children builds bonds and supports the brain and language skills from as early as two weeks old. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

Registration is still open for the NAFIS Conference and Awards 2025. Two days packed with expert speakers and workshops. Open to all local authorities who are NAFIS members. www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/nafis/nafis-... If you’d like to join NAFIS, please get in touch.

Today families are coming together for their second Books Together session at Downham Library, Lewisham. Parents can explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

You can still book for #NAFISConference2025. Hear from @departmentforedu.bsky.social @ofstednews.bsky.social @coramlifeeducation.bsky.social @corampacey.bsky.social @workingfamiliesuk.bsky.social and many others. www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/nafis/nafis-...

Today we’re welcoming families to our Books Together session at Newbury Hall Children’s Centre, Redbridge. Reading with children builds bonds and supports the brain and language skills from as early as two weeks old. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...

The gap between government entitlements for disadvantaged children and those with working parents is wider than ever before. A child with eligible working parents will receive three times as much government-funded early education than a disadvantaged child, by the time they start school.

Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, is giving evidence this morning to the Education Committee on 'Early Years: improving support to children and families'. The rise in the numbers of children living in poverty is being discussed as a major factor affecting school readiness.

Today we welcome families to our Books Together session at Downham Library, Lewisham. Parents and carers come together to explore new ways of encouraging young children to enjoy books. Find out more: www.coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk/books-togeth...