Latest news with #EarlyYearsAlliance
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough pre-school to close next month over financial issues
A group of parents have said they have been left in a "difficult position" after a pre-school announced it would close in one Pre-School in Bretton, Peterborough, have informed parents that it will shut on 22 June due to financial pre-school, which is run by Early Years Alliance, said the decision was "a direct result of the acute financial pressure created by the continued underfunding of the early years sector".Hayden Mills, whose toddler has been going to the childcare facility since April, said the announcement "sprung out of nowhere" adding that it was "unfair to parents and staff". "It is going to be such a struggle for parents... especially if both work," he added. 'Nightmare' The pre-school, which currently has 50 children, is located next to Eyrescroft Primary School, but is run April Ofsted rated the pre-school as good. One mum, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC the closure would be "a nightmare"."My younger one was supposed to start there in September. Other nurseries have long waiting lists so, I am actually panicking." Billie Jeffreys two-year-old child attends the pre-school."If you close one childcare setting then you are going to force more children to go to another setting which will lead to a rise in costs because they will need more staff to maintain the children ratio."It is just going to move the struggles from one child setting to another," she said. Another mum, who wanted to rename anonymous, said she was "gutted" by the closure."It is insane. If the pre-school shuts - my daughter might have to stay at home until she starts primary school next year." Currently children aged over nine months and under three receive 15 hours of government-funded childcare. This will increase to 30 hours from September, which is already offered to three and four-year-olds.A spokesperson for Yearly Years Alliance, said the financial challenges were "exacerbated" by recent national insurance changes and national minimum wage rises."We will do all we can to give them [the parents] the support they need throughout this process."Katy Cole, a Labour councillor and the cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council, said parents were being encouraged to engage with the consultation process regarding the closure."The local authority has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient early years places and will work closely with the provider following the outcome of the consultation to ensure that this duty is fulfilled," she said. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Proposed changes to space requirements in nurseries ‘could lead to overcrowding'
The Government's proposals to change minimum space requirements in early years settings to help with the expansion of funded childcare could result in 'overcrowding', a charity has warned. The 'quality of provision' in early years and childcare settings could be affected if the implementation of proposed reforms are not properly monitored, according to the Early Years Alliance (EYA). The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on possible changes to the indoor floor space requirements per child in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) frameworks in England. It comes as the expansion of funded childcare – which was introduced by the Conservative government – began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months are also now able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full roll-out of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September. The DfE consultation is seeking views on whether or not 'free-flow' outdoor areas should be able to be included in floor space measurements for two-year-olds and above. Currently, outdoor areas cannot be included in the EYFS indoor space measurements where indoor activity in a building forms the main part of, or is integral to, the early years provision. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the EYA, said: 'While we recognise that some settings may welcome the additional flexibility that would be created by this change, we remain concerned about the impact that such a policy could have on the quality of provision – and in particular, the risk that these reforms could result in overcrowding in some settings if the implementation, assuming these proposals go ahead, is not properly monitored. 'We're clear that ensuring the safety and well-being of young children must always be at the heart of early years education and care. 'And yet, as we get closer to the final stage of the entitlement expansion, it appears that the need to create new places is constantly being prioritised over and above the need to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality early years provision.' From Monday, working parents of children who turn nine-months-old before September 1 can apply to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said women would be given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare. She told the Daily Mail: 'They will be able to make choices about the career that's right for them, the hours that they want, but also (have) the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours. 'That brings huge benefits to working women and this is a generational shift in terms of the new funding that's been put in place.' Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said: 'Consulting on the use of outdoor space is a positive step that recognises changes in research and best practice about how children can learn and develop in the outdoor environment. 'It will be important to ensure that this approach is based on best practice and what is best for children. 'There is also a need to review the indoor space requirements because no-one knows how they were defined and have not been reviewed in living memory. 'However, even if providers can increase capacity based on space, providers are still telling us that they need more staff to be able to meet local demand for places.' A DfE spokeswoman said: 'As we deliver on our ambitious Plan for Change to get more children ready for school at age five, we are exploring new ways to help providers offer more high-quality childcare places for working families, that include access to outdoor space. 'Outdoor play provides huge benefits to children, providers strongly support these proposals and the consultation is clear we would include safeguards to prevent overcrowding and to make sure any outdoor space used is high quality and beneficial to children's development. 'This comes alongside over £8 billion in funding, our rollout of school-based nurseries and new early years qualifications to help deliver an early years system that gives every child the best start in life.'
Rhyl Journal
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Proposed changes to space requirements in nurseries ‘could lead to overcrowding'
The 'quality of provision' in early years and childcare settings could be affected if the implementation of proposed reforms are not properly monitored, according to the Early Years Alliance (EYA). The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on possible changes to the indoor floor space requirements per child in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) frameworks in England. It comes as the expansion of funded childcare – which was introduced by the Conservative government – began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months are also now able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full roll-out of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September. The DfE consultation is seeking views on whether or not 'free-flow' outdoor areas should be able to be included in floor space measurements for two-year-olds and above. Currently, outdoor areas cannot be included in the EYFS indoor space measurements where indoor activity in a building forms the main part of, or is integral to, the early years provision. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the EYA, said: 'While we recognise that some settings may welcome the additional flexibility that would be created by this change, we remain concerned about the impact that such a policy could have on the quality of provision – and in particular, the risk that these reforms could result in overcrowding in some settings if the implementation, assuming these proposals go ahead, is not properly monitored. 'We're clear that ensuring the safety and well-being of young children must always be at the heart of early years education and care. 'And yet, as we get closer to the final stage of the entitlement expansion, it appears that the need to create new places is constantly being prioritised over and above the need to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality early years provision.' From Monday, working parents of children who turn nine-months-old before September 1 can apply to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said women would be given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare. She told the Daily Mail: 'They will be able to make choices about the career that's right for them, the hours that they want, but also (have) the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours. 'That brings huge benefits to working women and this is a generational shift in terms of the new funding that's been put in place.' Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said: 'Consulting on the use of outdoor space is a positive step that recognises changes in research and best practice about how children can learn and develop in the outdoor environment. 'It will be important to ensure that this approach is based on best practice and what is best for children. 'There is also a need to review the indoor space requirements because no-one knows how they were defined and have not been reviewed in living memory. 'However, even if providers can increase capacity based on space, providers are still telling us that they need more staff to be able to meet local demand for places.'
Western Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Proposed changes to space requirements in nurseries ‘could lead to overcrowding'
The 'quality of provision' in early years and childcare settings could be affected if the implementation of proposed reforms are not properly monitored, according to the Early Years Alliance (EYA). The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on possible changes to the indoor floor space requirements per child in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) frameworks in England. It comes as the expansion of funded childcare – which was introduced by the Conservative government – began being rolled out in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months are also now able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full roll-out of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September. The DfE consultation is seeking views on whether or not 'free-flow' outdoor areas should be able to be included in floor space measurements for two-year-olds and above. Currently, outdoor areas cannot be included in the EYFS indoor space measurements where indoor activity in a building forms the main part of, or is integral to, the early years provision. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the EYA, said: 'While we recognise that some settings may welcome the additional flexibility that would be created by this change, we remain concerned about the impact that such a policy could have on the quality of provision – and in particular, the risk that these reforms could result in overcrowding in some settings if the implementation, assuming these proposals go ahead, is not properly monitored. 'We're clear that ensuring the safety and well-being of young children must always be at the heart of early years education and care. 'And yet, as we get closer to the final stage of the entitlement expansion, it appears that the need to create new places is constantly being prioritised over and above the need to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality early years provision.' Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said women would be given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare (Aaron Chown/PA) From Monday, working parents of children who turn nine-months-old before September 1 can apply to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said women would be given added 'freedom' to have more children by expanded government-funded childcare. She told the Daily Mail: 'They will be able to make choices about the career that's right for them, the hours that they want, but also (have) the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours. 'That brings huge benefits to working women and this is a generational shift in terms of the new funding that's been put in place.' Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association, said: 'Consulting on the use of outdoor space is a positive step that recognises changes in research and best practice about how children can learn and develop in the outdoor environment. 'It will be important to ensure that this approach is based on best practice and what is best for children. 'There is also a need to review the indoor space requirements because no-one knows how they were defined and have not been reviewed in living memory. 'However, even if providers can increase capacity based on space, providers are still telling us that they need more staff to be able to meet local demand for places.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rise in serious care incidents reported by nurseries
There have been almost 20,000 reports of serious childcare incidents in nurseries in England in the past five years, the BBC has found. That is an average of about 75 "significant events" reported to Ofsted each week - including incidents of serious injury or significant harm. There have even been rare cases involving deaths. The latest figures for serious incidents in the year 2023-24 are 40% higher than five years previously. Ofsted - which inspects England's education providers - says the rise may, in part, be due to its increased efforts to ensure nurseries report such events. Industry body, the Early Years Alliance, says most providers prioritise safety and that safeguarding breaches are extremely rare. But the parents of a baby killed by a nursery worker in 2022 describe the figures as "horrifying" and are calling for stronger safeguarding measures. Details of organisations offering support with child bereavement are available at BBC Action Line Nurseries made more than 4,200 reports of serious childcare incidents in 2023-24, compared with 3,021 in 2019-20 - according to Ofsted figures, obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request. Ofsted - which regulates more than 27,000 non-domestic childcare settings in England - says these were reports it assessed as urgent. Incidents could range from injuries or illnesses, to serious accidents and deaths. They also include events affecting nursery premises, such as fires or floods. Ofsted's broad criteria for reporting can mean nursery workers "err on the side of caution", the Early Years Alliance says. This means investigations often find no safeguarding breach has, in fact, occurred - it adds. But a childcare expert says the rise in the number of reports highlights a "dire situation". "Standards [of care] are so low that the government surely has an obligation to improve them," says Helen Penn, professor of early childhood from the University of East London. Parents often rely on Ofsted's inspections and subsequent ratings to help them choose the best childcare setting. Full inspections usually happen every six years, but the regulator can inspect more often if a nursery is graded as inadequate or requiring improvement - or if concerns are raised. Schools rated good or outstanding are usually inspected every four years - and more frequently if graded lower. More than 1,500 nursery inspections had been brought forward after receiving reports of serious childcare incidents - Ofsted told us. But a former Ofsted inspector told us the regulator is not conducting enough inspections to identify poor practice and protect children. The ex-inspector, who did not want to be named, says inspections are a "tick box exercise" which are "very easy to manipulate". "As long as they can say: 'We've asked all these questions, what more can we do?' But you do that once every so many years - how is that safeguarding the children?" she says. The BBC has spoken to more than 20 former and current nursery workers, all from different premises across England, who said they had witnessed poor care. Many said frequent short-staffing was a factor in children being put at risk - and that Ofsted inspectors were not always able to spot this. Until 2015, inspectors would arrive at nurseries unannounced - but only a third of inspections are now carried out this way. Most nurseries are informed the day before. The notice period is used by some nurseries to deliberately mislead inspectors, some nursery workers told us. Managers ask friends or family to attend, they say, to make a nursery appear fully staffed. One former worker said 15 babies had been left sleeping in a room with only a baby monitor and no staff members to look after them. But when Ofsted announced an inspection, managers called in staff from other locations. The ex-Ofsted inspector says she witnessed workers man-handling children during inspections. "If you can do that in front of someone, what are you planning on doing if nobody is watching?" she adds. Misleading inspections is an "appalling practice", says Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's Head of Early Years and Social Care - adding that inspectors have to rely on the "integrity of providers". The parents of a baby who was killed at a now-closed nursery in Greater Manchester have told the BBC they want more frequent Ofsted inspections in nurseries - and for inspectors to check CCTV, which is not current practice. In an exclusive interview, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan say life without their daughter Genevieve is "unbearable". The nine-month-old died from asphyxiation at Tiny Toes nursery in Stockport, when she was tightly swaddled, strapped to a beanbag, and left unattended by nursery worker Kate Roughley for 90 minutes. The child was seen struggling and coughing on CCTV footage, but Roughley did not check on her properly until she was "unresponsive and blue", the worker's trial heard. Roughley received a 14-year prison sentence for manslaughter in May last year. "When I sent her to nursery, I never in a million years thought that anything like this would happen," says Genevieve's mother Katie. "I couldn't understand how a baby of this age could go to sleep for a nap in the afternoon and then not wake up. "I completely lost who I was, that night in hospital, holding her." As police reviewed nursery CCTV as part of their investigation, it revealed a second staff member had also been causing harm to children. Rebecca Gregory was jailed for three years last September after being convicted of the wilful neglect and ill-treatment of children, including threatening and pushing babies younger than one. Ofsted says it cannot mandate CCTV use in nurseries. There is no government guidance on checking footage during inspections and it does not have the resources to do this, it adds. The former owners of Tiny Toes in Stockport say they cannot comment because of an ongoing investigation by Stockport Council. Local authorities are responsible for investigating any safeguarding concerns at nurseries. In light of our findings from Ofsted about a broad range of incidents, we asked councils across England about the specific number of times harm had been caused to children by nursery workers. Seventy-two out of more than 150 councils responded to Freedom of Information requests with figures indicating there had been 5,795 reports or allegations of children being harmed by nursery workers, over a five-year period between 2019 and 2024. There were like-for-like figures from 36 councils for both that period and the five years up to 2015, when Ofsted stopped routine no-notice inspections. Reports of harm to young children almost tripled over that time - from 1,303 between 2010-15, to 3,342 between 2019-24. These figures may include cases where the incident was either accidental or unproven. Standards of care are low and if something does not change there will be "more accidents, more harm to babies, more unhappy parents and children," says early childhood professor Helen Penn. Ofsted says it is giving "conspicuous care and monitoring" to reports of harm to children. More frequent inspections may be a solution, says Ofsted's Yvette Stanley, but she says the regulator does not currently have the resources available to do this. "We think we do enough no-notice inspections to reassure ourselves in the cases where the data is worrying," she adds. The Department for Education (DfE) has said it will introduce stronger safeguarding measures in early years settings in September, including "enhanced recruitment practices" intended to prevent unsuitable people from working with children. A spokesperson said the department will "continue to closely monitor whether any further changes to safeguarding requirements are needed in early years to keep children as safe as possible".
