Early Years

Thursday

16th Apr 2026

Deprived schools need bigger share of nurseries cash, DfE told
Most of the schools successful in applying for the grant to open new nurseries have fewer FSM pupils than the national average, Tes analysis reveals
School‑based nurseries scheme should be 'better targeted' at deprived areas
Exclusive

Wednesday

15th Apr 2026

What neuroscience tells us about teaching young children
We know that the youngest pupils’ brains work differently to adult brains, and scientific research has now uncovered some of the secrets to keeping early years children engaged in their learning, argues neuroscientist Sam Wass
Brain montage

Friday

27th Mar 2026

Ofsted to inspect early years providers more often
Early education minister’s letter to chief inspector outlines new requirements for Ofsted, including the need to inspect every four years
Early years providers

Tuesday

24th Mar 2026

The benefits of ‘loose parts’ play in the early years
Undirected play with small materials can support a wide range of learning outcomes, but practitioners need time and support to use the approach well, writes Lucy Fox
EYFS loose parts

Friday

20th Mar 2026

Why early years settings need to reduce noise and ‘visual clutter’
Pre-school children’s brains are less able to filter out visual and auditory distractions – but their settings are among the noisiest and busiest, says early years expert
Why early years settings need to address noise and visual 'clutter'

Monday

16th Mar 2026

How schools can show parents the value of play
Some parents query why their child is still playing rather than engaging with formal teaching. Paul Ramchandani explains how EYFS professionals can help change their view
Paul Ramchandani on his bike

Thursday

5th Mar 2026

How to get early years specialist provision right
Hackney’s first early years additional resource provision opened in September. Its headteacher tells Tes how the specialist setting and curriculum are supporting some of the youngest children with complex needs
Child with puzzle

Friday

20th Feb 2026

Why we need workforce reform in the early years
The needs of children starting school now are different than they were a few decades ago. So it’s time for us to make staffing changes, too, suggests Julian Grenier
Young boy tying shoe laces

Wednesday

11th Feb 2026

Ofsted: We ‘could do more’ on early years safeguarding
MPs question senior Ofsted official on whether the safeguarding system in the early years is fit for purpose
Small child in a bubble

Friday

6th Feb 2026

School-readiness focus for new Best Start in Life ‘champion’
The DfE’s appointment of Sue Robb comes amid concerns that too many children are arriving in Reception lacking basic skills
Sue Robb

Wednesday

28th Jan 2026

Why SEND reform depends on the early years
Because the EYFS shapes children’s first learning experiences, it is where the SEND crisis begins – so it needs to be a key focus in fixing the problem, writes Julian Grenier, who offers three ways to improve practice
Child's footprints in sand

Thursday

22nd Jan 2026

Reception staff spend over an hour a day on toilet assistance
The first term of Reception is often ‘written off’ because of the need to give basic life skills to children who are not school-ready, staff warn
Children washing their hands