Early Years

Wednesday

15th Jul 2026

Early years language focus can boost progress by two months
NFER research finds all pupils benefit from language teaching in the early years – and it could have a real impact on their later education
Early years reading focus can have a real impact

Tuesday

14th Jul 2026

How the GLD target could hide a growing early years divide
The early years disadvantage gap is at its widest since 2014, research shows, raising questions about whose progress getting 75 per cent of children to a good level of development will rely on
early years disadvantage gap

Monday

29th Jun 2026

Rooted in wonder: the joy of outdoor learning
An international early years educator reflects on why time outside – and revisiting the same ground – can invoke wonder, awe and appreciation for nature in pupils
Squirrel on a tree

Thursday

25th Jun 2026

3 critical shifts for SEND reform success in EYFS
Structural reform to the SEND system will only make early years provision more inclusive if the plans are backed up by these key changes in practice, writes Julian Grenier
Young child playing with colourful toy bricks

Thursday

18th Jun 2026

DfE proposes early years training shake-up
Government is consulting on two options for redesigning early years training so it leads to Qualified Teacher Status
An early years teacher reading to young children

Tuesday

9th Jun 2026

Nearly three-quarters of nursery schools to cut costs amid pressures
Many maintained nursery schools are struggling to stay afloat, research shows – at a time when the government is talking up early years’ role in getting children school-ready
Stay afloat

Monday

18th May 2026

The 6 essentials of primary transition planning
The government has suggested that young children’s transition to school must start on Primary Offer Day, but what does this look like in practice? Molly Devlin sets out her trust’s approach
Bird flying from nest

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'