Learning Exchange Library
Childcare registration wizard Online questionnaire to help you know whether you need to be on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, or on both Registers; or whether you could choose to make an application to register to be on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.
The dollars and cents of investing early: cost benefit analysis in early care and education Nobel Laureate Professor James Heckman, Rob Grunewald (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis) and Arthur Reynolds (University of Minnesota) explore how can the seemingly 'cold and calculating' cost–benefit analysis approach can help policy makers understand the impact of investments in infants and toddlers on children, their families, and society.
Equalities in action This March 2010 Ofsted report identifies how childminders, nurseries, children’s centres, providers of day care, schools and pupil referral units have identified vulnerable children early and what interventions they have made to ensure these children can succeed.
Shout out for a Sure Start Official campaign website for Sure Start awareness, offering various resources as well as messageboards for discussion.
Leadership for Quality in Early Years and Playwork Publication containing case studies, key theories and examples of leadership in an early years setting.
New Sure Start inquiry The Children, Schools and Families Committee will undertake an inquiry into Sure Start Children's Centres, examining whether the Children's Centres model of integrated services for under-5s and their families promotes early childhood development is an effective response to deprivation.
Firm Foundations Campaign website for high quality early learning opportunities for all children.
A transformation in early years training In-depth article about the changing landscape of early years training.
Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP) The programme aims to provide central support to parents, children and childcare providers across all of London's boroughs. The London Development Agency has provided £12m to offer 2,000 parents assistance with childcare fees and parenting support.
Parent Champions toolkit (new), 30 July 2009)
Two new research reports Early Education Pilot for Two Year Old Children Evaluation and Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents 2008 - based on research projects carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), Britain's leading social research institute.
Governance guidance for Sure Start Children’s Centres and extended schools Good governance ensures that Sure Start Children’s Centres and extended services in and around schools meet local needs and contribute to improving outcomes for children, young people and families. This is non-statutory guidance, published in 2007 by the DCSF.
Direct link to information about early years and childcare Find out about Early Years funding reform; Childcare Act 2006; Childcare Implementation Project; Sure Start Children's Centres; information for local authorities about childcare; Family Information Service (FIS)
Childcare: a Q & A Schools ETC magazine laid out some facts and examined the issues in April 2007.
Fathers and early years This section of the Fatherhood Institute website offers information for professionals working within early years services, such as Health Visiting, Sure Starts and Family Centres, on engaging successfully with fathers in those settings.