Early Years Alliance

*IMPORTANT UPDATE* In light of serious concerns over the misuse of X's AI tool Grok, and wider concerns over the ongoing rise in unmoderated hateful rhetoric, the Early Years Alliance will no longer be posting on X. You can read our full statement here: eyalliance.org.uk/why-the-allian…

Members and supporters can still follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/EYAlliance) or LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/early-…), or visit our website at eyalliance.org.uk.

*IMPORTANT UPDATE* In light of serious concerns over the misuse of X's AI tool Grok, and wider concerns over the ongoing rise in unmoderated hateful rhetoric, the Early Years Alliance will no longer be posting on X. You can read our full statement here: eyalliance.org.uk/why-the-allian…

Commenting, Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, broadly welcomed plans to develop but called for any such support on this topic to "sit within a much wider framework of guidance for families and educators on digital literacy and online safety."

The Department for Education has announced plans to publish new expert-led guidance for parents and carers on screen use for under-fives. The announcement follows new research which shows that screen use is near-universal among young children. #msdynmkt_trackingcontext=00875120-77a9-4d87-af7a-082e04970000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">theguardian.com/society/2026/j…

And don't forget, if you're an Alliance member, you can get up to 20% off your first year with Famly, 10% off the second year and 5% off the third year. Find out more: bit.ly/EYAFamly

Are your invoices compliant with new early years guidance? In a recent blog, leading nursery management software Famly explain how their updated invoicing templates can help you feel confident that you are adhering to these new rules: bit.ly/4swNFow

*New blog* To support you to meet new requirements on ensuring food provided from home is healthy and balanced, we have put together some helpful guidance on creating healthy packed lunches for you to share with parents and carers at your setting. familycorner.co.uk/creating-healt…

The Alliance offices will be closed for the winter break from 5pm on Tuesday 23 December and will re-open on Friday 2 January 2026. Please note that this will include our membership and insurance department. Wishing you all a restful break! More info: eyalliance.org.uk/festiveclosure…

The Education Committee has expanded its ongoing early years inquiry to examine how safeguarding can be strengthened in nurseries, for childminders and other early years settings. Read more on our website: bit.ly/4ajQT8h

Not an Alliance member? If you're interested in Alliance membership but would like to find out a bit more, you can find out more on our website (eyalliance.org.uk/become-a-membe…) or fill out our 10-second form (bit.ly/membershipquer…) and we'll get in touch

Resources include: ❄️ Our infection prevention and control mini-guide ❄️ Our printable flu vaccine reminder posters for families ❄️ Our 'Young children and winter ailments: stay home or carry on as normal' guide You can access your free pack here: tinyurl.com/EYAwinterpack2…

As experts warn of the severe potential impact of flu this winter, a reminder to Alliance members that you can access our FREE winter resource pack in the 'membership and insurance' section of EYA Central bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@educationgovuk - an average two-year-old funding rate of £8.90 from 1 April 2026. View all individual council two-year-old rates here: bit.ly/4s2ZXow - an under-twos funding rate of £12.04 from 1 April 2026. View all individual council under-twos rates here: bit.ly/4pHsU7Q

@educationgovuk has confirmed that local authorities in England will receive: - an average three- and four-year-old funding rate of £6.42 from 1 April 2026. You can view all individual council three- and four-year-old rates here: bit.ly/4oTL2Kk 2/3

The government has today confirmed the local authority funding rates for 2026/27 (frontline provider rates will be confirmed by individual local authorities by 28 February 2026). Read more: bit.ly/4aiLezd 1/3

Get FREE funding as parents do their Christmas shopping. This month they could win you a £100+ donation each day up to 21st Dec too. Join @easyuk today easyfundraising.org.uk/early-years-al…

All Best Start Family Hubs will be expected to have a SEND professional and services to support speech and language development, the government has confirmed today. eyalliance.org.uk/news-events/ne…

If you need guidance on how to support families in your setting, our new toolkit is available to help you navigate this difficult situation: bit.ly/3MloSD7 Member price: £58.30, non-member price: £106 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (3/3)

Recognising the signs of domestic abuse and knowing how to respond safely and appropriately can make a life-changing difference. The Alliance's new toolkit - Safe spaces - has been created to help early years educators recognise these signs. (2/3)

Sadly, around 1 in 5 children in the UK experience domestic abuse. According to @safelives_, by the time children start school, at least one child in every class may have been living with abuse since birth. (1/3)