Early years sector faces a quarter of a billion funding cut in spring term
The early years and childcare sector in England is set to lose around a quarter of a billion pounds over the spring term due to the withdrawal of vital government funding, new analysis has found. Read More
Concerns over workforce safety as new survey reveals high staff Covid rates in early years settings
A joint survey by Ceeda and the Early Years Alliance reveals high positive rates in early years staff despite low prevalence of virus in young children. Read More
Occupancy continues its slow incline
Occupancy tips 62% in nurseries and 42% in childminding provision in the week commencing 14 September. Read More
Wide variance in autumn term occupancy
Average occupancy rises to 59% in nurseries and 43% in childminder provision in week commencing 7 September. Read More
Sluggish start to autumn term
In the week commencing 31 August nursery occupancy averaged just 49% falling to 36% in childminder provision Read More
No quick bounce back in the autumn term
Nurseries and pre-schools anticipate average occupancy below 60% at the start of the autumn term. Read More
Summer nursery occupancy peaks at just 48%
One week from the end of summer term nursery occupancy tips 48%. Read More
Occupancy up by 4 percentage points in nurseries and pre-schools
PVI nursery and pre-school occupancy increases by 4 percentage points since 22 June. Read More
Occupancy creeps to 41% in nurseries and pre-schools
PVI nursery and pre-school occupancy averages 41% and childminding provision averages 35%. Read More
Childcare providers battle low occupancy and funding deficit
Childcare providers are facing significant losses as low occupancy and funding shortfalls hit sustainability. Read More
Early years in lockdown 18 May to 22 May
Almost two-fifths of nurseries and pre-schools and 53% of childminders open week commencing 18 May Read More
Early years in lockdown 11 May to 15 May
37% of day nurseries and 52% of childminders are open for vulnerable children and children of key workers Read More
Early years in lockdown 4 May to 8 May
37% of day nurseries and 51% of childminders are open for vulnerable children and children of key workers Read More
Early years in lockdown - 27 April to 1 May
Latest findings from Ceeda's Covid-19 Data Portal indicate 37% of day nurseries and pre-schools and 52% of childminders are open for vulnerable children and children of key workers. Read More
Early years in lockdown - 20 to 24 April
The first numbers are in from the Covid-19 data portal, showing the vital role settings are delivering for families. Read More
Ceeda launches new tracker to measure real-time impact of coronavirus on the early years sector
COVID-19 Data Portal to measure impact in a minute Read More
Staff shortages are fuelling workplace stress and lengthening waiting lists
Persistent recruitment and retention challenges are leading to increased workplace stress and longer waiting lists. Read More
The big divide on ‘free’ entitlements
Funded or free? Research into views on a sustainable approach to early education places finds 46% support a mix of subsidised AND free places. Read More
What will a Conservative victory mean for the early years sector?
The early years sector faces an £824 million deficit in 2020/21 as the Conservatives sweep back into power Read More
Counting the cost of election manifestos
Forecast funding deficits range from £824 million to £80 million when manifestos are costed in detail. Read More
Join The Big Early Years Debate 23 January
Join us on 23rd January in central London, or via a live webstream, as childcare providers up and down the country share views on policy direction and how to tackle the funding crisis. Read More
Time for a sector-led manifesto for early years?
The About Early Years annual report is out! Your A to Z of trends and challenges in the sector, it paints a troubling picture for disadvantaged communities. Read More
Sector comes together to tackle recruitment challenges
The sector is coming together to tackle recruitment challenges, with a wide-ranging research project looking at awareness and perceptions of early education and childcare across the generations. Building on discussions at a recent workforce round-table hosted by Ceeda, the ‘What is EY?’ project will deliver much needed insight into how the sector is perceived today, and how best to communicate the rewards and benefits it offers in the future. Read More
Could your pic win £100 of early years resources?
A picture is worth a thousand words. Enter Ceeda’s photography competition and win £100 of resources for your setting Read More
Rising salaries are pushing settings into the red
The average sector wage to sales ratio in spring 2019 was high at 70.1% Read More
Sector salaries rise but remain behind the competition
Nursery manager pay has risen by 4% since April 2018 and practitioners have seen an average rise of 3% Read More
Join us at the Nursery World Inspection Conference 9th July
Join us at the Nursery World Inspection Conference 9th July Read More
Over 1,700 settings leave Ofsted EYR
In the 3 months to 31 March 2019 1,203 childminders and 536 nurseries and pre-schools left the Ofsted Early Years Register. Read More
Early years sector faces £662 million funding deficit in 2019/2020
Under increasing pressure, over one in ten nurseries and pre-schools fear closure. Read More
Sector leaders come together to consider workforce challenges
Read the highlights from our workforce roundtable Read More
Two fifths of providers receive less funding than in 2013/2014
More than two in every five (44%) nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England are receiving less funding, in real-terms, than they were five years ago. Read More
Childcare providers face £616.5 million funding gap in 2018
Nurseries and pre-schools face a funding shortfall of over half a billion this year, finds the latest research from Ceeda. Read More
The first term of 30-hours - all the need-to-know figures
The sector has capacity for 332,400 30-hour places but just 46% are completely free Read More
Sector health check from the About Early Years research programme
The first wave of the new sector research programme 'About early Years' finds major recruitment difficulties, a decline in workforce qualification levels and average occupancy levels of 69%. Read More
Staffing shortage threatens delivery of flagship 30-hour childcare offer
Childcare settings in England are struggling to recruit the staff they need to deliver 30 hours free childcare Read More
Seeing the road ahead
Ceeda launches ground-breaking About Early Years sector research programme. Read More
Government underestimates eligibility for 30 hour offer
Up to 500,000 children could be eligible for 30 hours free childcare in 2017/18 Read More
Staff to minimum ratios and save 15% on costs says DfE
Concerns remain about funding levels in early years and the impact that new rates may have on the quality of care. Read More
Increase staffing flexibility to reduce costs says DfE
DfE points to greater staffing efficiency as a means to reduce costs Read More
Why do parents choose your nursery?
Ceeda research reveals that location is the most common driver of decisions on nursery choice. Read More
The questions behind the numbers
National hourly funding rates of £4.88 for 3 to 4 year olds (including Early Years Pupil Premium) and £5.39 for two year olds were announced in the Government’s Autumn Spending Review. Are these rates enough and what lies beneath the numbers? Read More
Autumn Spending Review
Whilst welcome, announced increases in funding rates will not plug funding gaps Read More
Counting the Cost of a National Living Wage
How will the introduction of a National Living Wage impact on the cost of delivering funded places? Ceeda looks to the future with this forecast of delivery costs. Read More
Learning from leavers feedback
Latest results from the Ceeda national leaver survey flag the importance of staff retention. Read the key findings published in Teach Nursery. Read More
Ceeda parent surveys show parent partnerships are strong
Effective communication is at the heart of strong parent partnerships, hear how technology can play a helping hand. Read More
On the move
Moving rooms can be unsettling for children and parents alike. Hear about parent's experiences reported in the Ceeda room mover survey. Read More
Motivating and rewarding your team in a challenging funding environment
How can you motivate and reward your team in a challenging funding environment? Hear the headlines from Ceeda's early years workforce survey and tips from LEYF's Neil King on how to motivate your team. Read More
Counting the cost
A major national study into the cost of delivering funded childcare places in private voluntary and independent (PVI) childcare settings. Read More
Are you getting things off to a good start?
Are you getting things off to a good start for families? The Ceeda settling in survey tracks parents experience in those critical early weeks and months. Read More
Ceeda Benchmark is Gold Dust
Managing Director at Bertram Nurseries Group shares his experience of using parent feedback to enhance quality and parent partnerships. Read More
