Early Years News Roundup | 20 February 2025

Plus, a sensory gym in Bedford Stuyvesant is shaking up early childhood learning

Author

Sophie Bruxner-Randall
February 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Welcome to The Early Years News Roundup, brought to you by Babyzone, an essential newsletter for everyone working in early years. Each week, we deliver the latest news from around the world because we believe in the power of shared learning and collaboration.

Spotlight 🌟

The UK's pressing oral health crisis unveils a critical opportunity for transformational intervention, particularly in regions such as Manchester where a disquieting 60% of children are prone to tooth decay. This is emblematic of a broader national challenge, with over a quarter of five-year-olds across the UK suffering from enamel or tooth decay. Notably, the situation is more dire in economically deprived areas, where children are nearly three times as likely to experience decay.

Investments in early childhood development are paramount to effect sustainable change, underscoring a profound community-wide impact through improved oral health initiatives. Government proposals for early intervention programmes and increased urgent dental appointments are compelling steps towards closing this gap. By actively investing in such initiatives, stakeholders can expect not only to enhance individual well-being but also to boost nationwide health resilience. Ensuring equitable access to NHS dental services and prioritising regions in distress are crucial strategies for fostering long-term societal growth and well-being through early intervention.

Babyzone’s Take 💡

At Babyzone, we’re committed to tackling the UK’s child dental health crisis through direct community engagement. Our team works with oral health professionals to provide families with practical education on proper brushing techniques, the risks of prolonged dummy and bottle use, and overcoming barriers like limited dental access. By partnering with local authorities, we’re ensuring that preventative care reaches those who need it most—particularly in economically disadvantaged areas where children are disproportionately affected. Early intervention at the community level is key to reducing tooth decay rates and improving long-term health outcomes for all children.

Global Perspectives 🌎

The Early Childhood Ireland Barometer 2025 reveals a seismic shift in public attitudes towards Early Years education, equating it with primary and secondary schooling and underscoring significant investment potential. With 76% of the public advocating for universal access to high-quality Early Years and School Age Care, the findings reflect not just a commitment to child development but present a ripe opportunity for transformative investment. The robust public support for free education and enhanced financial backing for parents signals a fertile ground for investments aimed at unlocking children's developmental potential and delivering ample societal returns.

The barometer also accentuates the urgent need for strategic investments in workforce parity, highlighting that resolving recruitment and retention challenges through equitable pay could bolster the quality of education on offer. Reports from European bodies reiterate the urgency of addressing decades of underinvestment in this sector. This confluence of public support and international insights presents a compelling case for dedicated investments to foster transformative change. The long-term benefits, both in educational outcomes and societal advancement, are profound, setting the stage for impactful investment that promises long-term growth and sustainability in Early Years education.

The Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center has launched an innovative sensory gym to transform early education, particularly benefiting children with developmental challenges. This pioneering endeavour exemplifies the centre's commitment to groundbreaking growth, enhancing young learners' skills in an evolving educational landscape, paving the way for sustained societal benefits and opportunities.

Tasmania’s Early Learning for Three-Year-Olds initiative is launching in Bruny Island, East Devonport, and Fingal, bridging critical educational access gaps in underserved areas. This targeted investment ensures early childhood development is prioritised where it’s needed most, fostering long-term social and educational benefits.

This initiative underscores the impact of strategic early education programs in shaping school readiness, lifelong learning outcomes, and community resilience. By expanding access to quality early education, Tasmania is laying a sustainable foundation for future growth and equity in early childhood development.

California's early care and education funding reflects a complex journey of rebuilding post-recession and seizing far-reaching potential during COVID-19. The infusion of temporary federal aid spotlighted childcare's critical role, revealing investment prospects. Continued financial commitments promise broad-scale benefits, yet significant resources remain essential to achieve equitable, sustainable growth in early childhood programmes.

Community Spotlights 💡

Wiltshire Council is hosting an online event on February 26th, providing families with essential insights into educational support services for children, including OPAL and SEMH resources. This session offers a valuable opportunity for early years educators and parents to explore inclusive strategies for supporting children with diverse learning needs. With registration open until February 25th, attendees can submit questions in advance, ensuring tailored guidance on navigating available support systems.

At Much Wenlock Primary School, educators led by Emma Nicolas are redefining early years learning environments through sustainable, resourceful classroom design. By creatively repurposing second-hand materials, they are proving that thoughtful investments can enhance learning experiences without excessive costs.

This initiative underscores the long-term benefits of sustainability in education, fostering creativity, resourcefulness, and environmental awareness in young learners. As budgets tighten, integrating sustainability into early years settings presents a practical, impactful approach to improving both educational outcomes and environmental responsibility.

Research & Insights 🔬

The significance of developing verbal skills in the early years cannot be overstated, as highlighted by research cited in Julian Grenier's insightful article. The robust findings of the British Cohort Study illustrate that strong verbal skills at age five are linked with not only academic successes, such as improved reading at age ten and higher exam results at age sixteen, but also better health and job prospects in adulthood. Therefore, prioritising language skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is paramount. Shared or interactive reading emerges as an effective strategy, promoting conversation between adults and children centred around books, although implementing this in the classroom can be challenging.

Strategically targeting vocabulary enrichment for children with weaker language skills is crucial. Educators should plan explicit teaching of new words and use these opportunities to deepen understanding through ongoing incidental teaching. While the logistical demands of enhancing verbal skills in early childhood are considerable, the lifelong benefits justify the effort. Emphasising shared reading and engaging children in meaningful dialogue ensures that all students, irrespective of their starting point, have the chance to thrive and develop vital language foundations.

Early Years News Roundup with Babyzone is a Contentive publication in the Social Impact division