Early Years News Roundup | Babyzone Blackburn Is Officially Open!

Spotlight 🌟

Celebrating the official launch of Babyzone Blackburn! 🎉

On Wednesday 11th June, we gathered at Blackburn Youth Zone to celebrate the opening of Babyzone Blackburn – a space that has already been welcoming families each week. Over 200 parents, toddlers, and babies joined us alongside representatives from more than 30 partner organisations. Families explored our evidence-based classes and premier soft play areas, connected over barista coffee and cake, and signed up for partner services – including infant feeding support, mental health and wellbeing advice, sling-wearing demonstrations, kinship care guidance, and on-the-spot referrals for family support.

This is more than just a play space. Babyzone is a partnership-powered, community-driven hub offering free weekly sessions that bring together health, wellbeing, and parenting support – all under one roof. Sessions run every Wednesday during term time, from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.

We were honoured to be joined by Mayor Jacqueline Slater and Mayoress Lilian Salton, who cut the ribbon and spoke about the power of collaboration and community care. We were also pleased to welcome Councillors Phil Riley and Julie Gunn, whose presence reflected the council’s strong support for Babyzone’s vision.

A huge thank you to all the incredible partners who helped bring Babyzone Blackburn to life, including Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Public Health BwD, Kids Matter, Children’s Storehouse, Lancashire Mind, Kinship, West Pennine Slings, Youth Action, Dads Matters, Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service and Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

We are proud to be part of a growing movement ensuring every family gets the best possible start.

The first years last forever.

Behind the Headlines 📰

4,000 School-Based Nursery Places to Launch Across 200 Locations in September

From September, the UK government will roll out around 4,000 new early years places across 200 school-based nurseries, supported by nearly £370 million in funding. Positioned as a key step toward expanding access and delivering on the promise of funded childcare, the move reflects growing recognition of the importance of early education in school-readiness and long-term attainment. However, sector leaders have voiced concern that this investment risks overlooking the private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) providers who currently deliver the majority of early years provision.

By focusing predominantly on school settings, the government may unintentionally limit the flexibility and wraparound care that working families rely on — particularly in rural or underserved areas where PVI settings are often the only local option. For early years professionals, the announcement underscores the need for a truly mixed economy approach to childcare — one that values all provider types, ensures sustainable funding across the board, and reflects the diverse needs of children and families.

Childcare Delays Highlight Concerns on EHCP Assessment Timelines for Young Children

The Department for Education's data reveals a significant rise in the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with an alarming delay in assessments, which underscores the need for timely intervention to address SEND issues in early childhood settings. With substantial increases in mediation and tribunal cases, there's a pressing need for a strategic response to the growing demand and the long waiting periods for families, which could impede children's crucial developmental stages. Addressing these delays and ensuring early interventions could greatly enhance life outcomes for children with additional needs.

Research & Insights 🔬

Harvard Study Finds Brain Differences Linked to Early Reading Challenges in Toddlers

New research from Harvard reveals that early signs of reading difficulties can be detected as early as 18 months, based on identifiable patterns in brain development. The findings highlight that phonological processing — the foundational skill for reading — begins far earlier than previously assumed, reinforcing the case for intervention long before school age. This analysis adds weight to the argument that high-quality, language-rich environments in the first two years of life are not just beneficial, but essential for long-term literacy.

Yet the future of this landmark longitudinal study is under threat, with funding cuts putting its continuation at risk. If halted, we risk losing vital insights that could shape how early years settings identify and support at-risk children — potentially delaying support until it’s too late. The message is clear: investing in early brain development research isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategic priority for improving national literacy outcomes.

Optimising Digital Book-Sharing for Young Children Through Playtime with Books

Playtime with Books is a digital programme supporting parents of children aged 10–24 months to build confidence in book-sharing and boost early language development. Through online sessions and personalised feedback, it helps embed positive reading habits during a critical stage of brain development. While technical challenges have limited some users’ access, early outcomes are encouraging. Future improvements will focus on making the programme more accessible and engaging for diverse families.

Global Perspectives 🌎

Aboriginal Education Strategy Fueling Success for South Australian Children

The Aboriginal Education Strategy in South Australia has increased preschool attendance and educational outcomes for Aboriginal children, underscoring the state's commitment to early childhood development. Key achievements include a 10% increase in Aboriginal students completing the South Australian Certificate of Education and significant language growth among Anangu students. This strategy is instrumental in fostering strong partnerships with Aboriginal communities, enhancing language learning, and creating educational pathways.