Early Years News Roundup | 🧠 Babyzone’s Take on Early Years Gaps — and How to Close Them

Spotlight 🌟

Lessons from the Institute for Fiscal Studies: Why Early Years Matter

Babyzone have just shared key takeaways from the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ insightful discussion on early childhood development. The evidence is powerful: the first five years set the stage for everything.

In the UK, one in three children start school already behind, and those early gaps can last a lifetime. Closing them means recognising that early years is about more than childcare: parents need accessible spaces and resources to support their children’s growth and wellbeing.

The discussion highlighted vital lessons:

• Invest early: from pregnancy onwards, strong support builds healthier starts.

• Family hubs can transform support: if properly resourced.

• Quality depends on the workforce: well-trained, fairly paid practitioners make all the difference.

• Social and emotional skills are key: as important as literacy and numeracy.

• Every child counts: children with special educational needs need tailored support from the start.

• Quality over quantity: more hours alone will not change outcomes.

• Early years is everyone’s business: shaped by health, housing, education and poverty.

At Babyzone, we see this first-hand: children leave our spaces more confident, curious and ready for school, while parents feel supported and connected. A stronger society begins with stronger starts.

Listen to the full podcast discussion here: Institute for Fiscal Studies Podcast on Early Childhood Development

Behind the Headlines 📰

How DCSs Should Respond to the Best Start in Life Strategy

The Best Start in Life strategy sets a target for 75% of five-year-olds in England to achieve a good level of development by 2028, up from 67.7%. Directors of children's services are crucial in driving accessible, affordable, and high-quality early years provision, requiring coordinated, ambitious leadership. This is directly relevant for those managing early childhood services, as success depends on immediate, collaborative action at all levels.

In Case You Missed It - A New Start for Level 2 Early Years Apprenticeships Launches August 2025

From August 2025, the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship features a revised standard aligned with sector needs, increased funding (£5,000), and removal of the mandated qualification, granting providers greater flexibility. Assessment now emphasises practical observation and professional discussion, ensuring apprentices are workplace-ready. This refocuses early years training on relevance, accessibility, and workforce quality.

Research & Insights 🔬

A Reconceptualised Framework for Understanding Human Microbiome Transmission in Early Life

Researchers propose a new “4 W” framework—what, where, who, and when—to replace the imprecise terms “vertical” and “horizontal” in describing early-life human microbiome transmission. This approach enables more accurate study design, critical for understanding how early microbial exposures influence child health and disease prevention.

Global Perspectives 🌎

Building Preschoolers' STEM Skills Through Play, Puzzles, Blocks, and Spatial Language

FIU research shows that preschoolers, as young as three, efficiently use adult-like spatial reasoning strategies when engaging with puzzles and blocks, predicting later STEM success. Early exposure to spatial play and spatial language significantly enhances these abilities. Parents and educators can foster STEM readiness through active, spatially-rich interactions at home and in classrooms.

UNICEF And UK Launch Growing Up Green Early Childhood Centre In Mongolia

UNICEF and the British Embassy are launching Mongolia’s first climate-smart Early Childhood Development Centre, retrofitting a public building in Orkhon to eliminate coal use and serve 500 children with education, health, and nutrition. The project pilots renewable energy integration in community infrastructure, supporting Mongolia’s climate goals. Scheduled from August 2025 to March 2026, it aims for nationwide impact.

Early Education Experts Criticise New Trump Rule as Mistimed and Potentially Harmful

A new Trump administration rule will deny federal loans to early childhood education programmes with graduates earning less than local high school leavers, threatening access to degrees for aspiring educators. This risks deepening staff shortages and harming child development outcomes. Policy clarity and robust support for these professions are urgently needed.