Early Years News Roundup | Babyzone To Champion the Royal Foundation’s Early Childhood Animations

Spotlight 🌟

Babyzone to Champion the Royal Foundation’s Early Childhood Animations 

At Babyzone, we know that small, everyday moments between a child and their caregiver can shape a lifetime. That’s why we’re proud to be among the very first organisations to adopt the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s beautifully crafted Explainer Series.

These animations, paired with expert science briefings and practitioner guidance, will be woven into the heart of our work – inspiring, training and empowering the people who matter most in a child’s early world: parents, caregivers, and the early years workforce.

How We Will Use the Animations

1. Embedding in Staff and Volunteer Training

We will include the animations in our induction programme for new starters, building foundational knowledge on how adult–child interactions shape social and emotional development. We will also use them in ongoing professional development, reflective practice sessions and appraisals – helping our team continually revisit and deepen their understanding.

2. Supporting Session Leaders

Our Babyzone class leaders – from Baby Sensory to Peep facilitators – will use the animations to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in informal conversations with families. They will have the option to share the films during sessions, making complex science both visual and relatable.

3. Engaging Families

We will share the animations through:

• WhatsApp communities and newsletters, with short summaries to spark interest.

• Posters in our Babyzone spaces linking directly to the full set online.

• In-room use during Peep sessions, using the films to prompt rich group discussions about parenting and early interactions.

4. Inspiring the Wider Sector

We will showcase the animations in our social media campaigns, especially during national moments celebrating the early years. By modelling their use, we will encourage other organisations to adopt these resources, amplifying the Royal Foundation’s vision across the sector.

Looking Ahead

By integrating the Explainer Series into everything from volunteer training to public engagement, we will help shift understanding, strengthen professional practice, and spark conversations that last well beyond a play session. Together with the Royal Foundation, we will work to give every child the best possible start in life.

Behind the Headlines 📰

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.

A New Learning Journey for Early Years Policy Listening Learning and Leading Together

A new learning programme places lived experience, peer learning, and adaptive leadership at the centre of Early Years policy development, addressing system constraints and limited diversity in decision-making. By combining practical tools with reflective opportunities, it enables policymakers to create policies that are more responsive and inclusive for children and families.

In Case You Missed It - £500m Better Futures Fund to Support up to 200k Vulnerable Children

The £500m Better Futures Fund aims to support up to 200,000 vulnerable children by improving educational outcomes and reducing crime. Spearheaded by the Chancellor, the fund unites government, charities, and investors to ensure at-risk youth receive needed resources, promoting inclusive growth. Future announcements will provide more details.

Research & Insights 🔬

Brain Wiring in Early Childhood Provides Clues for Identifying Future ADHD Risk

Researchers at Simon Fraser University found that the organisation of brain networks in early childhood plays a crucial role in developing attention skills, with well-structured ‘roads’ (brain connections) linked to better focus and task management. Early identification through MRI and computational models could enable timely interventions for children at risk of ADHD, potentially enhancing outcomes particularly in underserved communities. The research signals a promising step toward personalised support strategies in child brain health.

MSU Study Finds Print Beats Digital For Preschoolers Learning To Read

A Michigan State University study of over 1,000 preschoolers showed that direct print-focused activities—like writing letters and spotting words—lead to stronger early reading skills than digital or analogue literacy games, particularly benefiting children with and without speech or language impairments. Shared book reading positively influenced only typically developing children, while reliance on games correlated with lower reading scores across all groups. Parents should prioritise intentional, hands-on print practices for effective early literacy development.

Investigating Neural Correlates Of Attention And Executive Function In Early Childhood

Early increases in frontal theta brain activity during cognitively demanding and socially engaging tasks at 9 months predict stronger executive function skills at age five. This finding underscores the value of targeted neural measures and task design for identifying children’s potential cognitive trajectories. Early intervention can advance lifelong development.

Global Perspectives 🌎

California Expands Transitional Kindergarten to Children Aged Four and Above

California will offer free transitional kindergarten to all children turning 4 by September 1, beginning in 2025-26, with the programme bridging the gap between preschool and kindergarten through age-appropriate academic and social-emotional education. Class sizes are capped to ensure individual attention, and additional support is provided as needed. This accessible initiative is relevant for families seeking robust early childhood schooling, especially those balancing childcare and seeking developmental advantages for their children.

Chinas Baby Bonus Stimulates Growth Of A Thriving Child-Care Economy

China’s annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan ($500) per child under three marks a decisive policy shift to address population decline, fostering a burgeoning child-care economy. Providers of early education and maternal health are positioned to benefit directly, particularly as local governments supplement these payments. This initiative offers immediate opportunities for market expansion and enhanced support for child development.