News
Latest Childminder News and Updates
Here are the latest additions and updates to our Childminder Guides, Childminder Paperwork and other childminder resources. … read more
Safer Sleep - Making Changes
Let's imagine the scenario - you've been a childminder for many years now and you have always put sleeping children outside in prams or buggies. You don't have a lot of inside space, parents are happy with your current arrangements and everyone sleeps well. Children are safe, they have high levels of wellbeing after a good nap and you are able to support other children's care and learning effectively while watching them sleep. … read more
Safer Sleep - Latest News
Find more Safer Sleep Information and Resources in our Safer Sleep area. … read more
Early Years News July 2026
Welcome to July - the start of summer and for many providers the joys of the school holidays. This time of year often marks a change in pace for many early years providers as the days are warmer and longer. … read more
Children's Welfare and Wellbeing - Ofsted Evaluation
The 'Children's welfare and wellbeing' evaluation area in the Ofsted early years inspection toolkit focuses on how effectively a setting promotes children's welfare, care, safety, emotional well-being and healthy development so that children thrive. … read more
Ofsted Early Years Inspection Toolkit Changes from September 2026
Ofsted inspection updates - main points for childminders DfE has published a summary of changes to its inspection toolkit, operating guide and further information document which will take effect from September 2026. … read more
Early Years News June 2026
Welcome to your Childcare.co.uk newsletter for June 2026. … read more
DfE Update: Banned Dog Breeds
A message from the Department for Education In March 2026, Minister Bailey wrote a letter informing early years settings of amendments that the Department intends to make to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory frameworks later this year. The letter mainly focused on safer sleep but also referred to potential changes to ensure that children are suitably protected from banned dog breeds in childcare settings. … read more
Free Creative Steps Magazine Summer 2026 Edition
New Summer 2026 edition out now! Creative Steps is a unique quarterly magazine providing everyone caring for young children up to age 11 with dozens of fun, creative activity ideas, all designed to encourage learning through creative play. … read more
Safer Sleep Outside
When the safer sleep requirements were published by DfE recently, Childcare.co.uk wrote to DfE to ask about exemptions for those providers who have babies and children sleeping outside, safely cocooned in buggies or prams. … read more