Early Years News November 2026

As the mornings turn crisper and we dive headfirst into the busiest stretch of the autumn term, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible resilience our early years community continues to show.

With half-term behind us, November brings a wonderful rhythm back into our settings. It's a brilliant month for leaning into seasonal curiosity - from exploring natural textures outdoors to incorporating cosy, low-level lighting and rich sensory experiences indoors as the days shorten. It is also a peak time for planning ahead, reviewing our winter readiness policies and sharing best practices across the team as we gear up for a busy December.

Let's make this month a collaborative and rewarding one - here are some news updates:

Funding - change to payments

From 1 October 2026, local authorities must offer monthly payments for funded early-years entitlements where a provider requests monthly payment.

A4.10 of the funding statutory guidance for local authorities states, 'From October 2026, the local authority must pay any early years providers who request it, for free entitlements, on a monthly basis. This includes childminders.' This applies to childminders as well as other early-years providers.

If you currently receive your funding termly and would prefer monthly payments, it's worth contacting your local authority to find out how to request the change and what arrangements they have put in place.

Safeguarding - EYFS compliance

Your Safeguarding Policy should now be up to date with changes to the EYFS 2026, revisions to Prevent duty statutory guidance and updates to Information Sharing for Safeguarding statutory guidance. You might also want to check that updated safer sleeping requirements are embedded in staff knowledge with some additional training - read through the changes together, discuss any areas of uncertainty and review Lullaby Trust guidance to make sure everyone is clear about what to do to keep children safe.

We also note that Ofsted inspection reports continue to raise issues about childminder assistant DBS checks and suitability letters which are not in place ready for 1 September, so you should (if relevant) ensure changes to safer recruitment procedures are embedded into practice.

Childcare.co.uk has a model Safeguarding Policy ready for members to download.

DfE – Prevent duty updates

The Prevent duty guidance has been updated twice - once in September 2026 and again in October 2026. Childcare.co.uk has added 2 new guides to the safeguarding page of the website with detailed information about the changes for gold members - they will be useful for your professional development.

DfE and Ofsted - suitability checks

The revised EYFS 2026 included a new requirement for childminders with assistants. From 1 September 2026, childminders cannot have anyone (assistants, co-childminders, volunteers etc) working with them until they receive their DBS check AND Ofsted suitability letter. When the revisions were released in July 2026, Childcare.co.uk immediately contacted Ofsted to ask for a meeting to discuss member questions and concerns. This included finding out whether the new requirement was going to be applied by Ofsted retrospectively or not. Sadly, that answer did not come through until after one of our members was handed a Welfare Requirements Notice (WRN) during her inspection for allowing her assistant to continue working after 1 September - the assistant had a DBS, in-house suitability checks had been covered, there was a written reference in place but the assistant was still waiting for Ofsted to process the suitability letter.

Further member questions were answered recently by Ofsted and Childcare.co.uk has published a blog of the replies on the website. An additional question relating to childcare on domestic premises (CODP) remains outstanding and more detail has been requested for one of the responses and will be added to the blog as soon as Ofsted reply.

Legislation - employment law changes

If you employ a childminding assistant, there are 2 important employment law changes to be aware of this month which you can read more about on the ACAS website:

• Employment Tribunal claims - from 1 October 2026, the time limit for bringing most Employment Tribunal claims increases from 3 months to 6 months. This doesn't mean you need to change anything in your day-to-day practice, but it is an important change to be aware of when dealing with employment matters and you might need to update your staff handbook.
• Sexual harassment - from 30 October 2026, employers will have a new duty to take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment of your employees. If you employ an assistant, October is a good time to review your staff policies and make sure you have appropriate procedures for dealing with inappropriate behaviour, complaints and harassment.

Even if you only employ 1 assistant, you need to ensure your employment documentation and policies reflect your employer responsibilities. You can read more about harassment law changes on the ACAS website.

Inclusion - supporting families of children with SEND

New research from the British Educational Research Association (BERA) highlights the challenges families can face when accessing early childhood education and care for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Parents described navigating complex and fragmented systems as a lonely and uncertain experience, while trusted relationships with early years practitioners provided valuable practical and emotional support. The research calls for more needs-led support, better collaboration between services and stronger workforce capacity to ensure families receive joined-up, inclusive and compassionate support.

Inclusion - free training

Dingley's Promise has launched a new programme of DfE-funded Early Years SEND CPD, available to early years educators across England. The flexible, online training takes a whole-setting approach to inclusion, covering topics including inclusive practice, early identification, curriculum and environments, communication, behaviour as communication and working in partnership with families. With more than 20 hours of learning, practical activities and case studies, the programme aims to build practitioners' confidence and skills in supporting children with SEND and creating settings where every child can belong, participate and thrive.

Practice - childminding babies

The recently published Childminding Babies: Rapid Evidence Review explores what high-quality childcare looks like for babies aged 0-2 years in childminding settings. The research highlights the importance of consistent, responsive relationships, personalised care, flexible routines and strong partnerships with families in supporting babies' development and wellbeing.

Researchers who contributed to the report which was funded by the Nuffield Foundation recognise what childminders already know - that childminding offers a unique environment that should not simply be compared with nursery provision and that quality should be assessed in ways that reflect the individual needs of babies. The report also emphasises the value of ongoing professional development, reflective practice, mentoring and connecting with other childminders to share knowledge and improve practice.

Overall, the report encourages childminders to reflect on the quality of care they provide while recognising the importance of appropriate support and training to help every baby thrive.

Practice - winter readiness

You might find it useful to remind parents, as the colder weather sets in, about public health guidelines for winter bugs - for example, flu, RSV and sickness bugs and review exclusion periods with your staff team and parents, so everyone is clear about your procedures.

The UKHSA exclusion guidance is useful - as well as general exclusion times it also provides guidance on infection control procedures.

Winter checks

You might find it useful to do some setting maintenance checks prior to winter - test your heating system, check outdoor shelter areas are secure, add moisture collectors to buggy and car seat storage areas and ensure winter weather gear like extra layers, waterproof footwear and coats, hats and gloves etc for staff and children are washed, checked for size and where necessary replaced before the colder winter weather.

Childcare.co.uk has a useful Winter wellbeing pack for gold members.

Resilience and emergency planning

The Government's resilience and emergency preparedness advice (via the Gov.uk 'Prepare' campaign) is also advising households to build a basic emergency kit of food and other useful items in case of unexpected disruptions such as severe winter weather or loss of power. You might want to check you have, for example:

• Bottled water and non-perishable food items - don't forget a manual tin opener.
• Extra baby and pet supplies.
• Battery operated or wind-up torch - safer than candles during power cuts.
• Portable power bank to keep your mobile phone charged and functioning in case of emergency alerts and to communicate with family.
• Battery or wind-up radio to receive emergency updates if local networks or internet connections fail.
• Spare batteries for torches and radios.
• First aid kit including waterproof plasters, bandages, antiseptic, a thermometer and any essential personal medications.
• Sanitation items - for example, sanitizer and wet wipes which are useful if water supplies are temporarily disrupted.

Don't forget the revised EYFS

The updated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework came into force on 1 September 2026, so this is now the legislation to use. The changes include strengthened requirements around:

• Safer sleep - new requirements and advisories from Lullaby Trust.
• Safeguarding and allegations of harm - wording strengthened.
• Safer recruitment - wording strengthened.
• Children's screen use - statutory guidance added to the EYFS.
• Food hygiene - Safer food better business link added to the EYFS.
• Banned dog breeds in childcare settings - no longer allowed (this includes Ofsted registered nannies).

If you haven't already done so yet, you might want to take some time this month to check your policies and procedures against the new framework. All the Childcare.co.uk policies are up to date and ready for members to download.

Childcare.co.uk also has a useful summary of the Sept 2026 EYFS changes for you to read.

Ofsted inspections - a reminder

Ofsted's updated early-years inspection guidance and toolkit are now being used for inspections.

The inspection approach continues to focus on the experiences, care, learning and safeguarding of children. For childminders, it's particularly important to remember that references to 'leaders' and 'practitioners' in the inspection guidance apply to childminders and their assistants where relevant.

Now might be a good time to revisit your safeguarding, safer sleep and mealtime arrangements and make sure your practice reflects the current Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements because Ofsted now explicitly require compliance with the EYFS as well as their own inspection expectations.

Ofsted - report a serious childcare incident

Ofsted state that they have updated their report a serious childcare incident form to better reflect changes to the EYFS framework on 1 September 2026. Providers must now inform Ofsted of allegations of harm (rather than serious harm) by anyone living, working or looking after children on the premises.

Reimagining early childhood

A recent TIME100 Talks panel brought together experts from Harvard, UNICEF and Sesame Workshop to explore how we can better support children in a rapidly changing world. The discussion highlighted the lifelong importance of the early years, emphasising the fundamental role of nutrition, play, relationships and love in children's development. Speakers also stressed the need to listen to parents, educators and communities when shaping services and policy, while considering how emerging technologies such as AI can be used thoughtfully without losing sight of children's essential need for human connection.

Ofsted - new blog about fees

Ofsted has published a new blog to remind early years and childcare providers that annual registration fees must be paid to remain registered. Fees are due on the anniversary of registration (or when additional premises are approved), with payment available online, by telephone, BACS or direct debit. Ofsted recommends setting up a direct debit to help avoid missed payments. Providers who do not pay on time will receive reminders, but if an invoice remains unpaid for 30 days after it is due, Ofsted will issue a notice of decision to cancel the registration which means the provider would no longer be able to care for children.

DfE baby sleeping bags safety warning

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a safety alert warning about potentially unsafe baby sleeping bags. Sleeping bags without armholes or those with a hood can pose serious risks of suffocation, overheating and, in the most serious cases, death. Parents, carers and childcare settings are advised to check any baby sleeping bags they use and only buy or use products with armholes and no hood. For further information, please read the full GOV.UK safety alert.

Making tax digital 2nd submission

Some childminders are already within Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax. For those colleagues affected by MTD, the deadline for the second quarterly submission is November 7. This means that if you have to make MTD submissions, you should be ready with your figures from 6 April to 5 October (cumulative) to submit by the deadline. If you have any questions about what or how to sign up or submit, you should take advice from a qualified accountant.

If you're unsure whether MTD applies to you, it's worth checking your position with HMRC or your accountant rather than leaving it until the end of the tax year.

HMRC has shared an update bulletin for childminders which Childcare.co.uk has added to the website.

Cold weather advice

In addition to a general emergency kit, the Gov.uk cold weather guidance suggests keeping a few practical things in mind:

• Home heating - aim to keep rooms you spend the most time in, like the living room or bedroom, heated to at least 18°C. Note the EYFS requirements in relation to temperatures in children's sleeping spaces.
• Car kit - if you have to drive in severe winter conditions, the guidance recommends packing a car boot kit containing warm clothing, blankets, a high-visibility jacket, a shovel and some basic snacks and water in case you get stuck in ice or snow.

Your / staff wellbeing

Think about your wellbeing and staff wellbeing through the winter term - November and December are notoriously busy and high-fatigue months for early years educators. Remember to talk to colleagues for peer support, organise meetings to check-in with any colleagues who are isolated and keep yourself healthy with good food, lots of water through the day, plenty of fresh air and daily exercise etc.

Childcare.co.uk has a useful blog to support you with keeping children safe in winter.

SEND support and funding

There is additional government funding for inclusion in the early-years sector during 2026–27. The Inclusive Early Years Fund is providing £47 million of additional funding to support more inclusive provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities. How this funding is distributed can vary locally, so keep an eye on communications from your local authority and ask what support or funding is available to childminders in your area.

CMA - review of early years education and childcare

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its first update following the launch of its major review of early years education and childcare in England. Evidence gathered from families, providers and sector organisations is highlighting concerns around the availability and affordability of childcare, provider sustainability, staffing pressures and the ability of families to access suitable provision, including for children with additional needs. The CMA is also examining how government funding, regulation and local authority arrangements shape the market. Its thinking is still developing, with emerging findings and potential options for change expected later this year, ahead of a final report in May 2027.

Paperwork - document retention advice from NSPCC

The NSPCC guidance on the retention, storage and disposal of child protection records is an important reminder that safeguarding documentation must be managed carefully, securely and in line with the requirements that apply to our individual settings. As childminders, we must ensure that concerns are recorded accurately, information is stored securely and relevant safeguarding information is shared promptly and securely with the appropriate professionals or a child's new setting when necessary. It is important to recognise that guidance written for schools or other organisations may not apply directly to childminders in the same way - for example, we should not assume that every safeguarding record must be retained for years or indefinitely. Instead, childminders must understand and follow the retention requirements relevant to their provision, alongside current safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection responsibilities. Please read the NSPCC guidance and check any uncertainties with your local safeguarding partnership or relevant regulatory guidance to ensure your own procedures are appropriate and up to date.

First aid - LifeVac update

We often see posts on the group from members about LifeVacs - wondering whether to buy one and others saying they already have one. The suction-based devices are designed to help someone who is choking - not to replace back slaps and abdominal thrusts, but to try and get an unconscious casualty breathing again. They can be difficult to use on your own because it's hard to get the seal right but that doesn't stop childminders wondering if they might be useful.

The Resus Council have recently updated their website, which now states: 'RCUK makes no recommendation for or against the use of suction-based airway clearance devices whilst awaiting the findings of an updated ILCOR systematic review.'

Ofsted - Matrix DBS

The Ofsted Matrix DBS website that all childminders, assistants, family members over the age of 16 years, volunteers in the setting etc have to use has been updated recently to include clearer layout and a more user-friendly interface. The applicant must follow all 4 steps including signing the DBS to the update service for the first year, in case of Ofsted processing delays.

Ofsted - early years registration guidance

Ofsted has recently (22nd October 2026) published updates to the Early Years registration guidance on gov.uk. Guidance has been restructured to make it easier to navigate for applicants and also to help them better understand the registration options available to them.

Key changes include the removal of the gov.uk registration manual which has been replaced by a set of provider specific pages:

• Childminders based at home: Ofsted registration policy
• Childminders based outside of the home: Ofsted registration policy
• Childcare on non-domestic premises: Ofsted registration policy
• Childcare on domestic premises providers: Ofsted registration policy

There is a series of 10 topic based pages and some collection pages for early years, childcare, childminder, nursery, nanny and other registration processes.

Ofsted state that, 'These pages include an overview of each childcare type and details of legal responsibilities, training and qualifications, registration visits, inspection and post-registration. They act as a central point for each applicant type, to ensure everything is located in one place.'

Childcare.co.uk - insurance and more

Childminder insurance is included free with Childcare.co.uk gold membership.

• £10m public liability insurance.
• £100,000 professional indemnity cover.
• £10m employers' liability cover.
• Legal expenses cover including 24 hour legal advice line.
• Loss of revenue cover.
• Suspension cover.
• Access to 1000 legal documents with Business Hub.

DfE - GLD improvements

New DfE data shows a welcome increase in the number of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) by the end of Reception. This means more children are developing the key skills needed to support their learning as they move into Year 1. However, the figures also highlight an ongoing concern, as children from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to fall behind their peers.

What does this mean for early years? These findings highlight the vital role that early years settings play in giving children the best possible start in life. While it is encouraging to see more children reaching a GLD, the continued gap between disadvantaged children and their peers shows that there is still work to be done. For early years practitioners, this reinforces the importance of providing high-quality, inclusive learning experiences, identifying developmental gaps early and offering targeted support where needed. A strong focus on communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and positive relationships with families is essential. By understanding each child's individual needs and removing barriers to learning, early years settings can help close the disadvantage gap and ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive.

CEC - creating the conditions for love to flourish through nature and creativity

The Centre for Early Childhood hosts a letter from the Princess of Wales in which she highlights the importance of love, connection, nature and creativity in supporting children's development and wellbeing. Her message reinforces the vital role that early years experiences play in shaping children's emotional, social and cognitive development.

Spending time outdoors, exploring nature and engaging in creative activities provide valuable opportunities for children to build relationships, develop confidence, express themselves and feel a sense of belonging. For early years practitioners, this is an important reminder that nurturing relationships, meaningful interactions and stimulating environments are at the heart of high-quality early years provision.

By creating spaces where children feel safe, valued and connected, we can support their wellbeing and lay strong foundations for lifelong learning.

DfE - Foundation Years is closing

The DfE has announced that their widely used Foundation Years resource is closing. DfE is gradually moving selected content from the Foundation Years website to the Help for early years providers platform to provide what they aim to be, 'a more streamlined experience for all early years users and professionals'. As part of this transition, DfE announced that the Foundation Years website will close in December 2026.

Monthly group planning for November 2026

This year, Childcare.co.uk monthly group planning is focusing on special days through the month, to build a planning library which can be archived and used in the years ahead.

Always bear in mind that planning should start with the child and what they already know and can do. In most early years settings, a 'book as a hook' is used to spark curiosity and discussions, with lots of open-ended questions to promote critical thinking. Planning can then be delivered at the appropriate age and stage level for the children in the setting at the time.

The themes for November 2026 in the Childcare.co.uk group planning guide cover:

• Underpinning theme - Festivals of light (stars, sun, planets etc).
• Week 1 - Bonfire Night (5th).
• Week 2 - Hibernation | Remembrance Day (11th).
• Week 3 - Road Safety Week (16th).
• Week 4 - Children in Need (20th).

Monthly professional development

Each month, Childcare.co.uk sets Gold members a professional development challenge (CPD) to help improve and strengthen their childcare practice. For December 2026, the CPD opportunity is to consider how to respond if a parent or carer arrives at the setting to collect their child and the provider believes they might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Webinars for November 2026

Childcare.co.uk delivers free weekly webinars for all early years providers. The webinars are then recorded for Childcare.co.uk gold members to watch again at their own convenience.

Webinars planned for November 2026 cover:

• 3rd - Interoception - the internal sense of knowing yourself.
• 10th - Ofsted inspection and context.
• 17th - Storytelling in the early years.
• 24th - Children know, remember and do more.

More information and resources

Childminder Guides

Childminder Paperwork

Childminder Policies

Childminder Organiser

Childminder Diary

Childminder e-books

Childminder Budget Planner

Safeguarding Quick References Cards

COEL Quick Reference Cards

Health & Safety Toolkit

Information Sheets for Parents

Early Years Safety Blog

Activities Ideas & Resources

Childminder Insurance
 

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