Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 15/08/23.
News: Grooming cases at record high amid online safety laws delay – BBC News Online
15 August 2023, Shiona McCallum & Zoe Kleinman. Tens of thousands of online grooming crimes have been recorded during the wait for updated online safety laws:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66498601
Article: Quarter of five-year-olds have had tooth decay latest figures reveal – Nursery World
8 August 2023, Joe Lepper. Almost one in four young children have experienced tooth decay by the time they are five, Government figures have revealed amid concerns that children and families are struggling to access NHS dentists:
News: Council-maintained schools in England outperforming academies in Ofsted ratings – Guardian Online
3 August 2023, Mabel Banfield-Nwachi. Research for Local Government Association renews questions over government’s ‘academisation’ policy:
Article: Is the writing on the wall for nursery schools? – Nursery World
1 August 2023, Catherine Gaunt. The uncertain fate of five of Croydon’s settings highlights a national trend that is casting doubt on the future of nursery schools and the provision they offer:
Link: https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/article/long-read-trying-to-hang-on-to-nursery-schools
News: Ofsted to review family hub infant programme – Children & Young People Now
31 July 2023, Emily Harle. Family hub support services for parents with infants under two years old are set to be reviewed by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC):
Link: https://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/article/ofsted-to-review-family-hub-infant-programme
Research briefing: Child food insecurity and Free School Meals – House of Commons Briefing
31 July 2023. This POSTnote summarises child food insecurity and Free School Meal initiatives in England, highlighting relevant research evidence and stakeholder perspectives:
Link: https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0704/
Article: Ofsted and CQC to carry out review into family hubs – BBC News Online
28 July 2023, Catherine Gaunt. Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission are to carry out a joint review of support services for parents from conception to the age of two that are delivered through family hubs:
Link: https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/article/ofsted-and-cqc-to-carry-out-review-into-family-hubs
News: Less food for free school meal kids in summer scheme – BBC News Online
27 July 2023, Elaine Dunkley, Christina McSorley & Callum Thomson. Rising food costs have driven down the value of summer-holiday support for pupils on free school meals:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-66243707
Report: Trends in Children’s Street Play – Play England
July 2023. This report goes some way to identify the impact and changes for children’s lives Play England have seen giving them the basis to look at how to reopen the world and champion free play so that children can flourish and grow into the future:
News: Calling on Government to reinstate the 10-year mental health strategy – McPin Foundation
July 2023. McPin has been involved with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on a Fit and Healthy Childhood’s paper asking the Government to reinstate the cancelled 10-year Mental Health Strategy, including six recommendations for what it should look like. They have added its voice to growing calls for the Government to bring back the Mental Health Strategy, a 10-year plan to address an alarming rise in mental illnesses across the UK: