Month: October 2025

Welcome to our third update on the redesign of Devon’s Education and Learning Services, with a spotlight on Early Years and Childcare. We’re committed to keeping you informed and supported every step of the way.

Ilfracombe Town Council, in partnership with Devon County Council, is inviting expressions of interest from established early years and childcare providers to operate from the Lantern Nursery site. This is a unique chance to expand high-quality provision in an area with growing demand for places for children aged 0–4.

Join us for fully funded training in partnership with Devon County Council, Plymouth and Torbay. The sessions will be interactive and informative enabling you to implement changes to support your growth and development. Recruitment and retention session running on 14 October at 10am, and Financial sustainability session running on 6 October 7pm – 8.30pm. Book now!

The workshop we will explore The Explainer Series — a set of free, engaging resources to help deepen understanding of early relationships and support parent-infant wellbeing. Book your place on this free workshop running on 19th November in Exeter (1pm – 3.15pm).

Online monthly sessions around communicating with babies and toddlers will be taking place on a Thursday evening at 6pm– 7pm, hosted by Alice Thornton, a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist.

The Education Endowment Foundation is inviting early years settings to take part in a short survey about their experiences of the Early Years Pupil Premium. Please submit responses by 24 October.

Since September 2025, early years providers have been required to have regard to the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance. If your setting has chosen to implement a policy on food brought in from home, the DfE wants to hear your questions and early concerns about how implementing the policy is working in practice. Please submit questions by 13 October.

The Smallest Things premature baby charity have launched their Prem Aware Award scheme and teamed up with the University of Leicester and PRISM study team to incorporate free online training.

The recent cyber-attack on a UK nursery has highlighted just how vulnerable all organisations can be and how important it is to have that ‘it could happen here’ mindset when it comes to cyber security. Read more for useful tips and guidance.

View the latest jobs in early years and childcare.