Year: 2026

There is still time to book your place on a provider network meeting near you! This is your space to network, collaborate and influence – while also receiving key updates from the Early Years and Childcare Service.

Early years and childcare practitioners (including wraparound childcare providers) can use the Devon Education Services Shop to book onto short courses and eLearning. Find out how you can sign up for a Shop account and search for training.

Safer Sleep Week 2026 will run from 9 – 15 March. This is our national awareness campaign targeting anyone looking after a young baby. We raise awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring.

Connection is the foundation for everything in the early years — learning, wellbeing, behaviour, communication and belonging. This year’s conference explores how we build and sustain meaningful connection across all the places it happens: in the adult–child relationship, through peer play, in partnership with families, and in the everyday routines and experiences that shape children’s sense of safety and identity.

We are collecting orders for BookTrust Pre-schooler packs for those children in targeted settings in Exeter and East Devon, so please look out for the email in the next week.

Ofsted have confirmed their position regarding banned dog breeds in domestic childcare settings. They do not believe that banned breeds are compatible with childcare.

View the latest jobs in early years and childcare.

It’s Funding Friday and this week we have information from Devon Libraries and Free Kellogg’s Breakfast at Morrisons during school holidays.

We are pleased to advise that our proposed funding rates that we shared with you in January have been approved. The full increase received from the Department for Education is being passed on to providers in the hourly funding rate for all providers in Devon.

The Early Years Funding Team will be running sessions on how to complete your spring amendment tasks. Dates: 20 March and 25 March.