The Department for Education has updated its guidance on early years continuing professional development and support. The 22 October 2026 update adds information about Stronger Practice Hubs and online training for early years learning leads, safeguarding training, and early years stronger practice advisers. The page sets out the support and training DfE funds for early years educators and leaders, with the aim of building a more expert and connected workforce that shares evidence-based good practice.
Why it matters: Use it as a checklist of DfE-funded training and support before you pay for CPD, including safeguarding training and help from your local Stronger Practice Hub.
GOV.UK summary: Information for the early years sector on continuing professional development and sources of support and guidance.
Ofsted has restructured its GOV.UK page for childminders who are registered, or applying to register, with Ofsted. On 22 October 2026 it added three new pages: 'Your childcare business: legal structure', 'Registration fees for childminders, nannies and other childcare providers' and 'The early years and childcare registers'. New registration policy pages for childminders were added too. The collection brings together Ofsted's guidance, forms and policies for registering as a childminder.
Why it matters: If you're becoming a childminder or changing how your business is set up, check fees, legal structure and which register applies to you here. Childminders with an agency should contact their agency instead.
GOV.UK summary: Find guidance, forms and policies for registering with Ofsted as a childminder.
Source: Ofsted, 22 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence.
GOV.UK has published letters between the Competition and Markets Authority and government ministers about early years childcare. The CMA's Chief Executive has written to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, responding to the Education Secretary's request that the CMA consider reviewing how the provision of early years childcare is working. The CMA's reply was added to the page on 1 July 2026, after the first correspondence was published in May 2026.
Why it matters: This follows the government's concerns about hidden childcare charges. Read the letters in full to see exactly what the CMA said in response.
GOV.UK summary: Letters between the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and minsters in UK government.
The government has announced £4,500 bonuses to attract and keep qualified nursery teachers in some of England's most deprived communities. The first wave launched on 11 June 2026 in 10 areas, including Sandwell, Middlesbrough and Rochdale, with expansion to 30 communities planned later in the year. Areas were chosen on deprivation, teacher shortages and school readiness. The announcement also includes new partnership grants for nurseries, childminders and schools to work together, 18 new Stronger Practice Hubs (36 in total) and a consultation on the status and recognition of early years teachers.
Why it matters: If you're in one of the named areas, the bonus could help you recruit or keep a graduate teacher. Elsewhere, the partnership grants and Stronger Practice Hubs may be a source of support and training.
GOV.UK summary: New push to get qualified nursery teachers into England's most deprived communities so nurseries can offer more childcare places, helping families save money.
The Education Secretary has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asking it to examine the childcare market, including hidden charges linked to funded hours. The government says some parents report being asked for upfront deposits, compulsory add-ons or extra paid hours to secure a funded place. It has also asked the CMA to look at the role of private equity and other ownership models in the market. Alongside this, a free cost of living tool for parents has launched, including a trial map of local childcare starting in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.
Why it matters: Deposits, compulsory add-ons and extra hours are the practices the government has highlighted, so check how yours are set out and explained to parents.
GOV.UK summary: Education Secretary writes to the CMA to examine the childcare market and launches a free tool helping families find childcare and budget for costs.
From April 2026, Ofsted is moving to a 4-year inspection window for providers on the Early Years Register, replacing the previous 6-year window. Every provider will be inspected at least once by March 2030 and then again within each 4-year period, and inspectors can still visit more often if they have concerns. Newly registered providers will usually have their first inspection within 18 months of registering, rather than 30 months. Providers already inspected under the old arrangements will move to the new window gradually before 2030.
Why it matters: Your next inspection may come sooner than you planned for, so keep records, policies and staff training inspection-ready all year. New settings should expect a first visit within about 18 months.
GOV.UK summary: Ofsted will begin inspecting early education and childcare providers more frequently from April 2026, in line with the DfE's Best Start in Life strategy.
Source: Ofsted, 27 March 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence.
A further 331 schools have successfully applied for a share of £45 million to build or expand nurseries on their sites, creating over 6,000 more childcare places on top of up to 6,000 from the first phase. From May 2026 the programme moves to a locally led model, with councils invited to propose plans for new places in communities with the greatest need. Best Start Family Hubs will also be able to host school-based nurseries. Ten local areas will get an extra Early Years Pupil Premium boost of £363 per child.
Why it matters: New school-based places may change demand near you, so it's worth knowing what your council is planning for your area.
GOV.UK summary: Over 300 schools to open or expand nurseries, creating thousands of places, targeting areas childcare gaps and helping families £8,000 a year on average.
A new early years teacher degree apprenticeship will let 400 early years staff earn while they learn and qualify to teach in nurseries and early years settings. Backed by a £3.2 million grant to employers, the programme contributes £9,000 per apprentice each year towards training costs. The government will also give employers an additional £8,000 per apprentice to help cover backfill, training and National Insurance costs. The scheme was announced in February 2026, at the close of National Apprenticeship Week.
Why it matters: If someone on your team wants to become a qualified early years teacher, this route could fund their training while they keep working, with extra money towards covering their time away.
GOV.UK summary: A new package of support will help early years settings strengthen their workforce and improve outcomes for children from the very start.
The government announced a £9.5 billion early years investment for 2026 to 2027, over £1 billion more than the previous year. On average, local authorities will receive funding increases of 4.95% for three and four-year-olds, 4.4% for two-year-olds and 4.3% for children aged nine months to two years. Councils will be barred from keeping back more than 3% for central services. The Early Years Pupil Premium rises by 15% to £1.15 per hour in 2026 to 2027, equivalent to up to £655 per eligible child per year.
Why it matters: These are average increases to local authorities, so the rate your setting receives depends on your council. Check your council's 2026 to 2027 rates when planning fees and wages.
GOV.UK summary: Record £9.5 billion early years investment next year to help families access affordable childcare and boost growth by supporting parents back into work
We link to the original announcement for every item. GOV.UK and Ofsted content: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Peekaboo HQ isn't connected to or endorsed by Ofsted or the Department for Education.
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