https://www.theguardian.com/education/earlyyearseducation Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 14:42:17 GMT 2026-06-13T14:42:17Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/11/children-hit-by-parents-more-likely-to-bully-others-research-finds <p>The UCL study also found physically punished children were more likely to struggle in school</p><p>Children smacked by their parents struggle to get good exam results and are more likely to bully others, causing a negative impact on society, according to new research calling for smacking to be banned.</p><p>The study by University College London (UCL) found that children in England who were physically punished at the ages of three, five and seven were significantly less likely to pass GCSE exams compared with other children, even after factors such as family background were taken into account.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/11/children-hit-by-parents-more-likely-to-bully-others-research-finds">Continue reading...</a> Education Children's rights UCL (University College London) Corporal punishment GCSEs Exams Early years education Department for Education Pupil behaviour Children UK news Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:06 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jun/11/children-hit-by-parents-more-likely-to-bully-others-research-finds Photograph: Jack Sullivan/Alamy Photograph: Jack Sullivan/Alamy Photograph: Jack Sullivan/Alamy Richard Adams Education editor 2026-06-11T04:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/25/britain-children-billions-families-childcare-nurseries <p>We are spending billions to help families with childcare, but I fear profiteers are denying them the full benefit. I’ll put a stop to that</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/may/24/bridget-phillipson-orders-review-hidden-childcare-charges">Bridget Phillipson orders review of hidden childcare charges hitting parents</a></p></li></ul><p>Britain is facing a family crisis that politicians do not talk about nearly enough. Birthrates are now the lowest since records began. More and more young people are delaying having children – or deciding they simply cannot afford to have a family at all. When you look at the cost of raising children today, it is easy to see why.</p><p>Families are feeling the pinch. Many now spend more than <a href="https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/CPAG-Cost-of-a-Child-2025.pdf">£250,000 raising a child to the age of 18</a>. For many parents, the pressure starts long before school, with childcare costs that have risen far faster than wages for years.</p><p>Bridget Phillipson is secretary of state for education, women and equalities</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/25/britain-children-billions-families-childcare-nurseries">Continue reading...</a> Early years education Childcare Children Money Society Parents and parenting Welfare Family Politics Competition and Markets Authority UK news Bridget Phillipson Mon, 25 May 2026 11:07:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/25/britain-children-billions-families-childcare-nurseries Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Bridget Phillipson 2026-05-25T11:07:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/25/massive-child-abuse-scandal-in-france-as-school-staff-investigated-for-violence-and-sexual-assault <p>Paris police looking into more than 100 allegations of mistreatment by ‘monitors’ after parents’ groups said they had fought for years to be taken seriously</p><p>France is facing a child abuse scandal as ‘monitors’ at dozens of state nursery and primary schools are investigated for violence, sexual assault and rape.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/paris">Paris</a> police are examining more than 100 allegations of mistreatment, physical violence and rape of children as young as three by school monitors during lunch breaks, nap times and after-school activities, prosecutors have confirmed.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/25/massive-child-abuse-scandal-in-france-as-school-staff-investigated-for-violence-and-sexual-assault">Continue reading...</a> France Early years education Children Child protection Children's rights Schools Education Society Europe Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/25/massive-child-abuse-scandal-in-france-as-school-staff-investigated-for-violence-and-sexual-assault Photograph: Amaury Cornu/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Amaury Cornu/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Amaury Cornu/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images Angelique Chrisafis in Paris 2026-05-25T05:00:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/apr/09/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates <p>Prime minister has been in talks with Saudi crown prince and UAE president today </p><p>In interviews this morning <strong>Yvette Cooper</strong>, the foreign secretary, declined to confirm <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/starmer-under-fire-russian-warship-36987391">reports</a> that a Russian warship has been escorting two sanctioned Russian ships through the English channel.</p><p>Sanctioned Russian ships carry oil being sold to fund the war in Ukraine, and the UK government recently announced that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/25/uk-armed-forces-authorised-to-board-russia-tankers-shadow-fleet">the armed forces have been authorised to board these ships in British waters to stop them</a>.</p><p>What I can tell you is that we have given permission now for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet. Operational decisions then have to be taken in the right way by the military.</p><p>There are indications of the way in which not just the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but also the way in which we are seeing increased Russian threats, not just to the UK, but across Europe as well.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/apr/09/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a> Politics Keir Starmer Labour Green party Zack Polanski US-Israel war on Iran Yvette Cooper Immigration and asylum UK news Iran United Arab Emirates Strait of Hormuz Israel Lebanon John Healey Royal Navy Russia Defence policy Plaid Cymru Wales Welsh politics Local elections 2026 Housing Childcare Early years education Devolution Institute for Fiscal Studies May 2026 elections Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:49:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/apr/09/iran-yvette-cooper-starmer-gulf-green-polanski-elections-housing-latest-news-updates Photograph: Omar Al Askar/UAE Presidential Court/Reuters Photograph: Omar Al Askar/UAE Presidential Court/Reuters Photograph: Omar Al Askar/UAE Presidential Court/Reuters Andrew Sparrow 2026-04-09T16:49:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/apr/03/olive-howes-obituary <p>My mother, Olive Howes, who has died aged 98, was a pioneer practitioner of early years education. After training as an infant teacher in the late 1940s, she combined motherhood with work, unusual in the 50s. She set up a private nursery school in a friend’s front room near our home in Romiley, Stockport, teaching with my infant brother on her hip.</p><p>She was passionate about the impact of nursery education on the life chances of children – she reiterated frequently that the best and most skilled teachers should be working with the youngest pupils.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/apr/03/olive-howes-obituary">Continue reading...</a> Early years education Teaching Education Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:07:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/apr/03/olive-howes-obituary Photograph: none Photograph: none Photograph: none Shelagh Hubbard 2026-04-03T12:07:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/02/screen-time-guidance-does-not-go-far-enough <p>Readers respond to new government advice to limit screen time to under an hour for under-fives, and restrict it to ‘slow-paced’ media content</p><p>While I fully support the government’s guidance to parents of under-fives to keep screen time to under an hour a day (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/26/under-fives-should-have-at-most-hour-a-day-of-screen-time-under-new-uk-advice">Keep under-fives’ screen time to no more than an hour a day, UK advice says, 27 March</a>), this does not go far enough. Children do not only experience screens at home; they also encounter them in early childhood settings and schools.</p><p>Contrary to the advice given in the new guidance for parents, the government requires all children to complete a screen-based test within their first six weeks at primary school. The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/reception-baseline">Reception Baseline Assessment</a> takes up 20 minutes of their daily screen time. Teachers are not able to interact with the child while doing the test as they must follow a script. This contradicts the advice for parents, which suggests that the best form of screen use involves adults interacting with their children while using screens.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/02/screen-time-guidance-does-not-go-far-enough">Continue reading...</a> Children Technology Health Society Tablet computers Computing Digital media Media UK news Children's TV Early years education Parents and parenting Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:54:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/02/screen-time-guidance-does-not-go-far-enough Photograph: Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images Photograph: Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images Photograph: Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images Guardian Staff 2026-04-02T15:54:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/29/childminders-are-a-vital-yet-overlooked-part-of-early-years-care <p>Talk of disadvantaged children being left behind so often leaves out the workforce most likely to reach them, says <strong>Brett</strong> <strong>Wigdortz</strong></p><p>Polly Toynbee is right that England’s childcare system is falling short on its social purpose (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/20/early-years-care-free-for-all-labour-fight">It’s always been a fight to get children the early years care they deserve. It’s time to fight again, 20 March</a>). But the irony is that talk of disadvantaged children being left behind often leaves out the workforce most likely to reach them: childminders. When we frame nurseries as the default in childcare provision (as Toynbee does, with not a single nod to childminders) we put low-income families even further on the back foot.</p><p>As she notes, private equity-backed nursery chains prefer wealthier areas – they’re not itching to set up shop in deprived ones. But&nbsp;childminders can open their doors on any street and represent communities across the country. As&nbsp;they work from home and have lower overheads, they can be an oasis of affordability in deprived areas. And unlike nurseries’ more rigid hours, childminders offer flexible, wraparound care better suited to parents who work shifts. Without a plan to rebuild this vital workforce (which has lost <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-providers-and-inspections-as-at-31-march-2025/main-findings-childcare-providers-and-inspections-as-at-31-march-2025#:~:text=March%202024%2C%20to-,25%2C300%20childminders,-.%20The%20percentage%20decline">75,000 providers</a> since <a href="https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/4652/1/RR300.pdf">the 1990s</a>), children who need early years care the most will struggle to access it, no matter what funding changes are made.<br><strong>Brett</strong> <strong>Wigdortz</strong><br><em>CEO, Tiney</em><em>; founder, Teach First;</em> <em>spokesperson, Childminding2030 campaign</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/29/childminders-are-a-vital-yet-overlooked-part-of-early-years-care">Continue reading...</a> Childcare Early years education Children Parents and parenting Education Family Society Tax and spending Labour Money Politics UK news Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:06:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/29/childminders-are-a-vital-yet-overlooked-part-of-early-years-care Photograph: FatCamera/Getty Images Photograph: FatCamera/Getty Images Photograph: FatCamera/Getty Images Guardian Staff 2026-03-29T16:06:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/mar/23/keir-starmer-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-shabana-mahood-john-healey-labour-conservatives-kemi-badenoch-cobra-uk-politics-latest-updates-news <p>PM tells MPs ‘a lot of what is said or done is undoubtedly said or done to put pressure on me’</p><p><strong>Matthew Pennycook</strong>, the housing minister, was speaking for the government on the morning news programmes earlier. Speaking to LBC, he confirmed that the government wanted the Competition and Markets Authority to deal with any potention profiteering by oil companies. Pennycook said prices were “prices are soaring in places” and “we’re seeing a huge differentiation in prices across the country, which is why the CMA have put fuel retailers on notice”.</p><p><strong>Donald Trump</strong> has said he has instructed the defence department to postpone all airstrikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, <strong>Yohannes Lowe</strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/23/middle-east-crisis-live-iea-chief-says-iran-war-energy-crunch-worse-than-1970s-oil-crises-and-ukraine-war-combined?page=with%3Ablock-69c11f3c8f081668c1c41c77#block-69c11f3c8f081668c1c41c77"> reports</a>. This is subject to the “success” of ongoing “meetings and discussions”, <strong>Trump</strong> said in <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116278159912794855">a Truth Social post</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/mar/23/keir-starmer-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-shabana-mahood-john-healey-labour-conservatives-kemi-badenoch-cobra-uk-politics-latest-updates-news">Continue reading...</a> Politics UK news Keir Starmer US-Israel war on Iran Foreign policy Iran Donald Trump World news Antisemitism Wes Streeting Energy bills UK cost of living crisis Defence policy Cyprus Robert Buckland Kemi Badenoch Conservatives Early years education Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:56:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/mar/23/keir-starmer-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-shabana-mahood-john-healey-labour-conservatives-kemi-badenoch-cobra-uk-politics-latest-updates-news Photograph: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Photograph: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Photograph: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Andrew Sparrow 2026-03-23T17:56:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/18/playing-with-dolls-can-help-children-develop-imagination-and-social-skills-uk-study <p>Psychologists at Cardiff University and King’s College London compared children given dolls with those given video games</p><p>Playing along with dolls can help boys and girls develop more sophisticated imaginations and better social skills, compared with children who play on electronic devices, according to research.</p><p>Psychologists at Cardiff University and King’s College London found that children given dolls gained a richer appreciation of other people’s beliefs and feelings, in contrast to those given a tablet loaded with video games.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/18/playing-with-dolls-can-help-children-develop-imagination-and-social-skills-uk-study">Continue reading...</a> Children Toys Early years education Cardiff University Education UK news Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:05:07 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/18/playing-with-dolls-can-help-children-develop-imagination-and-social-skills-uk-study Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian Richard Adams Education editor 2026-03-18T19:05:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/16/paedophile-jailed-abuse-five-children-bristol-nursery-nathan-bennett <p>Judge describes Nathan Bennett as ‘incorrigible and dangerous’ over string of offences including rape</p><p>A “dangerous paedophile” who sexually abused five children in his care at a nursery in Bristol has been jailed for 24 years.</p><p>Judge Hart described Nathan Bennett as “evil” and said that he had thought seriously about imposing a life sentence because it was difficult to assess whether he would ever not be a risk to children.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/16/paedophile-jailed-abuse-five-children-bristol-nursery-nathan-bennett">Continue reading...</a> Crime Children Early years education Bristol UK news Child protection Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:22:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/16/paedophile-jailed-abuse-five-children-bristol-nursery-nathan-bennett Photograph: Avon and Somerset Police/PA Photograph: Avon and Somerset Police/PA Photograph: Avon and Somerset Police/PA Steven Morris 2026-03-16T13:22:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/13/ai-toys-young-children-tigher-regulations-reseachers <p>University of Cambridge study finds AI-powered toys can misread emotions and respond inappropriately to children</p><p>It was all going well. Charlotte, five, was chatting with an AI soft toy called Gabbo at a London play centre about her family, her drawing of a heart to represent them and what makes her happy. She even offered a couple of kisses to the £80 toy with a face like a computer screen.</p><p>It was when she declared: “Gabbo, I love you”, that the fluent conversation came to an abrupt halt.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/13/ai-toys-young-children-tigher-regulations-reseachers">Continue reading...</a> AI (artificial intelligence) Toys Children Technology Life and style University of Cambridge Early years education Education Society Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:35:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/13/ai-toys-young-children-tigher-regulations-reseachers Photograph: University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education. Photograph: University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education. Photograph: University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education. Robert Booth UK technology editor 2026-03-13T07:35:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/12/children-vocabulary-shrinking-reading-loses-screen-time-susie-dent <p>Exclusive: Countdown lexicographer urges families to read, talk and play word games to help language development</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/feb/12/susie-dent-tips-tricks-child-vocabulary">Susie Dent’s tips and tricks to add muscle to a child’s vocabulary</a></p></li></ul><p>Children’s vocabulary is shrinking as reading loses out to screen time, according to the lexicographer Susie Dent, who is urging families to read, talk and play word games to boost language development.</p><p>The Countdown star’s warning comes as the government prepares to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/11/excessive-screen-time-limits-vocabulary-of-toddlers-experts-warn">issue its first advice to parents</a> on how to manage screen use in under-fives, amid concerns that excessive screen time is damaging children’s language development.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/12/children-vocabulary-shrinking-reading-loses-screen-time-susie-dent">Continue reading...</a> Children Literacy Early years education Language Society Education UK news Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:46:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/12/children-vocabulary-shrinking-reading-loses-screen-time-susie-dent Photograph: David Levenson/Getty Images Photograph: David Levenson/Getty Images Photograph: David Levenson/Getty Images Sally Weale Education correspondent 2026-02-12T11:46:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/26/children-need-to-get-their-hands-on-a-project-not-a-screen <p><strong>Georgi Kamov</strong> and <strong>Lisa Harms</strong> respond to an article about how screen time affects children and share their experiences in Bulgaria and the US</p><p>Emine Saner’s article on screen time and toddlers identifies a key symptom, but doesn’t pay enough attention to the deeper diagnosis (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/22/how-screen-time-affects-toddlers-were-losing-a-big-part-of-being-human">How screen time affects toddlers: ‘We’re losing a big part of being human’, 22 January</a>). The problem isn’t simply that children are watching screens. It’s that they’re not creating anything meaningful.</p><p>For 11 years, <a href="https://bg.rpplane.com/designchampions">Red&nbsp;Paper Plane</a> has worked with more than 30,000 children in Bulgaria using a project-based learning programme we call Design Champions. As part of it, five- to 10-year-old children don’t consume content –&nbsp;they become park designers, car&nbsp;engineers and city architects. They work on “missions” lasting weeks, solving real problems with&nbsp;real materials.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/26/children-need-to-get-their-hands-on-a-project-not-a-screen">Continue reading...</a> Children Parents and parenting Technology Social media Social media ban Early years education Primary schools Education Digital media Social media bans Schools Society Family UK news Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:01:32 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/26/children-need-to-get-their-hands-on-a-project-not-a-screen Photograph: Jurgita Vaicikeviciene/Alamy Photograph: Jurgita Vaicikeviciene/Alamy Photograph: Jurgita Vaicikeviciene/Alamy Guardian Staff 2026-01-26T17:01:32Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/22/the-guardian-view-on-toddlers-and-screens-more-reasons-to-be-fearful-of-big-tech <p>Growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on the youngest children must be addressed</p><p>The first UK government guidance on young children’s use of tablets, smartphones and other screens, expected in April, cannot come soon enough. The laissez-faire approach to the boom in social media, handheld devices and other digital technology was arguably nowhere less suitable than when such machines were placed in front of babies. The Department for Education’s ongoing <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/695fc42241ddb40d13f76527/COT2020s_-_home_learning_environment_and_screen_time_at_age_2_-_research_brief.pdf">Children of the 2020s study</a> has found that 98% of two-year-olds watch screens on a typical day for more than two hours. Those who spent the most time had smaller vocabularies, and were twice as likely as other children to show signs of emotional and behavioural difficulties.</p><p>Correlation must not be mistaken for causation. This is still a relatively new area of research, and much remains uncertain. But the findings of a recent survey by the charity Kindred Squared, combined with observations by teachers, are highly concerning. Answers from 1,000 primary-school staff revealed that 37% of four-year-olds arrived <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/jan/22/children-england-start-school-without-being-toilet-trained-teachers">without basic life skills</a> such as dressing and eating in 2025 – up from 33% two years earlier.</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/22/the-guardian-view-on-toddlers-and-screens-more-reasons-to-be-fearful-of-big-tech">Continue reading...</a> Children Early years education Primary schools Technology Social media Education Society Teaching Parents and parenting Family Department for Education Schools Life and style Grok AI X Kemi Badenoch Conservatives Labour Australia news Social media ban Social media ban AI (artificial intelligence) Ofcom Politics UK news Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:44:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/22/the-guardian-view-on-toddlers-and-screens-more-reasons-to-be-fearful-of-big-tech Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Editorial 2026-01-22T18:44:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/22/how-screen-time-affects-toddlers-were-losing-a-big-part-of-being-human <p>In the UK, 98% of two-year-olds watch screens on a typical day, on average for more than two hours – and almost 40% of three- to five-year-olds use social media. Could this lead to alarming outcomes?</p><p>At Stoke primary school in Coventry, there are many four-year-olds among those starting in reception class who can’t sit still, hold a pencil or speak more than a four-word sentence. Lucy Fox, the assistant headteacher and head of foundations, is in no doubt what is causing this: their early exposure to screens, and a lot of it. When the children experiment with materials and creativity, and make things in the classroom, she says, “We notice a lot of children will cut pieces of cardboard out and make a mobile phone or tablet, or an Xbox controller. That’s what they know.”</p><p>At another school in Hampshire, a longtime reception teacher says in the last few years she has noticed children getting frustrated if activities aren’t instant and seamless – something she thinks comes from playing games on a phone or tablet. There is a lack of creativity and problem-solving skills, noticeable when the children are playing with Lego or doing jigsaw puzzles and turning the pieces to fit. “I find their hand-eye coordination isn’t very good, and they find puzzles difficult. Doing a puzzle on an iPad, you just need to hold and move it on the screen. They get really frustrated and I feel like there are certain connections the brain is not making any more.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/22/how-screen-time-affects-toddlers-were-losing-a-big-part-of-being-human">Continue reading...</a> Children Social media Social media ban Technology Early years education Education Primary schools Society UK news Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/22/how-screen-time-affects-toddlers-were-losing-a-big-part-of-being-human Composite: Guardian Design Composite: Guardian Design Composite: Guardian Design Emine Saner 2026-01-22T10:00:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/11/excessive-screen-time-limits-vocabulary-of-toddlers-experts-warn <p>Children aged two with highest screen use can say significantly fewer words, UK government research finds</p><p>Excessive screen time could damage toddlers’ ability to speak, the UK government has warned as it prepares to issue advice to parents for the first time on how to manage screen use in under-fives.</p><p>Research has found that children aged two with the highest screen use – about five hours a day – could say significantly fewer words than those with screen use of about 44 minutes a day.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/11/excessive-screen-time-limits-vocabulary-of-toddlers-experts-warn">Continue reading...</a> Children Early years education Education Bridget Phillipson Society UK news Technology Politics Sun, 11 Jan 2026 12:54:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/11/excessive-screen-time-limits-vocabulary-of-toddlers-experts-warn Photograph: Peter Cade/Getty Images Photograph: Peter Cade/Getty Images Photograph: Peter Cade/Getty Images Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent 2026-01-11T12:54:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/11/abuse-nursery-child-safety-vincent-chan <p>No parent should worry about their child’s safety while they work. But a crisis in our early-years sector is shielding predators such as Vincent Chan</p><p>I remember those initial heart-wrenching days and weeks leaving my daughter, aged nine months, at the nursery. She was distraught as I left, and I – like so many parents – headed off to work feeling guilty for leaving her, wondering if I was doing the right thing. Every parent does the research and nursery visits, reads the Ofsted reports and assumes that the staff in their chosen nursery will have the necessary qualifications and training to take care of their child. Obviously, there will be hiccups along the way, but never in your wildest nightmares do you think your child might be physically – or worse still, sexually – abused.</p><p>Yet the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/03/paedophile-vincent-chan-admits-sexually-assaulting-toddlers-at-london-nursery">harrowing case of Vincent Chan</a>, a former nursery worker in Camden, north London, who pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault and 17 counts of taking or making indecent photos of children, hit the headlines last week, leaving parents with young children across the country feeling physically sick and asking the question: How did this happen? Tragically, this is not an isolated case.</p><p>Munira Wilson is Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/11/abuse-nursery-child-safety-vincent-chan">Continue reading...</a> Early years education Child protection Crime Society UK news Children Education Thu, 11 Dec 2025 07:00:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/11/abuse-nursery-child-safety-vincent-chan Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Munira Wilson 2025-12-11T07:00:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/nov/03/its-time-to-get-serious-about-childrens-play <p>Not enough time in primary schools is devoted to learning through play, writes <strong>Dr Helena Bunn</strong>. We should take a lesson from countries where formal education begins much later, thinks <strong>Michael Pyke</strong></p><p>It is vital to a child’s early development that they are given ample time to experiment, be creative and learn through play in a purposeful way, rather than being confined to their desks (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/29/school-play-learning-england-children">Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks? I want a school that understands play is learning, 29 October</a>).</p><p>Time allocated for non-traditional learning such as outdoor learning in the school day has been eroded in recent years, while research shows that only one in three primary school pupils in the UK meet the in-school target of half an hour of physical activity every day. This is despite evidence which shows that pupils learn best through&nbsp;supported play experiences and outdoor exploration.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/nov/03/its-time-to-get-serious-about-childrens-play">Continue reading...</a> Education Primary schools Schools Early years education Children Society Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:39:20 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/nov/03/its-time-to-get-serious-about-childrens-play Photograph: Stuart Boulton/Alamy Photograph: Stuart Boulton/Alamy Photograph: Stuart Boulton/Alamy Guardian Staff 2025-11-03T17:39:20Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/29/school-play-learning-england-children <p>In England, young children go from glitter clay and building dens to classrooms a Victorian would recognise – and that system is failing many of them </p><p>“Childhood doesn’t end the day you turn five,” Ruth Lue-Quee said to me on the phone as she shepherded her son to the playground this half term. “Playing is what children are born to do. It’s innate in them. It is how they learn.” The former deputy headteacher’s <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/729440">petition to make play-based pedagogy</a> a core part of the key stage 1 (KS1) national curriculum in England has garnered almost the required 100,000 signatures for debate in parliament.</p><p>Observe any nursery or reception class and you’ll see what she means: kids roaming freely, modelling wet clay encrusted in glitter, playing pretend kitchen, banging on drums in the music cupboard. They’re interacting in an organic, self-guided way, moving around, using their imagination and following their own initiative. This is how the vast majority of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/earlyyearseducation">early years</a> pupils spend their time learning. Yet the moment a child finishes reception and begins year one, the English education system essentially dictates that playtime is over.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/29/school-play-learning-england-children">Continue reading...</a> Early years education Education policy Special educational needs Schools Children Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:00:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/29/school-play-learning-england-children Photograph: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Photograph: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Photograph: Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett 2025-10-29T08:00:37Z https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/29/soil-sandpit-children-dirty-biodiversity-finnish-nurseries-research-microbes-bacteria-aoe <p>In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing</p><p>Read more: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/31/nature-extinction-crisis-mirrored-in-our-bodies-huge-health-implications-aoe">The nature extinction crisis is mirrored by one in our own bodies. Both have huge implications for health</a></p><p>Aurora Nikula, 5, is having a normal day at her nursery. She is making a cake out of sand and mud, adding in make-believe carrots, potatoes and meat. “It’s overcooked,” she says as she splashes water in, then adds another dollop of sand. “More sugar, it tastes better,” she says. A handful of mud goes in, and the dish evolves into a chocolate cake.</p><p>Aki Sinkkonen, a principal scientist with the Natural Resources Institute Finland, is watching. He’s also very interested in Aurora’s cake, but for different reasons. “Perfect,” he says, admiring the way she is mixing soil, sand and leaves and then putting it on her face. “She’s really getting her hands in it.”</p><p>Aki Sinkkonen (left) and Marja Roslund from the Natural Resources Institute Finland in the Humpula garden</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/29/soil-sandpit-children-dirty-biodiversity-finnish-nurseries-research-microbes-bacteria-aoe">Continue reading...</a> Early years education Children Allergies Rewilding Health Society Finland Europe Education Environment World news Biodiversity Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:00:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/29/soil-sandpit-children-dirty-biodiversity-finnish-nurseries-research-microbes-bacteria-aoe Photograph: Liisa Takala/The Guardian Photograph: Liisa Takala/The Guardian Photograph: Liisa Takala/The Guardian Phoebe Weston. Photographs by Liisa Takala 2025-10-29T05:00:34Z