News and updates from the Quality, Improvement and Standards Team
In this section, please find links to local and national updates related to early years:
National Year of Reading
The National Year of Reading 2026 | National Literacy Trust is a year-long Department for Education initiative delivered in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust. The Schools and Early Years Settings offer and the Go All In campaign provides a termly cycle of opportunities for professional development and exciting events for children across the year to support with embedding reading for pleasure in core language, practice, and leadership priorities.
Other useful information can be found at:
- Early Years Settings information and resources
- Families (0 to 5) | National Year of Reading 2026 | Go All In
Early Years Foundation Stage
Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance – This guidance is for early years providers in England who are caring for early years children aged 0 to 5 years. It supports providers in meeting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework requirement ‘Where children are provided with meals, snacks and drinks, these must be healthy, balanced and nutritious’. From September 2025, the EYFS statutory framework will include a safeguarding and welfare requirement that asks providers to follow this nutrition guidance unless there is good reason not to.
- giving every child the best start in life outlines how the government will improve child development and ensure that all children have the chance to achieve and thrive. The strategy has online and printable versions available. Additionally, a parent hub is available for guidance, signposting and support