Early Years News, Articles, Guides & More
Stay up-to-date with our articles, guides and news relating to early years learning and education.
Early Years News, Articles, Guides & More
Stay up-to-date with our articles, guides and news relating to early years learning and education.
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Our Amazing Nursery
Little Acorns is a nursery & preschool in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham & Wood End. We offer outstanding weekday childcare for babies (3 months +), toddlers & children up to 5 years old.
Contact Little Acorns
Chapel House
Victoria Road
Padiham
Lancashire, BB12 8RF
01282 680 822
Email us here
Free Childcare Through Universal Credit (Rough Guide)
In today’s post, the third in our series of guides about Government childcare funding schemes, we look at free childcare funding available through Universal Credit. This is particularly timely because the scheme becomes significantly more generous from the 28th of June 2023, so eligible families will start benefitting just as today’s guide goes live. The changes come into effect following commitments made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Spring Budget back in March. They make childcare funding through Universal Credit more generous and easier to fund. We will explain what we mean by that, as well as outline the facts, figures and eligibility requirements for the scheme, in our guide to Free Childcare Through Universal Credit below.
Free Childcare for 2-Year-Olds in England (Quick Guide)
Today we explain the Government’s free childcare funding scheme for eligible 2-year-olds. While it’s not as universally available as the childcare funding scheme for 3- and 4-year-olds, there are still a significant number of children who will be able to benefit from this scheme for children aged two. And, by starting their early years education no later than this specific age, children are known to boost personal bests, social skills, cognitive development and even life outcomes — in many profound ways. (More information on the benefits of starting an early years education early is available here). What’s more, this particular funding is aimed at 2-year-olds that are disadvantaged in some way, so it can help to level up the playing field for them.
So, how does the scheme work, which 2-year-olds are eligible for the free funding and how do families access it? In today’s guide to Free Childcare for 2-Year-Olds in England, we explain everything you need to know and answer all such questions.
Follow Little Acorns Nursery on Social Media
If you’re a parent of a child under five, consider following Little Acorns Nursery on our social media channels and here on our blog. As well as showcasing some of the activities and events at our Padiham nursery, we’ll also publicise useful and informative guides, articles and advice about parenting, early years learning and development, and everything to do with childcare. For example, we may publish guides explaining eligibility rules for the various Government-funded schemes for free childcare, or discuss the findings of important studies into the education of under-fives. We may show images from trips the children have been on, or highlight a fun and educational activity that children under five can take part in at home. These are just a few examples, so do follow us if you’d like to be kept better informed. Details follow…
Little Acorns Nursery Receives a Message from King Charles III
Following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September, children at Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham, began to create their own pictures showcasing their interpretation of her as their monarch. The result was a beautiful collection of images that were at times quirky and always charming, creative and unique. Many were also rather touching, given the subject matter and circumstances. So much so, in fact, that once complete, staff at Little Acorns decided to send them, on behalf of the children, to the Royal Family. So, off they went, packaged up with a covering note passing on sincere condolences to the Royal Family from both staff and children at the nursery.
Then, in early February, to our surprise and absolute delight, we received correspondence notably featuring a postmark from Buckingham Palace and a Royal crest. It was addressed to the children and staff at Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham. Inside was a beautiful and heartfelt reply card and message, sent by none other than…
The Benefits of Nursery & Pre-School to Under-5s
Free Childcare for 3- & 4-Year-Olds (Quick Guide)
For 3- and 4-year-olds, there are two main childcare funding schemes …
Hygge is Coming to Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham
First, though … what is Hygge and how do you even say the word? …