Lewisham Early Years

New Summer Safety Display Pack

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

We have received a useful Summer Safety Pack from the Child Accident Prevention Trust. The pack contains important...

Places Kids Can Eat for FREE or for £1 Over Summer Holidays 2026

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Money saving central have uploaded all the restaurants and cafes which are offering 'Kids Eat Free'...

Out and about in Lewisham

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

There are lots of family-friendly activities available across Lewisham during the summer holidays. Including summer activities and story sessions in local libraries...

Balancing screen time

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The updated EYFS framework highlights the importance of providers having regard to children's screen use and its potential impact on children's screen use...

EYFS Changes Coming from September 2026

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Department for Education published updated EYFS statutory frameworks taking effect from 1st September 2026. Key areas include...

Moving the Box Project launches in Lewisham

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This week saw the launch of the Moving the Box Programme in Lewisham, a professional development initiative designed to...

Home Learning Environment (HLE) – Ideas and information that can be shared with your families

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The summer break offers wonderful opportunities for children to learn, explore...

Thank you for engaging with Step into Schools

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

A huge thank you to all settings that have engaged with the Step into Schools digital platform to support children and families...

Updated Statement on Floor Beds and Coracles

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Minister Bailey sent a letter in March 2026 setting out proposed revised safer sleep requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage...

Story Telling by Laura Henry-Allain MBE at Horniman Museum

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join the award-winning author Laura Henry-Allain MBE behind JoJo and Gran Gran for a special...

Sydenham's Big Cat Safari Walkabout Theatre Show

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This free event for all ages is funded by the Postcode Society Trust, and supported by Kirkdale Bookshop, SYDENHAM'S BIG CAT SAFARI...

Ofsted preparation – and beyond

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Our Early Years Ofsted Inspection Preparation Toolkit is now available to support settings and childminders. While it is designed...

🌟 Introducing the Lewisham Early Years Members’ Area 🌟

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

We’re pleased to introduce you to the Lewisham Early Years Members’ Area - a secure, dedicated space created exclusively...

Important information about measles in South East London

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Lewisham Council is working with closely with other South East London councils, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA)...

Benefits Of Taking Lewisham2's

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Offering 15-hour funded places for two‑year‑olds can be a rewarding and sustainable part of your early years business model. Many providers...

Looking After Children and Those in Early Years Settings During Hot Weather

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

With heatwaves now becoming more frequent and lasting longer, please see government guidance on supporting..

Lewisham Best Start Family Hubs

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

At Best Start Family Hubs, our mission is to provide the right help, in the right place, at the right time. We offer support to all families...

SEND updates - Using the Assess–Plan–Do–Review Cycle

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle (graduated approach) supports practitioners to respond to children’s needs in a structured...

Lewisham Early Years Summer Term 2026 Training

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Our Lewisham Early Years training for Summer term 2026 is now available to book. Please note - more sessions will be added and we...

Best Start Family Hubs Videos

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

A new series of short videos celebrating the work taking place across our eight Best Start Family Hubs. Each video features families from our local...

Key 2026 Sustainability Updates

Wed, 13 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Early years settings are expected to formally prioritise sustainability, with a key requirement being the appointment of a dedicated...

Transitioning into Primary School - Step into School 2026

Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

As we approach the period when children begin their transition to primary school, we know many of you will already be...

New! Lewisham Early Years Virtual Library Now Live

Thu, 07 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

We’re excited to launch the Lewisham Early Years Virtual Library

New screen time guidance for early years children

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The DfE has released updated national guidance on screen time for children aged 0–5.

Best Start Local Plan (2026–2029) – Implications for early years

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Lewisham’s new Best Start Local Plan outlines priorities for babies, young children and families

Working Within Ordinarily Available Provision

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) describes the high-quality inclusive practice that should be in place for all children.

Ban on wet wipes containing plastic

Wed, 06 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

A UK-wide ban on the sale and use of wet wipes containing plastic is being introduced.

Childminders: Making the Most of Being Outdoors

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

For childminders, the outdoors isn’t just an optional extra — it’s one of the richest, most flexible learning environments available.

Join Our Lewisham Early Years PVI and Childminder WhatsApp Community

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

We are excited to announce that the Lewisham Early Years Service has set up a WhatsApp Community to share relevant...

Early Entitlement - Age criteria

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Under 2s

Working Parent Entitlement - Up to 30 funded hours per week are available to children from the term after their 9^th month birthday (or ‘the term after they turn 9 months’)

Important Information for early years, parents and carers regarding meningococcal disease

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

On Saturday, the UKHSA published Information for education settings in England regarding the meningococcal disease outbreak

Updated Parental Declaration – Please Use the New Form

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Parental Declaration form has now been updated and must be used for all new parents/carers going forward.

Spotlight on Early Reading: Guidance from the National Literacy Trust

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The National Literacy Trust has recently shared updated practitioner guidance on supporting reading in the early years,

Makaton Early Years Virtual Taster Session

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Makaton Taster sessions are designed to provide general information about Makaton and how it can help develop language and communication skills.

Ideas for using your SEN Inclusion Funding

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF) is designed to help settings include children with additional needs within high‑quality, inclusive early education.

Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving - February 2026

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Department for Education has published the schools white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving.

The Maths Champions Programme

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Maths Champions programme is a national early years initiative developed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to strengthen the quality of mathematics...

Hourly Rates From April 2026

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

At the end of December the DfE confirmed the overall hourly rates that Lewisham will receive for the delivery of the full range of EY entitlements.

SEND training offer - released 16th January 2026

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

See all details here...

Coram PACEY's Magic of Childminding campaign

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:01:23 GMT

This campaign across England and Wales celebrates the vital role childminders play in supporting children

The Best Start in Life Campaign

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We are pleased to share with you the launch of the new Best Start in Life campaign along with the new tool kit which can be used to support the campaign. The campaign aims to increase...

Changes to Lewisham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Families First Contact Point (FFCP)

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) used to be the name for Lewisham’s central point of contact for concerns...

Updated Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Early Years Team and Complex Needs & Feeding Team Referral Form

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Please see a message below from Michelle, Advance Speech & Language Therapist...

Changes to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Safeguarding Requirements: September 2025

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

During the summer we informed you of the new changes to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) safeguarding requirements...

Lewisham Family Hubs - Parenting Programmes

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT

We want to share the following documents below from Lewisham Family Hubs about the parenting programmes on offer for parents and carers living...

New Disability Guidance and Training for Early Years Providers

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday 8th July 2025, the Council for Disabled Children published guidance and training designed to support all those working in the early years in understanding...

Updated Easy Explainer: Early Years Funding Rates

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT

The Department for Education has updated the Easy Explainer: Early Years Funding Rates which is designed to support providers to understand the early years funding system...