After a relatively quiet time over the summer, the new term has well and truly arrived amid a welter of reports, research and initiatives.
The 30 hours funded childcare is, of course, very prominent in all this, including the release of the DfE-commissioned study into the first full year of 30 hours.
Findings showed providers pushed into loss-making positions, saying that funding rates were unsustainable, and parents reporting restrictions on hours and charges for extras.
Strangely, the DfE heralded the report as proving the success of the 30 hours policy, with parents 'reaping the benefits' and providers 'stepping up to the plate'.
Research from early years organisations on the 30 hours' not-so-happy birthday gave a rather different spin to the DfE.
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