Ofsted has confirmed the appointment of two companies to take over the inspection of childcare providers in England.
Grandparents who give up work to look after their grandchildren will be able to claim a weekly childcare allowance, under new plans set out by chancellor George Osborne.
A new guide from the charity Grandparents Plus offers help to grandparents who provide emotional, practical and financial support to families.
Campaigners have renewed calls for Britain to ban a chemical frequently found in baby bottles, as Denmark became the first European country to restrict its use last month because of health fears.
The body responsible for negotiating the pay and conditions of nursery nurses and teaching assistants in schools is to be axed, according to a document leaked to the press last week.
Babies understand the concept of numbers and counting from as early as 18 months, according to new research.
Ofsted inspectors in early years and social care are locked in a pay dispute over a three-year pay freeze, which is disrupting nursery and childminding inspections.
Children's secretary Ed Balls has written to Ofsted proposing an end to regulating reciprocal childcare arrangements between friends.
The number of childminders is continuing to fall but to a lesser degree than the previous quarter, according to the latest Ofsted figures.
The UK’s largest nursery group, Busy Bees, is to close its Chandler’s Ford setting in Hampshire.