DfE launches consultations on the future of early years funding and teaching.

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched two consultations seeking views on proposed changes to early years funding and the future of early years teaching in England.  

Early years funding: proposed changes to the entitlements funding system, sets out the government's vision for a reformed early years funding system linked to the current childcare entitlement offer. It also includes proposals for transitional arrangements during 2027-28 and seeks feedback on how funding can best support the delivery of early years provision. The consultation opened on 6 July 2026 and closes on 14 September 2026.

The DfE has also published Shaping the future of early years teaching, which focuses on reforms to how early years teachers are trained and assessed. The consultation aims to raise the quality of training, strengthen the professional status of early years teachers, and ensure children benefit from excellent teaching wherever they access early education. It is open until 24 September 2026.  

The consultation is seeking views from across the early years and education sectors, including practitioners, leaders, trainee teachers, experts and organisations with an interest in improving outcomes for young children. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/shaping-the-future-of-early-years-teaching