Something for Everyone

Bear with me, today's update is going to be a monster. I've been away for a week, during which it seems that the childcare sector has gone into overdrive, so here's a simple update of significant news stories and new research with summaries where available:

• Today the government have announced a review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which could have wide-ranging implications for all professionals who work with young children. Yet the results of research published today by the Daycare Trust show that the EYFS has strong support among childcare providers.

• A brief research report looking at free schools in Sweden (the model for the proposed changes to many schools in the UK) argues that they have no impact on the achievement of poor or immigrant children. The summary of research evidence by Rebecca Allen of the Institute of Education can be read here.

• This week (Monday 5th July - Sunday 11th July) is National Childhood Obesity Week. To find links to previous research on this topic, take a look at the 'Hot Topics' section in the right-hand column and click on 'Child Obesity.'

• Eurydice has published a new, extensive report entitled Gender Differences in Educational Outcomes: Study on the Measures Taken and the Current Situation in Europe.

• ICT bods may be interested in new research from the NFER entitled Children and Young People's Views on Web 2.0 Technologies.

• The National Centre for Social Research has published Characteristics of Bullying Victims in Schools, which assesses the relative importance of a range of factors that can lead to the bullying of young people.

• Engaging for their Futures and our Society is the title of a new report from the Children's Communication Coalition, and examines how to improve the life chances of children with speech, language and communication needs.

• The Centre for Policy Studies has published Cutting the Children's Plan, a report which suggests areas where savings in children's services can be made in the forthcoming public sector cuts.

• The latest official set of statistical data on children with special educational needs has just been released; very useful if you have an interest in this area!

• Teaching enthusiasts may find Behaviour for Learning useful; this is a research anthology which examines the different learning styles of pupils and teachers' attitudes towards them.

• The National Childminding Association (NCMA) has launched a free childminder engagement tool, to enable childminders and children's centres to collaborate more closely.