Foundation Years May Bulletin

DfE Updates

• New guidance to strengthen transition practice getting children ready for reception
• DfE announces 9,500 fully funded Early Years SENCO training places from April 2026
• Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme
  

Sector Updates

• “Within our nurseries, one question comes up time and again: how can we use Early Years Pupil Premium funding in a way that genuinely closes learning gaps? 

DfE Updates

New guidance to strengthen transition practice getting children ready for reception

The Department for Education has published new reception transition guidance to support children starting school and strengthen transition practice across early years and primary settings.  

With September reception cohorts now confirmed, this is a key time for schools and early years educators to plan and deliver effective reception transition activities. The guidance sets out practical approaches to working in partnership with families, nurseries, childminders and schools.   

It supports early identification of children’s needs and promotes high quality transition activities which will help children feel confident and ready to learn from the start of reception. 

Schools, trusts and early years settings are encouraged to use this resource now to review and strengthen their transition arrangements, ensuring more children have a strong start in reception. 

This guidance complements existing early years support and strengthens practice across the system. 

Help families feel ready for September – MC Grammar’s new ‘Steps for School’

 song is here to make preparing fun. Little steps at home make a big difference. Visit the Best Start in Life website to find out more: Preparing for school - Best Start in Life

DfE announces 9,500 fully funded Early Years SENCO training places from April 2026

As part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy, to break down barriers to opportunity and improve early identification and support for children with SEND, the Department for Education is very pleased to announce that Best Practice Network (BPN) has been selected as our delivery partner to provide an additional 9,500 Early Years SENCO training places from April 2026 until March 2028. 

Training is available across England and is open to Early Years educators currently working as, or due to start working as, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator in their setting. 

Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey MP said:  

“Early years staff are vital to delivering high-quality support for children and making sure every child, especially those with additional needs, gets the best start in life. 

That’s why we’re training 9,500 Early Years SENCOs, backing the sector with the expertise needed to identify SEND early and support children to thrive. 

Best Practice Network has a strong track record of delivery, and this next phase will help us reach more settings across the country – particularly in the communities that need it most – so every child can get on and succeed.” 

The first cohort of trainees commenced in April 2026 and recruitment is open for future cohorts now. For further information, including eligibility and to complete your application, please see Early Years SENCO - Level 3 | Best Practice Network. 

Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme

We’re pleased that the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme continues to be free for all state-funded schools to support reception-aged children who need extra help with their speech and language development. With funding for the programme confirmed until AY28/29, subject to further spending rounds, we encourage schools to build this programme into their future school improvement plans. 

NELI is delivered over a 20-week period to build children’s vocabulary, listening and storytelling skills through targeted small group and individual sessions and has been shown to make significant impact with those taking part making 4 months of additional progress on average, in oral language skills. This increases to 7 months for children on free school meals. 

For further information and how to register visit https://www.teachneli.org/ 

Read here how Henleaze Infants School have used NELI to support their children’s language development What early language intervention taught me – Teaching

Sector Updates

Within our nurseries, one question comes up time and again: how can we use Early Years Pupil Premium funding in a way that genuinely closes learning gaps?

Maybe you’re also grappling with the same question? 

“After reflection, we realised the power of the Early Years Pupil Premium lies not in what we buy, but in what we do.” 

In this blog for the Education Endowment Foundation, Nicola Cherry shares her experience of taking the time to reflect on what works and how it helped her settings make the most of their funding and resources:  https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/strategy-when-using-the-early-years-pupil-premium