How we make the news
Hubba Training's early years news is written and published by the Hubba Training team, the people behind our courses for nurseries in England and Scotland. Every Monday morning we post a recap of the week, and we post anything that cannot wait as soon as it is checked.
How every story is made
- 1Spotted
We watch official websites in England and Scotland every hour and save the exact words of anything new.
- 2Drafted
A first draft is written only from that saved official text, with every fact tied to the line it came from.
- 3Checked
Every number, date and quote is checked against the source, then checked again claim by claim.
- 4Approved
Someone in the Hubba Training team reads it beside the source, puts it right and approves it. Nothing goes live without that.
What we check
- Every fact comes from an official source, linked at the foot of the story
- Numbers, dates and money match the source word for word
- The nation it applies to is clear from the first line
- A plan or promise is labelled Proposed, never Action needed
- No child, member of staff or setting is ever identified
- Nothing about a live court case, ever
The official websites we watch
England
- Department for Education
- Ofsted
- UK Parliament
- legislation.gov.uk
- Competition and Markets Authority
Scotland
- Scottish Government
- Care Inspectorate
- HM Inspectorate of Education
- Scottish Parliament
- Scottish Social Services Council
- legislation.gov.uk
Corrections
No corrections yet.
If we get something wrong we correct it on the story, say so at the top, and list it here. Email info@hubbatraining.com.
Recent stories
The week in early years: 12 to 16 October 2026
What changed for nurseries and childminders in England and Scotland this week, from the official websites, and the dates coming up.
Over the border: This recap covers England and Scotland together.
Competition watchdog sends legal information requests to nurseries
The Competition and Markets Authority has asked a number of smaller childcare providers in England for information. If your setting is asked, you must reply.
Over the border: The market study covers England only, so settings in Scotland are not part of it.
Safety alert: only use baby sleeping bags with arm holes and no hood
A UK-wide Product Safety Alert tells childcare settings not to buy or use baby sleeping bags that lack arm holes or have a hood.
Most providers say Ofsted's new inspections were respectful
The first findings from independent research into Ofsted's renewed inspections in England, including early years, were published on 9 October 2026.
Over the border: In Scotland, settings are inspected by the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors of Education, not Ofsted.
You can now ask your council to pay your funding every month
From October 2026, councils in England must pay early years providers for the free entitlements every month if the provider asks. This includes childminders.
Over the border: This rule is in the statutory guidance for councils in England only.
Funded places for eligible two-year-olds: Holyrood committee backs the order
A Scottish Parliament committee has recommended approval of an order that protects funded early learning and childcare for eligible two-year-olds in Scotland.
Over the border: This order applies in Scotland only.