Tim Shakespeare
@tim-shakespeare.bsky.social
Working on research and innovation to give children a fairer start and reduce inequalities. New dad, community volunteer and senior analyst @nestauk.bsky.social. My own views
Anyone interested in data and the early years should register for our upcoming event in Bradford, organised by the brilliant @rachelwilcock.bsky.social Register now! www.nesta.org.uk/event/using-...
October 15, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Anyone interested in data and the early years should register for our upcoming event in Bradford, organised by the brilliant @rachelwilcock.bsky.social Register now! www.nesta.org.uk/event/using-...
I've just spent a bit of time reading through these posts and highly recommend anyone thinking about how to engage in and support place-based change to take a look!
Keen to share some work that I've been doing with Anna Waldie and Michael Little for Place Matters. We've been developing some research into the evidence that supports place based work, and in doing so we've thought very differently about what that place-based work is placeandevidence.substack.com
Place and Evidence | Michael Little | Substack
This work is produced by Ratio, Stories of Change and Place Matters. Click to read Place and Evidence, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
placeandevidence.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:40 AM
I've just spent a bit of time reading through these posts and highly recommend anyone thinking about how to engage in and support place-based change to take a look!
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
My newsletter Early Years High 5 is out now
1 Half of children on FSM aren’t ‘school ready’
2 Teaching assistants feel undervalued
3 Age matters in EYFS data
4 What can England learn from global SEND policy?
5 Where should the next 400 Family Hubs go?
📩 Read more: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
1 Half of children on FSM aren’t ‘school ready’
2 Teaching assistants feel undervalued
3 Age matters in EYFS data
4 What can England learn from global SEND policy?
5 Where should the next 400 Family Hubs go?
📩 Read more: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
Early Years High 5 | LinkedIn
Early years research evidence in 5 quick reads
www.linkedin.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:47 AM
My newsletter Early Years High 5 is out now
1 Half of children on FSM aren’t ‘school ready’
2 Teaching assistants feel undervalued
3 Age matters in EYFS data
4 What can England learn from global SEND policy?
5 Where should the next 400 Family Hubs go?
📩 Read more: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
1 Half of children on FSM aren’t ‘school ready’
2 Teaching assistants feel undervalued
3 Age matters in EYFS data
4 What can England learn from global SEND policy?
5 Where should the next 400 Family Hubs go?
📩 Read more: www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
We are pleased to share Funding Futures, a project commissioned by Collective Futures, Henry Smith Foundation and the Ethos Foundation, and delivered with EPI, Mime and Isos Partnership. It identifies the most effective ways to target early years investment and reduce local disadvantage gaps.
September 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
We are pleased to share Funding Futures, a project commissioned by Collective Futures, Henry Smith Foundation and the Ethos Foundation, and delivered with EPI, Mime and Isos Partnership. It identifies the most effective ways to target early years investment and reduce local disadvantage gaps.
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
📣𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀
Check out the lastest edition of my free monthly newsletter on Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/build-relati...
Check out the lastest edition of my free monthly newsletter on Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/build-relati...
September 15, 2025 at 5:41 AM
📣𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀
Check out the lastest edition of my free monthly newsletter on Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/build-relati...
Check out the lastest edition of my free monthly newsletter on Linkedin
www.linkedin.com/build-relati...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
The 30 hour policy extension is the continuation of a huge shift in government funding in the early years, from what had been a much greater focus on supporting lower income children's development, to money going to better off families for childcare.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Poorer families may not benefit as 30 hours free childcare begins in England, experts say
Low-income parents ineligible for government scheme will pay more for early years education, analysis suggests
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The 30 hour policy extension is the continuation of a huge shift in government funding in the early years, from what had been a much greater focus on supporting lower income children's development, to money going to better off families for childcare.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...
Some great analysis by my colleagues at Nesta looking at where new Best Start Family Hubs should be located in order to improve outcomes for children in the early years. It's important to look deeper than local authority level data!
www.nesta.org.uk/data-visuali...
www.nesta.org.uk/data-visuali...
August 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Some great analysis by my colleagues at Nesta looking at where new Best Start Family Hubs should be located in order to improve outcomes for children in the early years. It's important to look deeper than local authority level data!
www.nesta.org.uk/data-visuali...
www.nesta.org.uk/data-visuali...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
With the release of the Explainer Series of short animations/videos by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, read Voices blog by Sarah Cartner as she shares her experience of being one of the practitioners who helped co-produce these films.
ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...
#HealthVisiting
ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...
#HealthVisiting
August 15, 2025 at 10:44 AM
With the release of the Explainer Series of short animations/videos by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, read Voices blog by Sarah Cartner as she shares her experience of being one of the practitioners who helped co-produce these films.
ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...
#HealthVisiting
ihv.org.uk/news-and-vie...
#HealthVisiting
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
Spending on the new childcare entitlements next year could be £1bn higher than initially forecast in March 2023 - a 25% increase.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
June 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Spending on the new childcare entitlements next year could be £1bn higher than initially forecast in March 2023 - a 25% increase.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
May research update!
Each month, I put together a list of new research about early childhood and policy, including benefits policy, ECEC, parenting support and services. After being told many times to share it beyond the Nesta team, I've finally gotten around to it. First edition here:
Each month, I put together a list of new research about early childhood and policy, including benefits policy, ECEC, parenting support and services. After being told many times to share it beyond the Nesta team, I've finally gotten around to it. First edition here:
May 2025
Hi everyone! Each month, I usually put together a list of interesting research I stumble upon, that seems relevant for the Fairer Start team at Nesta. After a few colleagues suggested I share it more ...
www.linkedin.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:50 PM
May research update!
Each month, I put together a list of new research about early childhood and policy, including benefits policy, ECEC, parenting support and services. After being told many times to share it beyond the Nesta team, I've finally gotten around to it. First edition here:
Each month, I put together a list of new research about early childhood and policy, including benefits policy, ECEC, parenting support and services. After being told many times to share it beyond the Nesta team, I've finally gotten around to it. First edition here:
My colleague @rachelwilcock.bsky.social is organising an excellent event for anyone interested in how we use data to improve services for children and families in the early years. Sign up now! www.nesta.org.uk/event/using-...
Using data in the early years
Nesta is hosting an all-day event for professionals to come together and share ideas on how data can improve services for children and families
www.nesta.org.uk
May 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM
My colleague @rachelwilcock.bsky.social is organising an excellent event for anyone interested in how we use data to improve services for children and families in the early years. Sign up now! www.nesta.org.uk/event/using-...
A few weeks ago 250 people join us for our online event - sharing learning on 'how to support early years innovation in local authorities'. Catch up now with the recording on youtube to hear from leaders from local authorities, DfE and funders! www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Np...
A Fairer Start Local: how to support early years innovation in local authorities
YouTube video by Nesta - The UK's Innovation Agency
www.youtube.com
May 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
A few weeks ago 250 people join us for our online event - sharing learning on 'how to support early years innovation in local authorities'. Catch up now with the recording on youtube to hear from leaders from local authorities, DfE and funders! www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Np...
More than 250 people joined our launch event for the A Fairer Start Local report last week. Watch on youtube to hear what we learned by working with three local authorities to support innovation in early years services. www.youtube.com/live/H_Np9ET...
A Fairer Start Local: how to support early years innovation in local authorities
YouTube video by Nesta - The UK's Innovation Agency
www.youtube.com
April 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM
More than 250 people joined our launch event for the A Fairer Start Local report last week. Watch on youtube to hear what we learned by working with three local authorities to support innovation in early years services. www.youtube.com/live/H_Np9ET...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
🚨 We’re hiring! My team at @nestauk.bsky.social are looking for a Quantitative Analyst 📊
If you’re interested in generating data-led insights which can have a real world impact, this may be the role for you.
More information in the job advert, but happy to answer any queries about the role!
If you’re interested in generating data-led insights which can have a real world impact, this may be the role for you.
More information in the job advert, but happy to answer any queries about the role!
Quantitative Analyst (A Fairer Start)
We are seeking a Quantitative Analyst to work in Nesta’s A Fairer Start mission.
www.nesta.org.uk
April 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🚨 We’re hiring! My team at @nestauk.bsky.social are looking for a Quantitative Analyst 📊
If you’re interested in generating data-led insights which can have a real world impact, this may be the role for you.
More information in the job advert, but happy to answer any queries about the role!
If you’re interested in generating data-led insights which can have a real world impact, this may be the role for you.
More information in the job advert, but happy to answer any queries about the role!
Our innovation in the early years report shares what we've learned about how to innovate effectively in early years services www.nesta.org.uk/report/innov.... Read the report to see how we used a 'test and learn' approach to increase integration of health visiting and midwifery teams in Stockport
April 16, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Our innovation in the early years report shares what we've learned about how to innovate effectively in early years services www.nesta.org.uk/report/innov.... Read the report to see how we used a 'test and learn' approach to increase integration of health visiting and midwifery teams in Stockport
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
Today we launched the final report for A Fairer Start Local - innovation partnerships with the brilliant Leeds, York, Stockport & GMCA. I wrote this for the LGC on the lessons we learnt on innovating well, hopefully useful for the emerging Opportunity Mission!
www.lgcplus.com/services/chi...
www.lgcplus.com/services/chi...
Tom Symons: Six lessons for early years innovation | Local Government Chronicle (LGC)
True partnership between families, communities, professionals, policy makers, funders, researchers and innovators is needed, writes the deputy director of
www.lgcplus.com
April 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Today we launched the final report for A Fairer Start Local - innovation partnerships with the brilliant Leeds, York, Stockport & GMCA. I wrote this for the LGC on the lessons we learnt on innovating well, hopefully useful for the emerging Opportunity Mission!
www.lgcplus.com/services/chi...
www.lgcplus.com/services/chi...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
Want to learn more?
🎟️ Join our lunchtime webinar on 24 April to hear from those who delivered the programme – from Nesta analysts and designers to early years leaders and practitioners in local authorities.
Register to attend: bit.ly/41j24ZN
🎟️ Join our lunchtime webinar on 24 April to hear from those who delivered the programme – from Nesta analysts and designers to early years leaders and practitioners in local authorities.
Register to attend: bit.ly/41j24ZN
April 15, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Want to learn more?
🎟️ Join our lunchtime webinar on 24 April to hear from those who delivered the programme – from Nesta analysts and designers to early years leaders and practitioners in local authorities.
Register to attend: bit.ly/41j24ZN
🎟️ Join our lunchtime webinar on 24 April to hear from those who delivered the programme – from Nesta analysts and designers to early years leaders and practitioners in local authorities.
Register to attend: bit.ly/41j24ZN
This report is the culmination of some incredible partnership working between nesta and local authorities. Take a look to see what innovation in the early years can achieve!
4 years ago we launched Fairer Start Local – an innovation partnership with local authorities to test & scale new ideas for supporting early childhood development.
Our new report explores the findings from the programme and lessons on how to innovate in the early years. bit.ly/4jvjqsD
Our new report explores the findings from the programme and lessons on how to innovate in the early years. bit.ly/4jvjqsD
April 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
This report is the culmination of some incredible partnership working between nesta and local authorities. Take a look to see what innovation in the early years can achieve!
A highlight of my time at Nesta so far is bringing colleagues from York, Stockport & Leeds councils together to reflect on the difference they've made through 'A Fairer Start Local'. We've distilled all that wisdom into a report launching soon. Sign up to hear more! www.nesta.org.uk/event/a-fair...
A Fairer Start Local: how to support early years innovation in local authorities
Join us to discover how Nesta and three local authorities worked together to improve outcomes for children
www.nesta.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A highlight of my time at Nesta so far is bringing colleagues from York, Stockport & Leeds councils together to reflect on the difference they've made through 'A Fairer Start Local'. We've distilled all that wisdom into a report launching soon. Sign up to hear more! www.nesta.org.uk/event/a-fair...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
🧵 My team @nestauk.bsky.social recently did a really interesting piece of analysis comparing borrowing rates of library books to speech & language therapy referral rates in Leeds, showing that areas with high levels of re-referrals to SLT correspond with low borrowing of books 1/2
Using data to understand and improve book borrowing for children in Leeds
Working with Leeds City Council, we analysed library data to explore geographic and demographic differences in children's book borrowing and its correlation with NHS speech and language service referr...
www.nesta.org.uk
March 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🧵 My team @nestauk.bsky.social recently did a really interesting piece of analysis comparing borrowing rates of library books to speech & language therapy referral rates in Leeds, showing that areas with high levels of re-referrals to SLT correspond with low borrowing of books 1/2
This report from Better Purpose was commissioned by a collaborative group of early years funders. It addresses 'what works to improve children's outcomes'. Definitely worth reading! www.betterpurpose.co/early-childh...
Early Childhood Outcomes Report | Better Purpose
www.betterpurpose.co
February 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
This report from Better Purpose was commissioned by a collaborative group of early years funders. It addresses 'what works to improve children's outcomes'. Definitely worth reading! www.betterpurpose.co/early-childh...
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
The government is putting integrated EY support at the top of the policy agenda in England, but getting the infrastructure for data collection and sharing right from the start is crucial.
I wrote a blog for @nestauk.bsky.social on lessons we can learn from Wales' Flying Start programme 🏴
I wrote a blog for @nestauk.bsky.social on lessons we can learn from Wales' Flying Start programme 🏴
Wales has valuable data lessons for England’s Family Hub rollout
We can learn from established programmes with data systems that help children, families and professionals.
www.nesta.org.uk
February 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The government is putting integrated EY support at the top of the policy agenda in England, but getting the infrastructure for data collection and sharing right from the start is crucial.
I wrote a blog for @nestauk.bsky.social on lessons we can learn from Wales' Flying Start programme 🏴
I wrote a blog for @nestauk.bsky.social on lessons we can learn from Wales' Flying Start programme 🏴
I'm a bit late to the party but have finally got a copy of the book and signed up for the next book club event in March! Looking forward to it :)
Come and Join the Child Centred EYFS Book Club. We will focus on one chapter each month. It’s great CPD and also an opportunity to develop a community of practice within the EYs. £5 below 👇🏻
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-child-ce...
#PlayMatters #ChildCentred #EYFS #EarlyYears @ruthswailes.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-child-ce...
#PlayMatters #ChildCentred #EYFS #EarlyYears @ruthswailes.bsky.social
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
February 18, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I'm a bit late to the party but have finally got a copy of the book and signed up for the next book club event in March! Looking forward to it :)
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
Our @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social
annual HV survey published‼️
A call to get the basics right, with action to rebuild the HV workforce that has been cut beyond the bone in too many areas🚨
The needs of babies, children & families must lie at the heart of all service transformation👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👇
annual HV survey published‼️
A call to get the basics right, with action to rebuild the HV workforce that has been cut beyond the bone in too many areas🚨
The needs of babies, children & families must lie at the heart of all service transformation👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👇
iHV publishes findings from largest survey of #HealthVisitors working with families with babies & young children across UK, highlighting stark increase in complex needs coupled with a severe shortage of HVs and significant disparities in service provision
https://buff.ly/40v6N9m
#HealhVisiting
https://buff.ly/40v6N9m
#HealhVisiting
January 27, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Our @ihealthvisiting.bsky.social
annual HV survey published‼️
A call to get the basics right, with action to rebuild the HV workforce that has been cut beyond the bone in too many areas🚨
The needs of babies, children & families must lie at the heart of all service transformation👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👇
annual HV survey published‼️
A call to get the basics right, with action to rebuild the HV workforce that has been cut beyond the bone in too many areas🚨
The needs of babies, children & families must lie at the heart of all service transformation👶🏾👶🏼👶🏿👇
Reposted by Tim Shakespeare
Our Manifesto for Childminders sets out 9 actions to address plummeting childminder numbers, ensuring children have the very best start in life.
Let's make 2025 the year for childminding!
www.pacey.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Let's make 2025 the year for childminding!
www.pacey.org.uk/wp-content/u...
January 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Our Manifesto for Childminders sets out 9 actions to address plummeting childminder numbers, ensuring children have the very best start in life.
Let's make 2025 the year for childminding!
www.pacey.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Let's make 2025 the year for childminding!
www.pacey.org.uk/wp-content/u...