​Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK, stated:
"This is a pivotal moment. The Committee’s report makes clear what we’ve been saying: our world-class content industries face a systemic crisis. For animation, the warning lights have been flashing for some time. We fully endorse the Committee’s calls for stronger support but urge them to build on their recommendations by ensuring the distinctive needs of the UK animation sector are embedded into future evidence, analysis and policy.

​Animation is one of the most geographically diverse and export-ready parts of the screen sector. With the right conditions, not handouts, but smart, targeted policies, it can thrive, drive growth, and tell British stories to the world. But without action, we risk losing that voice, that talent, and that future."

With strategic interventions, UK animation could double its economic impact—growing from £1.7bn to over £2bn—and create over 20,000 highly skilled jobs. Animation UK urges MPs and policymakers to act now and place animation at the heart of future screen strategy.

You can read the full CMS report here, as well as a press release detailing how different investment routes have supported us.

We are excited to announce our partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to highlight the importance of the future workforce in early education and childcare.
​
GMCA has launched an ambitious 12-month campaign to raise the profile of early education and childcare and encourage more people to consider a career in the sector. The campaign features 11 early education and childcare professionals from across our city, sharing their stories about the significant impact they make on the lives of babies, toddlers, and young children. You can find out more and watch the campaign videos via this link.

They recently contacted all nurseries and childminders in Greater Manchester to encourage participation in their ‘Drawn To You’ competition.

What is the Drawn to You competition?
(GMCA) want to capture the voice of young children through asking them to draw picture of their teacher/keyworker/childminder and tell them what they love about them, it might be their hugs, patience or love of reading or playing together!  Alternatively, wthey would love to see photos of children with their teacher/keyworker/childminder and 3 key words to describe them.
​
You may want to consider involving parents in this as a home learning activity or completing it with children in the setting.

The workforce campaign runs until September 2025, entries will be selected to feature in adverts and other campaign assets across Greater Manchester. This might include digital billboards at the Trafford Centre or adverts on our public transport network!

One setting from each local authority area will be chosen to receive some fun learning goodies from us. We are Green Bean Studios , a Manchester-based children's IP entertainment brand.
Our multi-award-winning brand includes the Green Bean Collection , a retail line of collectable books, ECO toys, games, and outdoor products for children.
​
Founded by multi-award-winning author and entrepreneur Anita Frost , Green Bean Studios is built on over 20 years of professional experience in child development, innovation, and business.
Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of play, learning, and outdoor adventure in children, helping them to thrive.
​
How will we use the drawings?
We’re looking to display the drawings in a number of ways in an exhibition hosted by Manchester Art Gallery in June ’25. This may include enlaring drawings or using them in a collage to create a larger piece. We’ll also be looking to use some of the drawings in later stages in the digital aspect of our campaign.

Please indicate how you with your submission to be used on the consent form. ​

Who can compete in the competition?
All children from ages 0-5 can enter, as long as they attend a nursery setting (school nursery/maintained nursery/PVI or a Childminder in Greater Manchester). Greater Manchester includes the following local authority areas:

• Bolton
• Bury
• Manchester
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Salford
• Stockport
• Tameside
• Trafford
• Wigan

How to submit entries?
Settings to post submissions and consent forms to School Readiness Programme, Tootal Buildings, 1st Floor, 56 Oxford Road, M1 6EU or scan and send via email [email protected] (School Readiness Project Officer).
​
Please complete 1 consent form for each child/early years practitioner featured in submitted materials.
​
The deadline to enter is 12th May 2025.
We hope this is something you’ll want to support and look forward to hearing from you!

Join us for another very special edition of our monthly sessions for under-4s, with an author appearance and reading from author and founder of the Green Bean collection, Anita Frost. ​

Anita will be joining us over the Easter school holidays to introduce us to more books from the Green Bean collection, a series of collectable children’s books and toys from birth to primary school age.
​
Book your free ticket below or by calling in Urmston Books and Board Games store. ​