Encourage mark making as a way of supporting early writing skills Whether or not children should be being taught to write in the early years is always up for debate with practitioners feeling either strongly for or against children writing while in early years settings. Many forget that the early years outcomes follow children into … [Read more...] about Using Mark Making to aid children’s development
Young children still not accessing free childcare
Too many two-year-olds are missing out on free nursery education Recent statistics show that parents of two-year-olds are not claiming the funding they are entitled to and are therefore missing out on fifteen hours of free childcare. Who and why? The childcare funding was increased for all three and four-year-olds to include some … [Read more...] about Young children still not accessing free childcare
How to promote Democracy within your childcare setting
Top ways to promote democracy British Values in the early years are still a fairly new concept however they are highly important in creating an outstanding environment where children can grow up to be a respectful member of society. British values are made of four separate concepts – Democracy, Mutual Respect, and tolerance, Rule of Law and … [Read more...] about How to promote Democracy within your childcare setting
Newly qualified childcare practitioners to hold Paediatric First Aid
Millie’s Mark Officially launched by Childcare Minister Millie’s Mark is officially launched by the childcare minister after years of campaigning and hard work from two devoted parents. Millie’s Mark has been created after two parents suffered the terrible loss of their daughter in 2012 after she choked on a meal whilst in nursery. 10 … [Read more...] about Newly qualified childcare practitioners to hold Paediatric First Aid
Review of GCSE requirements for childcare staff
The Save Our Early Years Campaign welcomes review of GCSE requirements for childcare staff A statement from Julie Hyde, Executive Director at CACHE, the organisation leading the Save Our Early Years Campaign, calling on the Government to reverse a decision that Level 3 Early Years Educators can only count in the ratios if they have GCSEs at C … [Read more...] about Review of GCSE requirements for childcare staff
High turnover of staff affecting children’s development
Staff turnovers affecting children’s development Staff turnovers are particularly high in childcare settings, with many practitioners leaving to find employment in other sectors or different settings. Some settings struggle with morale and staff turnovers more than others. Professionals are arguing that high turnovers can have a damaging … [Read more...] about High turnover of staff affecting children’s development
Why Ofsted require so much paperwork!
Is childcare paperwork just to please Ofsted More and more paperwork is being completed than ever, and the list of Ofsted requirements appears to be ever increasing, but is the child really at the heart of it all? Many would argue that a lot of the paperwork completed and displayed is unnecessary and is merely completed to “please” often … [Read more...] about Why Ofsted require so much paperwork!
How early years practitioners can help develop children’s skills
Developing children's skills at nursery Children attend early years settings for a variety of reasons, however once they are a part of the setting it is the role of the practitioner to promote and support the skills children need to reach. Each child is different however the theories of child development can be applied to every child. The EYFS … [Read more...] about How early years practitioners can help develop children’s skills
Children don’t learn turn taking until the age of five
Children struggle to fully understand the skill of turn-taking until they are five years old Recent research that has been published has suggested that turn taking and conflict management is a cognitive skill that children are not able to acquire until the age of five. This would be in line with recommendations made by the early years … [Read more...] about Children don’t learn turn taking until the age of five
Should August babies start school later?
What are your views on August babies starting school later? This is something which seems to be becoming a more discussed topic with an increase in the number of parents requesting this happens. Also, this has been brought up by professionals who have been debating whether there should be a change to the regulations of when a child should … [Read more...] about Should August babies start school later?