Children are not things to be moulded
All early years settings should provide a hot meal
Does your setting provide hot meals for children? Depending on how the early years setting runs it sessions the children may be required to stay for a meal, some may close over the lunch period; some offer a separate lunch hour where children can stay or leave, and other settings may require parents to send their children in with a packed … [Read more...] about All early years settings should provide a hot meal
Can early years settings allow children to watch TV clips?
Do you watch film snippets and TV clips in your early years setting? This has become a big Debate in early years with many frowning upon such practice believing there is no place for films, movies and TV clips in early years settings. Some feel it is lazy, and it does not allow children to explore their characteristics of effective learning, … [Read more...] about Can early years settings allow children to watch TV clips?
Signs of a great early years manager
Signs of a great Early Years Manager An early years manager plays a crucial role in an early years setting, and they are one of the most influential people in any early years setting. They create policies, procedures, manage practitioners, deal with parents, manage accounts and ensure everyone is doing their best for the children. Ofsted … [Read more...] about Signs of a great early years manager
Top 10 early years winter activities
Top 10 early years winter activities Winter weather is always a big talking point for children in the early years as they begin to notice many changes in the environment such as the frost, ice and fog. Snow is also a favourite because it is rare and holds many joys for children when they finally get to experience some snow. Winter should be … [Read more...] about Top 10 early years winter activities
Is exclusion for negative behaviour a step too far?
Should children be excluded as a form of punishment? Reports of children being excluded from their Primary schools, and even some nursery settings, for negative behaviour are slowly increasing. However many professionals and parents have slammed this consequence, claiming it as severe and unnecessary. Childcare providers and primary … [Read more...] about Is exclusion for negative behaviour a step too far?
Are scissors too dangerous to be out daily in Early years settings?
Are scissors too dangerous for young children? Recently discussed by some early years practitioners was the use of scissors in early years settings and whether they pose too much of a risk to children. It was discussed that plastic blade scissors should be used or regular scissors only during adult lead, close supervision activities where they … [Read more...] about Are scissors too dangerous to be out daily in Early years settings?
Straw blowing pictures
This a lovely activity for the children to try! Simply drop some splodes of different coloured paint onto a piece of paper and then encourage children to use the straws to blow the paint across the page. This activity will create some fantastic individual and colourful artwork! Follow our hashtag #AfternoonActivityTime to follow all the exciting … [Read more...] about Straw blowing pictures
Ice melting experiment
This is a great and easy to follow experiment to try with the children. All you need is four blocks of ice (these can be made by freezing a small cup of water), salt, sand and sugar. Talk to the children about which material will melt the ice the quickest then take turns to add salt, sand and sugar to each block of ice, leaving one block to melt on … [Read more...] about Ice melting experiment