Should children be encouraged to use guns or weapons in their pretend play? Play guns have always caused a stir amongst Early Years providers, with many debating the positives and negatives of encouraging imaginative play using weapons. Most children, especially boys, will go through a stage of pretending to use guns or weapons in their play, … [Read more...] about Should children pretend play with guns?
Families on National Living Wage struggle with childcare costs
Couples that work full time and are paid the National Living Wage of £7.20 are unable to enjoy a basic life due to high childcare costs Research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation states that many low earning, working families are falling below the poverty line because of high childcare costs. The Minimum Income Standard research, carried … [Read more...] about Families on National Living Wage struggle with childcare costs
How will Brexit impact on the next generation?
How will Early Years providers and children in the UK be affected by Brexit? On 23rd June 2016 the country was divided with 52% of voters winning the decision for the United Kingdom to leave the EU. Brexit has made history but how will this decision impact on the Early Years sector and most importantly, the children? Equality and … [Read more...] about How will Brexit impact on the next generation?
Creating an outdoor classroom
An outdoor classroom is a valuable resource and can provide a range of benefits to the children's development. The outdoor classroom is a crucial learning environment, enabling some learning to take place that simply does not inside. It is a good idea to allow free flow from the indoors to the outside environment for the children to access; this … [Read more...] about Creating an outdoor classroom
Top 5 outdoor summer activities
5 great activities to do outside this summer! Summer is a lovely time to work in childcare, with lots of fun to be had in your outdoor environment in the great weather. It is a great opportunity for the children to get messy and explore activities on a larger scale, whilst building on all areas of development. Here are 5 lovely activities … [Read more...] about Top 5 outdoor summer activities
8 great activities to promote shape and measure
Shape and measure is an important aspect of mathematical development. Children need to learn about shapes in their environment and the concept of measure in order to gain spatial awareness and mathematical understanding. Here are 8 easy to do activities to promote shape and measure Shape hunt in the environment - Children are natural … [Read more...] about 8 great activities to promote shape and measure
Dealing with safeguarding concerns
How can you deal with safeguarding concerns? Safeguarding the children is the most important thing in childcare. Before their learning and development, protecting them from potential harm is the primary concern for all settings. Children are unable to protect themselves and rely on adults to care for them. This places a responsibility on all … [Read more...] about Dealing with safeguarding concerns
9 steps for effective leadership
9 ways to promote good leadership in your setting Leadership and management is an important part of the EYFS and also a vital section of an Ofsted inspection. Great leadership skills can heavily influence the overall running of a setting and the morale of the staff team. Here are 9 ways to promote effective leadership. Consistency It is … [Read more...] about 9 steps for effective leadership
4 steps in tackling disruptive behaviour
"You can't teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better they will behave better" Pam Leo, Connection Parenting All children will go through periods of disruptive behaviour, however the more often the behaviour occurs the more likely the child will be labelled as "naughty" or "disruptive." It is … [Read more...] about 4 steps in tackling disruptive behaviour
Top 5 reasons practitioners leave childcare
Childcare can be a rewarding yet demanding career, however more and more professionals are getting out. Here are the 5 top reasons practitioners leave childcare. Paperwork The strain of never ending paperwork is beginning to take its toll on Early Years practitioners. The introduction of the revised EYFS intended to minimise the load however … [Read more...] about Top 5 reasons practitioners leave childcare