What safeguarding children procedures do you have in place? How robust are your settings safeguarding policies and procedures? Protecting children's welfare is one of Ofsted's top priority. It is clearly stated in the new Common inspection Framework that Ofsted will report on whether or not arrangements for safeguarding children and learners … [Read more...] about Strengthening your approach to safeguarding children
Enabling Environment
Is your painting activity inviting to children?
Ways to make your painting activity inviting To stimulate young children's minds and to keep them engaged, activities need to be inviting and stimulating. Children are more likely to approach an activity if they are drawn into it, using their inquisitive minds. When thinking about presenting an activity think about how this may look to the … [Read more...] about Is your painting activity inviting to children?
Quick and easy ways to promote British Values
10 ways to promote British Values in your childcare settings Promoting British Values in your setting can be easily achieved. If you think about it wisely you are already doing it. Many people have become confused by the whole term British values, thinking this is about teaching the children about the Queen, Big Ben, black taxis, drinking tea … [Read more...] about Quick and easy ways to promote British Values
Ways to promote British Values
Ideas on how to promote British Values in practice Many childcare settings and childminders are becoming increasingly worried about whether they are promoting the British Values correctly in the eyes of Ofsted. When in fact if they are already promoting these within their practice, then everything should be ok. It is down to managers to ensure the … [Read more...] about Ways to promote British Values
Teaching British Values in childcare settings
Embedding the British Values in Practice As we all know childcare settings are now required to actively promote British Values; during an Ofsted inspections settings will be judged on how they are embedding this into everyday practice. Many people were very quick to jump to the conclusion it was about promoting pictures of Big Ben and features of … [Read more...] about Teaching British Values in childcare settings
The benefits of risky play
Should children be exposed to risky play situations? Early Years settings have a responsibility to keep children safe and vigorously risk assess equipment, situations and activities; however can this have an impact on the children’s opportunities to problem solve and self-assess risks? Outdoor play is commonly full of risks, in which the … [Read more...] about The benefits of risky play
How practitioners can support children’s schemas
Ideas on how to support children's schemas As we know schemas are repeated patterns of behaviour and children may display one or more of these schemas at some point in their childhood. It is important that practitioners and childminders identify these and provide the necessary resources to support children's schemas. Childcare settings … [Read more...] about How practitioners can support children’s schemas
Enhancing your EYFS mark making area
Could your mark making area do with a revamp? Do you look at your mark making area and think it needs looking at? Are children spending less time in this area? Making simple but effective changes may make all the difference. Continuously evaluating and enhancing your EYFS mark making area can lead to children building on and learning new … [Read more...] about Enhancing your EYFS mark making area
Ten EYFS storybooks to support children’s schemas
Ever thought of creating story baskets to support children's schemas? How can your setting take children on a journey with their schemas? As children display schemas in their play, it is important to identify these and find other ways of supporting them. Schemas have been around for many years, however these are becoming more recognised due to … [Read more...] about Ten EYFS storybooks to support children’s schemas
Following children’s routines at nursery
Why following children's routines at nursery is important? Before starting nursery some children have a set routine, this is more common in younger children. These routines work well for both child and parent, allowing parents to plan their day. Some children as they get older grow out of their daytime routine but still have a bedtime … [Read more...] about Following children’s routines at nursery