Should early years settings celebrate Halloween? Halloween is something which is often debated in the early years as some have strong beliefs that it should not be celebrated whereas others feel it should be celebrated within settings. There is no right or wrong choice and it is often left down to the individual setting whether they choose to take … [Read more...] about Should Early Years settings celebrate Halloween?
Latest News
Early years are not promoting fine motor skills enough
Children are not developing the fine motor skills they need This was an issue which was highly discussed last year as many primary school teachers found that children were starting reception class without the fine motor skills they needed or should be achieving by that age. This has again been highlighted with many expressing the same … [Read more...] about Early years are not promoting fine motor skills enough
Early Years recruitment crisis
Early years recruitment in crisis Many early years settings feel they are experiencing a recruitment crisis and are finding it increasingly difficult to hire new practitioners. Not only is hiring practitioners becoming difficult for some settings, but also keeping practitioners on the payroll as many are leaving childcare or moving to … [Read more...] about Early Years recruitment crisis
Free funding could lead to an increase for those paying for childcare
Funding could lead to an increase in fees for paying parents The increase to the nursery education funding has been high on the childcare agenda since its proposal was first made. The government have decided to go ahead with the increase in doubling the hours, however there are serious concerns that unless the payments made by local authorities … [Read more...] about Free funding could lead to an increase for those paying for childcare
Attainment gap is still growing
Children from low-income families are still underachieving Recent figures for the Key Stage 1 exams have been released recently, and figures show that despite the funding available for children from low-income families many of them are still not achieving the expect levels of development, and many are falling behind. The figures how shown that … [Read more...] about Attainment gap is still growing
Being a resilient early years leader
Why is becoming a resilient early years leader important Leadership can often be a difficult task and involves inspiring and motivating a team, dealing with unhappy practitioners, conflict, parent complaints and making changes. To do this and achieve your vision for how the early years setting or room should, be a level of resilience needs to … [Read more...] about Being a resilient early years leader
Shadow Education Secretary announces help with rising childcare costs
The Shadow Education Minister 'Anglea Rayner' talks about helping working parents in London with the rising costs of childcare Using her experiences as a teenage mum Shadow Education Minister says "We need a childcare revolution that will help working parents across London". The rising costs of childcare are affecting families, leaving mainly … [Read more...] about Shadow Education Secretary announces help with rising childcare costs
Benefits of an early years apprentice
How can early year’s apprentices benefit your setting? Apprenticeships are becoming a more popular choice both for school leavers and for early year’s providers. Many school leavers find the prospect of earning and learning very appealing and for this reason, choose to find a setting who will take on an apprentice rather than … [Read more...] about Benefits of an early years apprentice
Are you joining in World Smile Day?
Promoting Acts of Kindness through joining in World Smile Day The first Friday in October every year is world smile day, this day promote acts of kindness to make at least one person smile. When the first ever smiley face image was created it was believed that the image of smile held no limitations and boundaries such as political influence, … [Read more...] about Are you joining in World Smile Day?
What you need to know about safeguarding changes
Up to date knowledge of Safeguarding changes As Ofsted will be inspecting how the setting safeguards children and adults, it is imperative that everyone working in childcare especially the manager is aware of the current changes. During an Ofsted inspection, the inspector will use the document, Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, … [Read more...] about What you need to know about safeguarding changes