The importance of interacting with babies It’s most people’s natural response when they see a baby to ‘coo’ and to smile and to talk in that lovely high pitched voice we don’t even realise that we do! Reassuringly, interaction with babies, even this subconscious reaction is fantastic for their development and is highly encouraged. We are all … [Read more...] about Why interacting with babies is so important
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Impress Ofsted with your early years construction area
Why should I have a construction area in my early years room? The early years foundation stage refers to construction in many of its 7 areas including physical, mathematics and expressive arts and design. A construction area allows children to play, explore, actively learn, create and critically think all things which are crucial to a … [Read more...] about Impress Ofsted with your early years construction area
How we are still getting British Values wrong
Why so many settings are getting it wrong Ofsted have placed a high importance on ensuring all early years settings are promoting British Values, yet very few practitioners and managers really understand the true concept of these. Many early years practitioners think about British values and what being British means to them and in return the … [Read more...] about How we are still getting British Values wrong
New book to help parents choosing a nursery
New book launched to help parents “The Definitive Guide to Choosing a nursery” Education Consultant Jane Smalley has launched a new guide that will help parents when choosing a nursery for their child. “The Definitive Guide to Choosing a Nursery” is available on Amazon. The books provides parents with advice on what to look for when visiting a … [Read more...] about New book to help parents choosing a nursery
Strategies to support Communication and Language in the early years
Why use these strategies in the early years? Many children face communication and language difficulties at some point in the early years. The earlier practitioners intervene and offer support the better the outcomes for the child. These strategies are not just useful for children who are experiencing difficulties but are important for all … [Read more...] about Strategies to support Communication and Language in the early years
Impress Ofsted with your early years mark making area
Do I need a mark making area? Within the early years foundation stage there are many hints and pieces of advice which suggest a mark making area iS beneficial for children of all ages. Mark making leads to early writing skills and gives children the confidence they need be able to express themselves through marks and pictures. For an early … [Read more...] about Impress Ofsted with your early years mark making area
How to promote problem solving in the early years
Ways to incorporate problem solving in the Early Years Developing problem solving skills is an area of development early years’ practitioners are familiar with, and the importance of developing these problem solving skills is well known, but what exactly are problem solving skills? And how do we encourage children to develop these? Within … [Read more...] about How to promote problem solving in the early years
Helping children to settle into nursery
Starting a new Nursery This can be a difficult time not only for children but for parents as well. Some children settle straight into the new routine and environment whereas some others take a little longer. This can be true regardless of the age of the child but luckily there are some simple steps that can be taken to aid the transition … [Read more...] about Helping children to settle into nursery
Top five tips on being an effective key person
Why being an effective key person is important The key person is at the heart of the early years foundation stage and is a statutory requirement. Many theorists have completed research into the importance of the key person, and the results all show how necessary it is for children to have an attachment figure. The key person can be anyone … [Read more...] about Top five tips on being an effective key person
Why such a high emphasis on healthy eating?
Why healthy eating is so important The new Ofsted framework places a high emphasis on early years settings and schools to promote healthy eating, with the outcome stating children should have knowledge of how to eat healthy. One way you can give children the knowledge they need as well as develop in all areas of the early years foundation stage is … [Read more...] about Why such a high emphasis on healthy eating?