Should children be given responsibilities in the early years? Many practitioners in the early years, as well as many teachers in schools, use classroom helper systems such as these super hero classroom helper jobs. These give particular responsibilities to particular children either for the day of the week. The question still remains as to … [Read more...] about Giving children responsibility in the Early Years
Learning and Development
Is EAL language support confused with cultural diversity in childcare?
Why supporting EAL is not all about cultural diversity Many practitioners will have some experience of working with children who have English as an Additional Language and can offer strategies on how to support them; however there is much dispute on the value of support offered to bilingual children in the Early Years. The most common strategies … [Read more...] about Is EAL language support confused with cultural diversity in childcare?
Too much paperwork for childcare practitioners
Paperwork is causing early years practitioners to lose sight of the framework As you know, early years settings follow the early year's foundation stage. The foundation stage offers various documents to support practitioners and managers and importantly to support the children. The two main supporting documents are the statutory framework and … [Read more...] about Too much paperwork for childcare practitioners
What are the Characteristics of Effective Learning?
The characteristics of effective learning and the under 2’s The characteristics of effective learning are a key element in the early year’s foundation stage. They detail the ways in which children should be learning from their environment, experiences and activities. Children up to the age of five should all be displaying the characteristics of … [Read more...] about What are the Characteristics of Effective Learning?
Using E-Learning Journals to track children’s development
Are using E-Learning journals an easy tool to help track children's development? Tracking children's development is highly important regarding identifying children's level of progress and attainment levels. It is essential that practitioners are given easy tools to help them when tracking children's development. Often many practitioners are … [Read more...] about Using E-Learning Journals to track children’s development
Overcoming Parent in Partnership Barriers
Overcoming the barriers faced in parent partnerships Creating strong parent partnerships has always been an incredibly important aspect of the early year's foundation stage and a central aspect of ensuring a child can reach their full potential. However, parents are becoming increasingly busier with often both parents working so these … [Read more...] about Overcoming Parent in Partnership Barriers
Online Observation and Assessment System at Busy Bees Day Nurseries
iConnect and ParentZone at Busy Bees Busy Bees Day Nurseries have introduced an online observation and assessment system that allows staff and parents to work even more closely together in supporting the individual learning and development needs of all children within the settings that make use of this system. Observations are recorded at … [Read more...] about Online Observation and Assessment System at Busy Bees Day Nurseries
Should children be taught to write letters?
Let's take a look at the stages children go through when learning to write Always a hot topic and highly debated among those who work in the early years is whether or not children should be taught to form letters and words during their time in early years settings. Many argue that this can, in fact, hinder a child’s development in the long … [Read more...] about Should children be taught to write letters?
5 ways to reuse a cardboard box
5 easy ways to use a cardboard box in play Cardboard boxes are a great open ended resource that can be easily sourced and are usually free of charge. Children often love exploring an empty cardboard box and will spend hours using their imagination. Here are 5 easy ways to adapt a cardboard box in play Role play setting Large cardboard boxes … [Read more...] about 5 ways to reuse a cardboard box
Are stickers really the right reward to use?
Why early years settings shouldn’t use stickers Many early years settings and nursery practitioners choose to use stickers to reward children through the day for desired behaviour. Stickers are support to work as an aid in positive reinforcement which can be seen as highly effective when looking back at childcare theories. Positive reinforcement … [Read more...] about Are stickers really the right reward to use?