Estyn inspect quality and standards in a range of schools, settings and educational establishments including non-maintained settings that receive funding from local authorities to deliver nursery education.
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Physical activity is an essential part of children's development, helping to build strength, coordination, balance and confidence while promoting a healthy lifestyle. These simple beanbag activities encourage active play through fun, engaging experiences.
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Child-initiated play is an essential part of early years practice, allowing children to explore, make choices, develop independence and follow their own interests. Practitioners play a key role in creating an environment where children feel confident to investigate, be creative and learn through meaningful experiences. Here are our top tips for facilitating effective, child initiated play.
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Outdoor play provides children with opportunities to use their energy as they run, climb, play, and explore. To support the body's natural rhythm of activity and rest, the outdoor environment should also include quiet spaces where children can relax, recharge, reflect, and observe the natural world, enjoying peaceful moments that promote their emotional well-being and self-regulation.
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Children under the age of five are the group most at risk of accidents in the home. Our top tips will help you to promote the importance of creating a safe home environment with parents and families.
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As digital technology becomes an increasingly common part of children's lives, it is important that early years providers take a balanced and thoughtful approach to screen use.
Read morePromote imaginative and outdoor play with a Nature Rangers-themed role play area. Children can search for natural treasures, care for wildlife and discover the wonders of the natural world through exciting adventures.
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Opportunities to take managed risks are an important part of children's learning and development, helping them to build confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills, physical competence and an understanding of how to keep themselves safe.
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Creating a genuinely inclusive team doesn’t just happen. It requires nursery leaders to look honestly at the culture they are building, not only policies in the file, but the everyday moments that let each member of the team know they are valued and belong. The following tips are starting points for reflection and action.
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This July, we mark Disability Pride Month with a simple, sensory printing activity using paint and paper. Children make prints with their hands, feet, elbows, fingers, fists, feet, knees, choosing for themselves how their body meets the page. The resulting display celebrates the fact that there is no single right way for a body to work and that every child’s way is worth celebrating.
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