Blog Tag: early years

Birth to Five Matters: what is it?

Kids playing on floor with developmental toys in kindergarten. Children have fun in nursery or daycare. Babies with teacher in creche

What is Birth to Five Matters? According to Nancy Stewart – Early Years consultant, Project Lead for Birth to Five Matters – Birth to Five Matters is a tool to help early years practitioners in England bring the EYFS to life in their settings. It has been created with the sole purpose of supporting practitioners… Continue reading Birth to Five Matters: what is it?

Woodwork in early years

There is something really special about woodwork in early years. It is so different from other activities. The smell and feel of wood, using real tools, working with a natural material, the sounds of hammering and sawing, hands and minds working together to express their imagination and to solve problems, the use of strength and… Continue reading Woodwork in early years

Animals and pets at nursery

They say never work with children and animals, but as we know, working with children is hugely rewarding – so how can a nursery integrate animals and keep nursery pets in its provision? While most early years settings will have toy animals there’s no substitute for the real thing. Interacting with and learning about live… Continue reading Animals and pets at nursery

NDNA interviews Tanishq Sheikh

Tanishq Sheikh is an Early Years Trainer working in partnership with NDNA International to support nurseries outside of the UK. In this interview, Tanishq speaks to our NDNA International Early Years Adviser, about the childcare sector in India. How does your work support nurseries in India? I support nurseries in India by designing a curriculum… Continue reading NDNA interviews Tanishq Sheikh

Learning through play in early years

Baby Boy And Girl Playing With Toys In Playroom Together

Best practice in early years encourages a play-based curriculum coupled with practitioners who hold a full understanding of the pedagogy of play and the different techniques and methods for teaching children through play. A range of research tells us that children learn best through play too and there are a number of play theorists that… Continue reading Learning through play in early years

Setting up a nursery forest school

Early years consultant and qualified forest school leader, Tricia Pillay, explores how you can introduce a forest school to your nursery. Once you have the basics in place for an early years forest school, you will soon notice your children increasing in confidence, developing a ‘have a go’ attitude and persevering when they encounter problems.… Continue reading Setting up a nursery forest school

Ofsted early years inspection: what you need to know

Babies with teachers playing with developmental toys in nursery

What documents does Ofsted need at your inspection? And how can you demonstrate high-quality practice? Worry not! Our Early Years Adviser will answer all your questions about Ofsted inspections at nurseries in this blog post. What documentation will Ofsted ask to see during your nursery inspection? A full list of documents that the inspector will… Continue reading Ofsted early years inspection: what you need to know

Nursery Ofsted inspections

What happens during nursery Ofsted inspections? What does Ofsted want to see when inspecting your nursery? And just how much paperwork should you be doing?  The paperwork myth There are so many myths about the paperwork that nurseries are expected to have “for Ofsted”. Ofsted is actually now much clearer about what it is they… Continue reading Nursery Ofsted inspections

Early years parent partnerships: developing positive relationships with parents

With each new term, comes a new cohort of babies and children joining your nursery – now is an ideal time to reflect on parent partnerships. Parents and carers are the most significant influence on their child’s development in the early years and studies show that the quality of the home learning environment has a… Continue reading Early years parent partnerships: developing positive relationships with parents

Managing snack times at nursery

For young children, snack times at nursery should be about so much more than just eating. Early years consultant, Tricia Pillay, explores the wonderful opportunities snack time can present. Snack times at nursery that are well prepared for and well managed can support children’s learning and development in many ways. It’s a great opportunity for… Continue reading Managing snack times at nursery

Life as a nursery & early years apprentice

Little boy in nursery showing his teacher the cereal box car he has made.

Apprenticeships are a great way for young people wanting to work in early years and childcare to build and develop their skills and knowledge and open the door to a rewarding career. How can I qualify to become an early years practitioner? Most childcare qualifications can be gained while you work in a setting. Apprenticeships… Continue reading Life as a nursery & early years apprentice