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
Blog Tag: early years
Love pedagogy: Love-led practice in the early years
As an early years practitioner, would you use the word love when talking about your profession? If not, why not? Jane Malcolm (MPhil) NDNA Scotland Policy Manager, discusses love pedagogy, why the word ‘love’ is avoided in childcare and how you should embrace it as part of your professional identity. Why are we afraid of… Continue reading Love pedagogy: Love-led practice in the 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 pets into 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 animals allows… Continue reading Animals and pets at nursery
Autism Spectrum Disorder in early years
The first signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be diagnosed in nursery-aged children. But what is ASD, and how can you support children at your nursery. Here, Jennifer Warwick, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, breaks it down for you. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? In order to receive a diagnosis of ASD, a child… Continue reading Autism Spectrum Disorder in early years
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
When should nurseries exclude children for sickness?
With cold and flu season peaking in winter, Julia Sudbury of Cambridge Early Years takes a look at when nurseries should exclude children for sickness. It’s a fact of life that nurseries and childcare settings are common sites for the transmission of illness and infection. But when is reasonable for you to exclude children from… Continue reading When should nurseries exclude children for sickness?
Early years science and outdoor play
What better place to explore science in early years, than outdoors where you can really bring learning to life. Early years consultant and qualified forest school leader, Tricia Pillay, explores some of the ways in which you can explore science outdoors at your nursery. Firstly, what is a scientific study? In a scientific study, we… Continue reading Early years science and outdoor play
New courses: Learning through play
NDNA, in partnership with CACHE, has created new courses that can help you to unlock children’s development and learning through play. We have developed new training courses to enhance and refresh your skills and knowledge of how children learn through play. The first two courses will help you to understand the theories behind childcare practice,… Continue reading New courses: Learning through play
Setting up a nursery forest school
There are few areas of early years practice as rewarding as setting up a forest school for the children in your care. Early years consultant and qualified forest school leader, Tricia Pillay, explores how you can introduce a forest school to your setting. Once you have the basics in place for a forest school at… Continue reading Setting up a nursery forest school
Ofsted early years inspection: what you need to know
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
Planning for an Ofsted inspection
What does Ofsted want to see when inspecting your nursery? And just how much paperwork should you be doing? NDNA Associate and Freelance Early Childhood Consultant Sue Asquith takes a look. The paperwork myth There are so many myths about the paperwork that you are expected to have “for Ofsted”. Ofsted is actually now much… Continue reading Planning for an Ofsted inspection
Developing positive relationships with parents
With a new term around the corner – and a new cohort of babies and children likely to be joining your setting – now is an ideal time to reflect on your relationships with parents Parents and carers are the most significant influence on their child’s development and studies show that the quality of the… Continue reading 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
Supporting staff well-being in early years
Work plays a strong role in our mental health and well-being but can also make us unwell. Deborah Somerset, has some top tips for you to support your nursery team and colleagues. According to the World Health Organisation, mental health is: “a state of well-being, in which every individual realises his or her own potential,… Continue reading Supporting staff well-being in early years
How the PM came for coffee at Monkey Puzzle Nursery
Hear from the Owner of Monkey Puzzle Greenford, John Gill, about when the PM came to visit for a coffee. How did you get a visit from the PM? We have another nursery in Uxbridge and the Prime Minister is our MP there. I previously had interactions with him as London mayor in my other… Continue reading How the PM came for coffee at Monkey Puzzle Nursery
Childcare and early years interviews and inductions
Starting a new role can be a nerve-wracking prospect. This blog post has a few handy tips and tricks to prepare you for interviews and inductions in early years and childcare. Preparing for an interview There are a number of things that you will definitely need to think about before going into an interview: Research… Continue reading Childcare and early years interviews and inductions
Reducing plastic waste and single-use plastic at nursery
Plastic, plastic everywhere… early childhood consultant Sue Asquith takes a look at ways you can reduce single-use plastic and plastic waste at your childcare setting. The (BIG) plastic problem Everyone has heard of the 2018 BBC documentary Blue Planet 2, and how it showed the devastating and increasing impact of plastics on our planet, right?… Continue reading Reducing plastic waste and single-use plastic at nursery
Life as a nursery & early years apprentice
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
Helping nursery children adjust to a new sibling
Having a new sibling is a big change in a toddler’s life, so they will need you to be sensitive, supportive and understanding whilst they come to terms with it. Children going through the transition may feel anxiety, sadness, anger, disorientation or excitement. You should work with your nursery children and their families to provide… Continue reading Helping nursery children adjust to a new sibling
Your guide to a career in childcare & early years
Find out all you need to know about a career in childcare. The importance of high-quality childcare From the moment children are born, they are constantly learning about themselves and the world around them. If you have that natural love and fondness for every little aspect of curious children then you’ll find that this is… Continue reading Your guide to a career in childcare & early years