Mark making is the foundation of early writing, creativity and communication – and it should be happening everywhere, every day. As leaders, it’s our job to inspire our teams to create rich environments and champion mark making across the whole provision – indoors and out. Here are our top tips put mark making at the… Continue reading Embedding mark making across your provision
Blog Tag: Tips
Top tips: Managing local outings
Local outings enrich learning by helping children explore their community, develop social skills, and build confidence. They encourage physical activity, language growth and real-world understanding while making learning fun and memorable. Here are some tips for managing local outings. NDNA products to support you with this tip Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk… Continue reading Top tips: Managing local outings
Family voices, stronger nurseries: Tips for parent surveys
Parent feedback is a vital tool in improving practice, strengthening partnerships and ensuring our children’s needs are fully met. Whether you are reviewing your curriculum, planning an event, or simply want to get to know your families better, an effective survey helps give a voice to those that matter. These top tips for parent surveys… Continue reading Family voices, stronger nurseries: Tips for parent surveys
Top tips: Hot weather safety in nursery
While hot weather can impact everyone, young children are especially at risk as they are less able to regulate their body temperature than adults. In warm conditions, it’s crucial for nursery settings to take extra precautions to keep children safe, cool and comfortable. Use these tips to help keep children happy, healthy and protected during… Continue reading Top tips: Hot weather safety in nursery
10 tips for supporting early years children with allergies
Allergies affect millions of people in the UK, with some allergies causing severe reactions. Ensuring all of your staff are aware of your allergy policy and procedures is essential to keep children safe. Use our top tips for reviewing your practice. NDNA products to support
Transition to school
Moving from nursery to school is a significant milestone for young children. Every child experiences this transition differently, so it’s important to observe and respond to their emotions, acknowledging their individual needs. Offering personalised support can help make the process smoother and more positive. Here are some helpful tips to guide the transition. NDNA products… Continue reading Transition to school
Top tips: Messy moments
Messy play should be considered an essential part of early childhood. When children’s curiosity is invited and encouraged and if they are given the freedom to explore and discover, then play can certainly get messy. Embracing messy play offers a chance to foster a fun, inclusive, learning environment with the opportunity to engage with different… Continue reading Top tips: Messy moments
Top tips: Differentiation for children with SEND
Providing equality of opportunity for all children, may incorporate differentiating aspects of your curriculum or provision to provide meaningful learning opportunities for children with SEND. Review our top tips on differentiation against your own daily practice. Top tips for differentiation for children with SEND NDNA products to support you with this tip Disclaimer: Activities with… Continue reading Top tips: Differentiation for children with SEND
Employment tribunals and early years: what you need to know
Running an early years’ business means you’ve already got plenty on your plate – from supporting children to managing day-to-day operations, dealing with an employment tribunal is likely the last thing you want to think about. But with 97,000 claims made in 2023/24 – and the highest award reaching £995,000 – it’s an issue that’s… Continue reading Employment tribunals and early years: what you need to know
Top tips: Supporting children with their communication and language
A well designed environment promotes social interaction, removes communication barriers and builds essential learning skills. Prioritising positive communication spaces ensures every child thrives, regardless of ability or background. Language and communication skills grow best with rich exposure to sounds, sights, speech and daily interactions with others. Explore our top tips and reflect on your daily… Continue reading Top tips: Supporting children with their communication and language
Top tips – Safe bites: food safety essentials
Ensuring food safety is a key factor in safeguarding children’s health and well-being. Here are some practical, easy to follow tips designed to help you effectively manage food safety and create a secure, hygienic environment for everyone. Top tips for food safety NDNA products to support you with this tip Food Safety and Hygiene –… Continue reading Top tips – Safe bites: food safety essentials
Top tips: parental involvement in early years activities at home
There is an abundance of research that demonstrates the importance of parents and carers in a child’s life, and the significant impact that parental involvement in children’s education has on their learning, with positive effects that last into adulthood. Read our top tips to ensure you create supportive strategies for home learning opportunities to all… Continue reading Top tips: parental involvement in early years activities at home
Top tips: Developing gross motor skills outside
Supporting young children’s gross motor development is a vital part of early years practice, and the outdoor environment offers the perfect space for movement, exploration, and physical challenge. These tips are designed to help you lead, inspire and equip your teams to confidently provide opportunities for children to develop these skills. Top tips for developing… Continue reading Top tips: Developing gross motor skills outside
Supporting staff well-being in early years settings
Educating and caring for young children is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. However, it can also be challenging and tiring for practitioners in the sector. In the same way we show care and kindness to the children in our setting, we can take care of our staff and support their overall well-being… Continue reading Supporting staff well-being in early years settings
Top tips: Easy outdoor activities for families this spring
Spring is a wonderous time to get outside and appreciate the magnificent world around us. Encouraging parents to embrace the outdoors at this time of year can have many benefits, including: What can we do outdoors? NDNA products related to these tips PANCo – https://ndna.org.uk/panco/ Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including… Continue reading Top tips: Easy outdoor activities for families this spring
Top tips: Embedding other cultures in your setting
Inclusion means that all children feel seen, heard and valued in their setting. Embedding a variety of cultures into your practice improves their sense of self and supports positive mental health. Here are some top tips to embed all cultures into your setting: Looking for ways to embed diverse cultures into your nursery setting? Our… Continue reading Top tips: Embedding other cultures in your setting