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 heart of play and learning.
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Mark making starts long before children pick up a pencil – and sand is the perfect sensory surface to explore it. This simple and engaging activity invites curious children to make their mark, build those early writing muscles and express themselves creatively and playfully.
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Explore what empathy is, supporting children to empathise with others and the role of the word ‘sorry’.
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A shape hunt helps children develop mathematical concepts, language and motor skills through playful exploration. As they find and name shapes, they build confidence, problem-solving abilities, and curiosity in a fun, hands-on way.
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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.
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Find out about your key responsibilities to ensure safe recruitment in nurseries, from interviewing staff to inductions.
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Flexible working isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ anymore – it’s an expectation. And for early years settings where recruitment and retention are major challenges, building flexible working into your culture can give you a crucial edge in attracting and keeping great people. But how do you make it work in a busy early years environment?
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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.
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Using available resources and guided questioning, this interactive summer sensory exploration activity encourages curiosity, descriptive language and a focus on sensory awareness. Have fun with the sights, sounds, textures and aromas of summer.
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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 hot weather.
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