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
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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
NDNA meet Aga Khan Early Learning Centre
Kelli Allen from Dubai’s Aga Khan Early Learning Centre, winner of NDNA International Nursery of the Year 2018, sat down with our NDNA International Early Years Adviser, to discuss working in an overseas nursery, the EYFS and NDNA membership. What attracted you to work at Aga Khan Early Learning Centre in Dubai? Whilst doing some… Continue reading NDNA meet Aga Khan Early Learning Centre
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
Food allergies at nursery
With almost 1 in 12 children in the UK suffering from a food allergy, how can you be sure you are doing everything you can to accommodate food allergies at nursery? What is the best way to care for children with food allergies at nursery? How can you manage the juggling act of multiple allergies… Continue reading Food allergies at nursery
Learning through play in early years
Why play matters For young children, play isn’t a break from learning, it is learning. Through play, children test ideas, practise new skills and new words, develop friendships, take risks, and generally make sense of the world. Neuroscience research tells us that when children are curious, joyful, and active, their brains form stronger connections. Play… 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
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
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
Prime Minister visits Monkey Puzzle Nursery
Hear from the Owner of Monkey Puzzle Greenford, John Gill, about when the PM came to visit for a coffee. Why did the Prime Minister visit Monkey Puzzle Nursery? 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 Prime Minister visits Monkey Puzzle Nursery
Mindfulness in nurseries & early years settings
Mindfulness in nurseries is a way of children bringing attention to the present moment, creating a calming effect; evidence shows it can help with anxiety and depression. What role should a nursery play in teaching children about mindfulness? And what are the practicalities and how can you go about introducing it? Why is teaching mindfulness… Continue reading Mindfulness in nurseries & early years settings
Child of the North report: Inequalities have worsened during pandemic
A report published today by the Northern Health Science Alliance, Child of the North: Building a fairer future after Covid-19 paints a stark picture caused by chronic underfunding in the North of England. Inequalities which existed before Covid have deepened, with children in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber being disproportionately affected. They now… Continue reading Child of the North report: Inequalities have worsened during pandemic
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 early years interviews and inductions. Preparing for an early years interview There are a number of things that you will definitely need to think about before going into an early years interview:… Continue reading Childcare and early years interviews and inductions
Free myNDNA factsheet
Improve your practice with your free factsheet below. NDNA members receive 99+ free factsheets with an NDNA membership.
Promoting Positive Behaviour Quiz
Test your knowledge with our online Promoting Positive Behaviour quiz or download a pdf version to use in staff meetings below. For more support, access our ‘Promoting Positive Behaviour’ online course and ‘Promoting Positive Behaviour’ factsheet for nurseries. You can also download and share our free parent factsheet ‘A guide to Promoting Positive Behaviour’.
Safeguarding quiz
Test your knowledge with our online NDNA safeguarding quiz for early years providers or download a pdf version to use it in staff meetings below.