Find out about the importance of good oral health in early years, as well as how to support it in your setting. Looking after children’s teeth is essential for keeping their whole bodies healthy. Creating good oral health habits early is essential to preventing and controlling tooth decay. Tooth decay is largely preventable but is… Continue reading Oral health in early years: Healthy mouths, healthy children
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in early years
Find out what FGM is, why it happens and what to do if any children in your early years setting are affected. What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)? FGM is a collective term for procedures that include the removal or partial removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical purposes. It is sometimes referred to… Continue reading Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in early years
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
Let’s get growing: Early years gardening activity
The focus for National Gardening Week (24 May – 1 June) is on new and beginner gardeners. Develop children’s curiosity and wonder for planting and gardening with our early years gardening activity. Early years gardening activity learning aims This early years activity will help children to: • Develop fine motor skills• Practice mathematical language, comparisons,… Continue reading Let’s get growing: Early years gardening activity
Effective teaching in early years
Find out what makes effective teaching in early years. Early years practitioners teach children every day. Teaching includes the many different ways in which adults help children to learn. There are many different ways practitioners help children learn. This could be in a large group, a small group or on a one to one basis.… Continue reading Effective teaching in early years
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
Early years activity: Big brush outdoor art
This activity invites children to explore painting in a playful and physical way. Using a variety of tools and coloured paints, children can experiment with different movements and techniques, as they dip, swipe, stamp, and splatter, to build coordination, strengthen muscles and express themselves creatively. Learning aims Resources Big brush outdoor art activity guide Set… Continue reading Early years activity: Big brush outdoor art
Contemplating the sale of your nursery business? Here’s what you need to consider.
By Courteney Donaldson, Managing Director – Childcare & Education, Christie & Co Owning and operating a day nursery business can be incredibly rewarding. Equally, though, there are times when it can be challenging, and you may wish to sell. In this article, Courteney Donaldson, Managing Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, shares… Continue reading Contemplating the sale of your nursery business? Here’s what you need to consider.
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
Nurturing children’s emotional well-being
Discover the key aspects of nurturing children’s emotional well-being as well as strategies to support children in the early years to develop resilience and happiness. Well-being is at the core of the early years and vital for all areas of learning. Increasing levels of well-being in the first five years of a child’s life is… Continue reading Nurturing children’s emotional well-being
Dancing around the world: Cultural dance activities for early years
International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance. People everywhere use dance to express themselves, tell stories and to simply have fun. This cultural dance activity will take you on a magical dance journey to explore and celebrate how people move and dance in different parts of the world. Learning aims Resources you will… Continue reading Dancing around the world: Cultural dance activities for early years
The Building Blocks of Reading: Why phonics is only part of the story
How do children learn to read? How children learn to read has fascinated people for generations. The truth is, there’s no single formula, Research has not reached any definitive conclusions. All we know is that every child’s journey into literacy is slightly or vastly different, shaped by their experiences, environment, and developing skills. What we… Continue reading The Building Blocks of Reading: Why phonics is only part of the story
Top tips: Building resilience
Resilience is a person’s ability to adapt, recover and thrive in the face of challenges and setbacks. Investing in children’s resilience will support their confidence, health, and well-being now and in the future. Take a look at our top tips for building resilience in young children. Top tips for building resilience NDNA products to support… Continue reading Top tips: Building resilience
Early years activity: Naming emotions
The ability to identify and name emotions supports children to develop their self-regulation skills and build strong social relationships and a positive sense of themselves. Learning aims Resources you will need Naming emotions activity guide How you can extend this naming emotions activity Read ‘The Colour Monster’ story book to the children and talk about… Continue reading Early years activity: Naming emotions
Nursery leaders and nursery managers: what’s the difference?
Explore the difference between nursery leaders and nursery managers and understand the vital role each plays in making a fantastic early years setting. Effective leadership and management skills are vital to providing high-quality childcare. Crucially, inspectors will make a judgement on how effectively these skills are put into practice for the benefit of the children. … Continue reading Nursery leaders and nursery managers: what’s the difference?
Early years activity: Easter bunny obstacle course
Easter is a time for fun, movement, and imagination. This exciting Easter bunny obstacle course is a great way for young children to celebrate while developing their gross motor skills, coordination, and teamwork. Through hopping, crawling, and balancing, children will take on the role of the Easter bunny, collecting eggs along the way. Learning aims… Continue reading Early years activity: Easter bunny obstacle course
Top tips: Promoting healthy eating with parents
Nurseries play a vital role in shaping children’s eating habits and encouraging a positive approach to food. By working in partnership with parents, you can help create a consistent message about healthy eating both in the setting and at home. Top tips for promoting healthy eating with parents NDNA products to support you with this… Continue reading Top tips: Promoting healthy eating with parents
NDNA comments on BBC programme How Safe Are Our Nurseries?
NDNA’s Executive Chair Purnima Tanuku CBE said: “The case around the tragic death of Genevieve Meehan at nursery was a truly shocking incident. These cases are extremely rare but for those affected, one case is too many. Her parents, who have been through the worst imaginable experience for any family, are showing great courage in… Continue reading NDNA comments on BBC programme How Safe Are Our Nurseries?
Nursery packed lunches: things to consider
Nursery packed lunches requires careful thought to ensure meals are safe, nutritious, and enjoyable. The following key considerations will help create a positive and supportive mealtime experience for every child in your nursery. Share your expectations with parents through your Nutrition and Mealtimes Policy. Where to store nursery packed lunches Ensure you provide a designated… Continue reading Nursery packed lunches: things to consider
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