Early Years - Teaching Expertise

Marketing a nursery is more than advertising and promotion. Marketing covers other activities, including the development of the nursery, market research and what prices should be charged. Whether your nursery is at the planning stage or is an existing business, you will still have to think about marketing. Joanne Taylor talks us through. read more

Angela Youngman talked with Justine O’Driscoll of the Bedford Just Learning Nursery about making computers accessible for children in the early years. read more

Dr Alison J Price of Oxford Brookes University explains why understanding the relationship between numbers, and the connections between calculations, is an important part of developing mathematical awareness, and how this can influence delivery of the curriculum. read more

Communication is by its very nature a two-way process. Children need to have these skills if they are to particpate in shared and meaningful communications. In this Inset package, based on the need for effective communication and engagement as described in the Common Core, Roger Hurn provides information and activities to help your staff think about ways of helping children to practise and develop their communication skills.

How much does food affect young children’s behaviour? Mary Whiting reveals some research-based facts and offers some tips

Leonora Davies, chair of the Music Education Council, talks to Nick Smurthwaite about the vital role of music and movement in early years development. read more

John Cousins is a primary mental health worker, supporting children and their families. He explains what we mean by ‘transitions’ and how they can affect the child

In her second article on training, Sally Eaton looks at some everyday opportunities. read more

Attachment theory is explored here by Steve Mynard, who summarises some of the research and suggests ways that you could use this in your setting

Margaret Collins looks at ways to raise children’s awareness of sun protection. read more

EYU reviews a new report calling for increased government spending to bring about a childcare system that combines quality, affordability and appropriateness for all children

Children’s therapist John Cousins examines the concept of self-esteem, which is integral to a child reaching Early Learning Goals in the PSE area of learning

A quality assurance scheme is an ideal way to help you improve the care you offer children and families: What is involved? Hayley Doyle of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) explains. read more

The Effective Early Learning (EEL) Project, aims to improve the quality of children’s learning in early years settings. Pauline Cox explains the project’s aims. read more

Pauline Cox explains what was involved in taking part in the Effective Early Learning (EEL) Project

Margaret Collins explores ways in which we can help children to think about their responses and their reactions

How do you get more men into childcare? Angela Youngman investigates some initiatives designed to involve men in careers with young children

Petra Luck describes the benefits of learning alongside colleagues from around Europe. read more

Pat Lee begins her series on developing music within the Foundation Stage by looking at using music to enhance children’s social and emotional development

The government’s 10-year strategy for childcare, Choice for parents, the best start for children, promised to establish a single coherent development and learning framework for all young children from birth to the age of five. The DfES is currently consulting on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which provides that framework. read more

Angela Youngman finds out about a scheme to improve communication in early years settings through the use of sign language

This seasonal assembly for infants looks at the carol service or carol concert – an annual fixture in many schools

Use all the openings possible to encourage your children to express themselves through the written word, says Lynn Cousins. read more

As the Rose review of the teaching of early reading continues, primary SENCOs will be interested in the latest research findings contributing to the debate on the merits of synthetic phonics teaching

Helen Hann considers how we can support children in the learning of maths from early years, by nurturing their emerging mathematical concepts and understanding

Small children can get quite noisy and frenetic. It can take time to calm them down. Angela Youngman investigated one very popular method – to teach the children to give and receive simple massage. read more

The interim results of a pioneering study involving 60 toddlers in Durham have provided impressive evidence of the effects of omega-3 oil on children’s learning abilities. read more

Carole Farrar, an experienced early years headteacher, takes you through the process of appointing new staff members

What are our responsibilities when asked to give medicine to children? Mary Mahoney examines this issue, with a focus on working with younger children

Archaeologist and teacher John Crossland, describes how you can use an historic site with Foundation Stage children. read more

Help children to understand what risk actually is and the part they can play in minimising risk and doing things safely. Margaret Collins describes how children can learn to be risk assessors at school

Sally Eaton examines the benefits of CPD and the line manager’s role in implementing it. read more

British Gymnastics’ play programme helps young children develop physical skills. Jo Prescott and Liz Liebman explain how