Early Years Professional - Teaching Expertise

What help and support we can provide for early years children about to move into key stage 1? Helen MR Hann explores this issue

Steve Mynard explores a process to enrich your children’s language and literacy experiences. read more

Julie Jennings considers how you can go about monitoring the effectiveness of your Foundation Stage team

Half of all primary schools and a third of all secondary schools are due to be open from 8am to 6pm throughout the year by 2008 read more

The Foundation Stage induction process can be supported by existing staff in your setting, as demonstrated at Nottingham University's Day Nursery read more

Julie Jennings considers how to build your Foundation Stage staff into an effective team. read more

Steve Mynard looks at the place of drama in your setting and how existing practice can be enhanced. read more

Assessment is dependent upon our observations of the children. Anne O’Brien, an experienced teacher and headteacher of young children, explores how we can use the observations we have made to inform the next stage of our planning.

Helen MR Hann suggests strategies to help children transfer into the foundation stage. read more

Faye Spalding provides an overview of your responsibilities to your staff. read more

Angela Youngman finds out what is possible if you want to introduce a modern foreign language in your setting. read more

What should be in your early years induction policy and how can you implement it effectively?

In this first of a short series on leadership Julie Jennings, an experienced teacher and educational consultant, looks at what it takes to be a leader at foundation stage

A love of stories is common to all young children, and by telling stories, rather than reading them, a storyteller can really bring the tale to life and make it a more interactive experience for the children. Former headteacher Steve Mynard explains how everyone has the ability to become a storyteller

How do you care for children's emotional health and wellbeing as they enter nursery or playgroup for the first time? Helen M R Hann, an experienced foundation stage teacher, looks at the practical implications

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.

Jane Webb is the support childminder coordinator in Milton Keynes, employed by Milton Keynes Council and working within the childcare team at Galley Hill Education Centre in partnership with the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She recounts how her local authority set up its support childminder scheme. read more

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

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

EYU draws out the key points for early years education and childcare. read more

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

Carole Farrar starts a series on communicating with parents by looking at what makes effective communication. read more

Rob Sanderson of Wigan Schools Library Service offers some practical advice for building an early years library. read more

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

Top tips for surviving your first year at a new school, from teacher Ben Vessey read more

Andy Bowman explores strategies to begin to develop independence and resourcefulness in young learners. read more

Tips to run more efficient and effective meetings. read more

Every child has enormous potential for learning and is capable of progress. If this is not happening, it is most probably because we, the childrens' teachers, have not yet found the right keys to their hearts and minds, writes Eva Hoffman

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

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