How does the EYFS framework fit into an early years setting in reality? How should early years education now move forward? Abigail Steel discusses
How can the process of developing thinking skills be put into practice? A glimpse into the environment within a day nursery in south-east England shows how
Early Years Update focuses on the importance of well being, as part of their range of practical ideas to underpin the information in the Early Years Foundation Stage Principles into Practice cards
Early Years Update looks at the National Healthy Schools Programme and the key issues it aims to address
Discover how to manage the dynamics of a balanced and well-organised childcare team
In early years especially, boys should not be forced into a “girl-like” model of learning, explains Steve Mynard
Crispin Andrews looks at how staff at two children’s centres are reaping the benefits of information communication technology
Early years practitioners have used ICT to support young children’s learning in diverse ways, writes Julie Steer
Early Years Update focuses on the importance of inclusion, as part of their range of practical ideas to underpin the information in the Early Years Foundation Stage Principles into Practice cards
Early Years Update looks at the opportunities available for practitioners to gain Early Years Professional Status
The Children’s Plan was launched by Ed Balls in December 2007, but what are the government’s objectives for this initiative?
In the first of new series on managing people, Early Years Update looks at the distinction between leadership and management
Jan White provides a range of practical ideas for creating enabling outdoor environments that support young children’s health, wellbeing, development and learning
Jan White, consultant in outdoor play in the early years, looks at implications of the EYFS for the development of outdoor environments for young children
Early Years Update focuses on development and learning as part of their range of practical ideas to underpin the information in the Early Years Foundation Stage Principles into Practice cards
Julie Leoni, emotional literacy coordinator at the Marches School in Shropshire, reflects on the need for teachers to take risks if they are to encourage creative risk-taking in their students
Valsa Koshy explores the issues surrounding the identification of, and provision for, our youngest gifted and talented children
Helen Wheeler describes how the PEAL training programme helped practitioners to develop parents’ involvement in their children’s learning
Early Years Update looks at ways of making transitions an enjoyable and exciting experience for children and parents
In this final article in our series on marketing and promotion Early Years Update looks at planning and running a marketing campaign
Steve Mynard, editor of Primary Headship, considers the practicalities of helping young children to develop higher-order questioning skills
A headteacher was fined £12,500 after a boy died at school. What does this mean for educators? Hazel Padmore investigates
We tend to take questioning skills for granted; they certainly seem to develop quite readily in young children. Steve Mynard, editor of Primary Headship, explores the reasons why we might choose to guide our children towards higher-level questioning skills
Elizabeth Jarman looks at the impact of the physical learning environment on young children’s speaking and listening skills
Early Years Update looks at the principles, process and purpose of assessment in the early years
Some people think that children under five are too young to express opinions, but Sara Bryson and her colleagues found ways of ensuring that babies and children were at the heart of the decision-making process
Katrina Foley describes how young children’s independence and self-management skills can be promoted in an environment which celebrates risk, challenge and empowerment
Early Years Update looks at the importance of environmental wellbeing in supporting the five outcomes of Every Child Matters
In this third article on marketing and promotion, Early Years Update looks at creating a range of promotional material to make potential customers aware of the services you provide
Patricia Lee explains how supporting children’s musical creativity can contribute to their sense of self-worth and emotional wellbeing
Aisha Ashante of Langtry Children’s Centre describes the thinking behind the centre’s approach to quality provision for young children
Juliet Neil-Hall discusses the importantance of attachment and meeting the emotional needs of young children and their parents
In this second article on marketing and promotion, Early Years Update, looks at how to use market research to find out more about the customers who use your services
Early Years Update highlights the key management issues contained in the EYFS Statutory Framework
The steering group of the NQIN has produced a set of overarching principles designed to guide the future development of quality improvement processes and quality assurance schemes
Linda Bartholomew and Cathy Kennedy describe their initiative to capitalise on the links which health visitors can create between early years providers and families
Franz Atkinson describes a whole-school approach adopted by a small rural primary school
Jenni Clarke discusses the important role early years practitioners can play in helping young children to develop good eating habits
In the first part of a series on marketing, Early Years Update looks at the vital area of creating an ‘image’ as part of marketing and promoting your organisation
Early Years Update provides a guided tour of the documents in the new EYFS package
All primary schools must have a disability equality scheme in place by December 2007. Margaret Collins offers some practical suggestions to help you meet the challenge
Joanne MacDonald describes an innovative approach to drugs education for young children
Looking at the benefits and challenges of different models for providing childcare and early education service in children’s centres and extended schools
New research evaluates how effectively Sure Start programmes help children with special needs and disabilities
Practitioners need to consider the way that space and resources can be used to encourage children’s investigations. Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton explain
How do you respond if a parent starts complaining about your setting or your staff? Steve Mynard advises that you start with prevention
A useful update on the current law regarding discrimination is provided by Patti Turner
This sensitive area should be part of every setting’s PSE programme, says Margaret Collins
There are pros and cons of chosing to take the franchise option to expand. Angela Youngman reports
How can you make judgements about the performance of your assistants when they are in the room working alongside a teacher/ practitioner? Kevin Bullock provides one solution
Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton explore ways to use the children’s curiosity about their world to become self-motivated, independent learners.
Do you always know what messages your parents are taking away with them? Carole Farrar examines some of the messages that you may be giving out.
Patricia Lee explores practical ways for you to introduce children to musical concepts and elements.
Maggie Parker-Heys urges practitioners to appreciate the skills required to form even the simplest letters.
Sally Eaton begins a three-part series designed to support managers and leaders who are considering providing some in-house training for their staff.
Marianne Clarkson looks at the life and work of Maria Montessori.
An effective professional development system is essential for your setting. Steve Mynard explains how to set one up.
How can you handle children’s surprise at a new classmate’s disfigurement in a way that is positive for everybody? Jane Frances of Changing Faces offers some practical ideas.
The Early Support programme seeks to improve the quality, consistency and coordination of services for young disabled children and their families. A new report examines its effectiveness.
Joanne Haine, foundation stage coordinator at Baring Primary School in London, describes how innovative use of ICT made assessment exciting for children and practitioners alike.
Patricia Lee explains how we can help children to acquire ‘pitch’.
Peter Wynne-Willson urges settings to bring live theatre to their children.
Ross Midgley of the Crocus Early Years group offers some practical ideas for managing payments by voucher.
Lev S. Vygotsky is the subject of Steve Mynard’s article on the psychology of child development.
Carole Farrar continues her series on communication with parents.
Locally produced food is increasingly popular in schools and may become more important than going organic, writes Angela Youngman
When an early years setting is damaged by fire, the effects are far wider reaching than the material damage to the building. Consider the trauma to staff and children, loss of work and resources, and effect on the local community.
Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway of the University of Durham has researched the difficulties faced by children who have a low working memory.
Carole Farrar continues her series by looking at ways to make the most of personal contact with your parents.
Patricia Lee continues her exploration of music for young children.
Steve Mynard opens a series of articles on educational thinkers who have influenced our approaches to early education.
Sally Eaton of the Manor Tree Group helps you to think about how you will prepare the ground when you need to make changes in your own setting.
British Gymnastics’ play programme helps young children develop physical skills. Jo Prescott and Liz Liebman explain how.
Sally Eaton examines the benefits of CPD and the line manager’s role in implementing it.
Geography can reward the inquisitiveness of young children, says Steve Mynard.
Margaret Collins describes how children can learn to be risk assessors.
Archaeologist and teacher John Crossland, describes how you can use an historic site with Foundation Stage children.
Mary Mahoney examines our responsibilities when asked to give medicine to children.
Carole Farrar, an experienced headteacher, takes you through the process of appointing new staff members.
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.
Helen Hann considers how we can support children and nurture their emerging mathematical concepts and understanding.
Margo Turnbull explores the development of children’s communication skills, by focusing on the role of the practitioner.
Nick Smurthwaite investigates current developments in radio for young children.
We all know that learning to read is a very important step for any child to make, but how can we be sure that we are offering children the best introduction to this skill. Roger Hurn unpicks some of the issues currently under debate.
Helen MR Hann looks at the help and support we can provide for those children about to move into Key Stage 1.
Angela Youngman found out about a broad and creative approach to learning.
Julie Jennings considers how you can go about monitoring the effectiveness of your Foundation Stage team.
Steve Mynard explores a process to enrich your children’s language and literacy experiences.
Helen MR Hann suggests strategies to help children transfer into the foundation stage.
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 M R Hann, an experienced foundation stage teacher, looks at the practical implications of ensuring children’s emotional health and wellbeing as they enter nursery or playgroup for the first time.
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, it is just a matter of following some easy guidelines.
What should be in your induction policy and how can you implement it effectively?
Angela Youngman finds out what is possible if you want to introduce a modern foreign language in your setting.
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.
Leonora Davies, chair of the Music Education Council, talks to Nick Smurthwaite about the vital role of music and movement in early years development.
How much does food affect children’s behaviour? Mary Whiting reveals some research-based facts and offers some tips.
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.
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.
Angela Youngman talked with Justine O’Driscoll of the Bedford Just Learning Nursery about making computers accessible for children in the early years.
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.
Pauline Cox explains what was involved in taking part in the Effective Early Learning (EEL) Project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Margaret Collins looks at ways to raise children’s awareness of sun protection.
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.
In her second article on training, Sally Eaton looks at some everyday opportunities.
Margaret Collins explores ways in which we can help children to think about their responses and their reactions.
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.
Petra Luck describes the benefits of learning alongside colleagues from around Europe.
Angela Youngman investigates some initiatives designed to involve men in careers with young children.
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.
Use all the openings possible to encourage your children to express themselves through the written word, says Lynn Cousins.
This seasonal assembly for infants looks at the carol service or carol concert – an annual fixture in many schools
Angela Youngman finds out about a scheme to improve communication in early years settings through the use of sign language.
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.
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.