Imaginative or role play is in danger of being eclipsed by the demands of the EYFS Curriculum. Lesley Hendy invites us to take a fresh look at this important tool in a young child's learning about the world around them.

The antidote to Early Years Childcare: Weather

by Dee Hayday on January 24, 2011

There's no such thing as bad weather - only inappropriate clothing. Hmmm - not according to Dee Hayday!

Sick Note!

by Dee Hayday on January 24, 2011

On children's tendency to forgo the social niceties when being sick. The usual Dee Hayday health warning is accompanied by a 'sensitive stomach' alert...

Holidays!

by Dee Hayday on January 24, 2011

Dee Hayday celebrates the annual summer holiday - irreverant as always, the usual health warning applies...

Foundation Stage Units Part 1: developing integrated provision for nur…

by Anne O'Connor on January 24, 2011

An overview of the differing types of FSU from an experienced early years professional and author, giving pros, cons and issues around the subject.

Foundation Stage Units Part 2 – experiences and lessons learned

by Anne O'Connor on January 24, 2011

Following her first well received first article on Foundation Stage Units, Anne discusses in more depth her experiences and the lessons learned of the set up of her unit.

The role of the teacher

by Dee Hayday on January 24, 2011

Dee's usual impartial, fair minded approach is applied to the question of 'Teachers: What are they for?'. The article carries the usual health warning!

Risk Assessment in Early Years settings

by Helen Edwards on January 24, 2011

An overview of the things to be considered when undertaking a risk assessment. Accompanied by two editable forms, one for recording an initial safety inspection and the second a basic form to record the risk assessment

Learning about Shape and Space

by Helen Edwards on January 24, 2011

The perceived need to demonstrate children's development in the Early Years can put pressure on practitioners to move to formal methods of education too quickly. This article explains how learning can be achieved and recorded instead through practica…

Applying for a job in Early Years? Interview preparation

by Helen Edwards on January 24, 2011

Getting through interviews successfully is all about preparation. This article guides the interviewee through the process, recommending strategies for impressing your interviewer.

The Dead Hamster

by Dee Hayday on January 24, 2011

The dangers of keeping pets in early years settings are covered here in another light hearted article by Dee. Animal lovers may like to ensure they're feeling strong before reading this...

Meetings!

by Dee Hayday on January 24, 2011

Dee casts a world weary and jaundiced eye at the phenomenon of staff meetings!

The Early Years Foundation Stage is like an Onion!

by Martine Horvath on January 24, 2011

Find out why the EYFS is more like an onion than a tomato...

Partnerships with Parents, Part 1

by Juliet Mickelburgh on March 10, 2011

Working in partnership with parents is now considered to be one of the key areas of good early years practice, illustrated by the focussing of four Standards in the EYPS on this subject. In the first of two articles we look at why partnership with pa…

Partnership with Parents, Part 2.

by Juliet Mickelburgh on April 25, 2011

This is the second of two articles looking at building partnerships with parents. Here we discuss how settings can open up to parents and families to achieve true partnership.

Inclusion in the Early Years Foundation Stage

by Jonathan Glazzard on April 26, 2011

The principle of inclusive education has dominated educational policy for nearly two decades and under the previous Labour administration inclusion was a key policy imperative. It was embedded within the Every Child Matters agenda (HMSO, 2003) and is…

Looking back: How do we give young children a sense of the past?

by Juliet Mickelburgh on May 24, 2011

As adults, we tend to think about time in terms of chronology. Time is linear and ordered. The past stretches into the distance in one direction, the future into the other, and the present sits in the middle. We understand that the past can be recent…

Challenging Mathematics in the Early Years

by Anne D. Cockburn on June 27, 2011

A common perception among the general public is that it is easy to teach young children mathematics. In this article, Professor Anne Cockburn, from the School of Education & Lifelong Learning at the University of East Anglia, discusses some of the p…

The Farmer Drama

by Jacqeline Long on August 18, 2011

Farmer MacDonald is getting older and his farm isn't what it used to be. Can he avoid closure after a stern letter from the ministry? Accompanied by a drama plan and tips for a role play area.

Responsibility

by Dee Hayday on December 2, 2010

Dee's series of irreverant lighthearted articles. Anyone who believes that Early Years education is too serious to laugh about might wish to pass this article by...

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Articles

Articles Professional Learning Toolkit

146 articles in this category

The Snowman Drama

Enabling Environments

A Unique Child

Positive Relationships

Cheerful or Cheerless Childminding in the Face of EYFS Challenges?

Revisiting Imaginative Play

The antidote to Early Years Childcare: Weather

Sick Note!

Holidays!

Foundation Stage Units Part 1: developing integrated provision for nur…

Foundation Stage Units Part 2 – experiences and lessons learned

The role of the teacher

Risk Assessment in Early Years settings

Learning about Shape and Space

Applying for a job in Early Years? Interview preparation

The Dead Hamster

Meetings!

The Early Years Foundation Stage is like an Onion!

Partnerships with Parents, Part 1

Partnership with Parents, Part 2.

Inclusion in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Looking back: How do we give young children a sense of the past?

Challenging Mathematics in the Early Years

The Farmer Drama

Responsibility