106 articles in this category

Pack-away power
by Anneka Russell on March 15, 2022
Early Years consultant Anneka Russell reflects on the hugely important role played by 'pack-away' nurseries in their communities. 
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To Decolonise or Diversify? Is that the question?
by Adam Vasco on February 9, 2022
Adam Vasco, who leads the 3-7 Early Years Post Graduate Route at Liverpool John Moores University, reflects on the learning and unlearning that needs to happen to decolonise and diversify our education spaces and curriculums.   
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‘Exercising the imagination’ Big bang! Small hands… Big ideas! Creativ…
by Pete Moorhouse on January 10, 2022
Early years creative consultant and artist educator, Pete Moorhouse, describes the joy of woodwork for young children, and the creative and critical thinking skills and personal development that woodwork offers. 
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Joining the Dots of Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood
by Dr Chandrika Devarakonda on November 10, 2021
Associate Professor of Diversity & Inclusion, Dr Chandrika Devarakonda, discusses two models that can support our understanding of diversity and inclusion, both in the part each individual plays, and in a wider context. 
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Replacing the topic box of stereotypes
by Alicia Wilkins on September 13, 2022
This month we revisit an article by Early Years Practitioner and Tiney home nursery leader, Alicia Wilkins, which asks us to reflect on the diversity and representation that must be embedded in our practice every moment of every day. 
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Choosing a school as your child transitions to Reception
by Alicia Wilkins on October 19, 2022
Early Years Practitioner and Tiney home nursery leader, Alicia Wilkins, shares her experience of looking for a school for her son, with advice for families and reminding early years educators of all the emotions that parents/carers feel.
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Challenging gender stereotypes in the Early Years
by Susie Heywood on September 7, 2021
Susie Heywood, co-founder of Gender Friendly Scotland, discusses how early years educators can challenge outdated gender stereotypes and remove the limits those stereotypes impose on children. 
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Writing in the Early Years
by Varinder Kaur Johal on August 10, 2021
Educator Varinder Kaur Johal shares her thoughts and ideas on children's early writing - from the child development that supports writing to creating opportunities to mark make. 
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Five things I’ve taken from working in Early Years to teaching across …
by Varinder Kaur Johal on June 15, 2022
As we approach the end of the school year, when some staff may be moving to new classes and stages, we return to an article by Teacher Varinder Kaur Johal on moving between early years and key stage. 
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The Brightest Shadow
by Greg Bottrill on June 17, 2021
Greg Bottrill explores the play-full heart, how we need to connect with the magic of childhood and lean into the joy as we learn and play with children. 
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Engaging children in conversations about diversity, discrimination, an…
by Fifi Benham on April 27, 2021
Early Years educator and pre-school Deputy Manager Fifi Benham reflects on why we need to have conversations with young children about diversity, and how looking more closely at ourselves, and the resources in our setting, can support this. 
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Teaching and learning mathematics in the early years: a cognitive load…
by Linda Pound on February 4, 2022
Early years consultant and author, Linda Pound, explores Cognitive Load Theory and how to support young children's Mathematical development. 
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Counting on strong foundations!
by Linda Pound on May 12, 2021
Linda Pound reflects on how children learn about number, and shares how educators can bring imagination, creativity and joy to mathematical development.  
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Mirrors and Reflections
by Rachna Joshi on January 9, 2022
This month we revisit a previous article by Rachna Joshi exploring children's mirror play and their sense of self.   
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Parental engagement: rethinking support for families with children wit…
by Caroline Vollans on July 15, 2021
Caroline Vollans shares the journey of Buttercup Group, a small Stay and Play provision for parents and carers with children with learning differences. 
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'Words come too easily’: exploring compliments and the impact they can…
by Caroline Vollans on December 10, 2021
Caroline Vollans takes a closer look at compliments and their impact on young children. 
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Urban planning and risk aversion: an interview with Tim Gill
by Caroline Vollans on March 11, 2022
Caroline Vollans interviews play specialist Tim Gill. 
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Intergenerational learning and care part 2: An Intergenerational Nurse…
by Caroline Vollans on August 17, 2022
Caroline Vollans finds out more about the first Intergenerational Nursery in the UK. 
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Intergenerational learning and care - Part 1: The Together Project
by Caroline Vollans on July 14, 2022
In the first of a 3 part series about intergenerational learning and care, Caroline Vollans tells us about the benefits for the oldest and youngest generations offered through The Together Project. 
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Early Years in the community: a case study
by Caroline Vollans on October 16, 2022
Caroline Vollans takes a closer look at the work of one early years centre and its connection within the local community, reminding us of the far reaching importance of all early years settings.
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Intergenerational learning and care part 3: the Belong nursery
by Caroline Vollans on September 13, 2022
In the final part of a series about intergenerational learning and care, Caroline Vollans learns about an intergenerational setting in the North West. 
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Putting love at the centre of your practice - being on a journey with …
by Joss Cambridge-Simmons on October 19, 2020
Joss Cambridge-Simmons (founder of Jossy Care) shares his journey, from being a very young man starting out in childcare, to running his own childcare business, and the love that is weaves through it all. 
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How do I talk about race with children in the Early Years setting?
by Liz Pemberton on October 19, 2020
Liz Pemberton asks us to personally equip ourselves to talk about race and to implement practical changes to ensure that the antiracist thread is running all the way through our practice. 
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Cherry Garden Branch Maps - a different approach to assessment for chi…
by Stephen Kilgour on November 18, 2019
Stephen Kilgour, SEND Advisor and Outreach Teacher at Tapestry, tells us about a brand new, unique assessment tool for children with learning differences and disabilities.
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Reflective Practice: What is Reflection, why should it inform our prac…
by Dr Jen Colwell on July 17, 2019
This article is the first in a series looking at Reflection and its role in Early Years Practice. In this paper we focus on the theory of reflection, what the potential benefits may be and what it requires of practitioners.  This series of art…
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