Best practice has the emphasis firmly on fun at this time of the year – when children can enjoy being energetic and creative outdoors. We’ve got lots of ideas to try. Why not display their weatherproof art outdoors or make art from the land itself? We also explore some big issues including how to be vigilant with safeguarding and the need to address childhood obesity with a balanced approach.
Practice features:
- EYFS reforms – Maths
Di Chilvers navigates the changes, balancing the negatives and the positives. She flags the need to continue to prioritise shape, space and measures as part of holistic mathematical learning and emphasises the importance of observation to ensure that children steadily build on their skills. - Potty training: When is the right time to start?
- Weighing in
Latest research points to young children’s weight gain due to the pandemic. Caroline Vollans takes a look at positive approaches to a healthy weight and why putting children on the scales is not the answer. - Froebel: How a new international programme is helping its practice to flourish.
- Guide to safeguarding
With referrals to social care and concerns about children rising due to the pandemic, we provide a guide to early years settings’ current safeguarding role. - Health and wellbeing
Research suggests that many new fathers are experiencing worrying levels of depression and anxiety. We unpick why awareness needs to change and how services need to be enhanced. - Inclusion
Author Helen Garnett examines the impact of early years education on gender stereotyping, particularly in the context of male violence towards women. - In our activity section: a project explores the role of tree surgeons while Julie Mountain'soutdoor calendar for Julyplans out a summer of play and creativity. Diane Boyd illuminates the importance of green energy in sustainable education and Dr Lala Manners outlines why running is such a vital part of physical development for the under-threes. In essential resources we take a look at music making and suggest a range of diverse, affordable instruments.
- In our management section:
Staff health and wellbeing, part 4 – we look at how staff motivation and confidence can be increased by CPD and undertaking further qualifications. - Training: A new series on qualifications levels kicks off with a look at how Level 1 can help to get budding early years practitioners on the career ladder.
- CPD Outdoors, part 7: Providing an overview of different types of outdoor learning such as beach and forest school and how they can be viewed in the context of outdoor learning overall.
- News, analysis and opinion includes:
How the DfE knew it was underfunding the early years for the free entitlements – Catherine Gaunt analyses the longstanding crisis on underfunding and how FOI revelations from the Early Years Alliance have increased the pressure. - Opinion: Sadiq Khan explains why he is ramping up support for the city’s childcarers; Michael Pettavel unpicks why the early years sector can ‘only be fixed’ with funding and cross-party support
- We interview Claire Cobain, head teacher at Arlesdene Nursery School and Pre-school