Proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is ever more important, and nurseries are starting to take this on board.
Turn to ‘Future-proof’ on pages 26-27 to see how Effra Nursery School in Brixton, south London, is putting the focus on STEM, particularly in terms of closing the gender and ethnic gap in these professions.
The range of activities that the children have engaged in is truly inspiring – a space project with a trip to the Science Museum, creating volcanoes, finding out why dinosaurs became extinct, an exploration of waste and recycling including a visit to a local recycling plant... the ideas and links have flowed.
As nursery teacher Stella Carefull points out, it can be dispiriting when the girls she works with increasingly aspire to be princesses. But who would want to be a boring princess when exciting explorations such as this are on offer?
Current and future structures of families are the theme for this issue’s ‘All About…’ on pages 21-24. The numbers of separated and blended families are growing very quickly, so it is imperative that early years practitioners are sensitive to the emotions of young children adjusting to split homes and new step-parents, and also are able to meet their obligations to both parents.
Finally, the future of nutrition is the subject of Mary Llewellin’s feature on pages 18-19, as she examines how we can all try to meet new guidelines on eating 10 portions of fruit and veg each day!