Update: 24th April 2018 Since we wrote and published this blog, the HSE have changed the document that is referenced in the EYFS.  The new document states that blended learning is an accepted method of training for workplace first aid.  You can view the new version on the same link below, or here.  Point 24 is the one of interest. This is obviously a fundamental change to their policy, and one that may cause us to change our position on … [Read more...]

So we are already on to the 4th and final part of our series of blogs about the content that we believe should be included in a supervision, you can find the previous articles here, here and here. If you have read the previous posts, then jump right in below, but if this is your first one, then here is what you have missed... Including moderation allows you to make sure that staff are all looking for the same things and that children continue … [Read more...]

Last year (Happy New Year everyone), I started a series of articles about the different subjects that should be covered during a supervision, you can find the previous articles here and here.  Information about what should be included in a supervision doesn't seem to be forthcoming from any of the usual sources, and that means settings are all doing it a bit differently.  We thought it was about time to get some alignment. This time, I will be … [Read more...]

A couple of weeks ago, I started writing about the different subjects that should be covered during a supervision, you can find the article here.  This information doesn't seem to be forthcoming from any of the usual sources, and that means settings are all doing it a bit differently. This week, I will be discussing why I think safeguarding should be a big part of a supervision.  This is a slightly more obvious topic than last time, so I think … [Read more...]

It still amazes me that there isn't more guidance about supervisions in Early Years.  Supervisions are an important part of what we do, yet they still seem to be done differently in every setting I go in to.  Surely this can't be the way it should be! Over the next few weeks I'm going to run down all the areas I think are important to include in supervisions and dicuss why.  This isn't a top 5 list or anything like that, everything is … [Read more...]

I'd be the first person to admit that listening to people who work in the government speak is relatively low on the list of things I like to spend my time doing.  However, last week gave us some exceptions with two speeches with at least some impact on the world of Early Years. The first of these speeches was by Ofsted's Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman, and gave us some interesting insights on the future of Early Years.  You can read the whole … [Read more...]

We have been working with schools a lot recently (mostly because of this product) and the question I wanted to get an answer to above all else was: "Nurseries spend a lot of time on each child's learning journey and report, yet they feel like the reception teacher doesn't always read them, why is this?" I asked quite a few reception teachers, and I went in with a the idea that somehow schools were letting Early Years practitioners down by not … [Read more...]

The 2017 Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) data has been released for 2017, you can find it here.  These are the top 4 most interesting findings (according to me)... 1. More children are achieving ‘good’ development In 2017, 70.7 per cent of children achieved what the government deems to be a “good level of development”, up from 69.3 per cent last year.  This continues the upward trend of the last 5 years.   2. Girls … [Read more...]

We're just doing the final packing and heading home from Childcare Expo Midlands 2017.  Our legs are very tired, but we had a fantastic time, and although the hall is still a hive of activity (as everyone frantically packs up to head home) it is quiet without the constant stream of interesting people we have had coming to the stand over the last two days. We always enjoy meeting everyone working in Early Years, and this show was no exception! … [Read more...]

What a fantastic first day!  We've already been here for a few hours and it has started to get busy. Our help with the Foundation Focus products was really worth it as they are proving very popular on the stand.  If you haven't come over to the stand yet, or you're not at the show until tomorrow, then we are at stand C23 and look forward to you seeing you! I haven't had much chance to wander around the Childcare Expo just yet, but everyone who … [Read more...]