A simpler, less bureaucratic system for assessing how young children in England are developing is to be announced.
The Early Years Foundation Stage, which currently has 69 benchmarks, will be reduced to just 17, focusing on basics like physical development and language.
The EYFS has been statutory since 2008 and sets out targets for learning and welfare for childcare providers.
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Watch our 'Parents as Partners' webcast for valuable tips on how to maintain a positive relationship
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) urged nurseries to ensure that staff had the skills to develop strong partnerships with parents during difficult times.
NDNA highlighted how nurseries understand the value of working with families so that children can gain the very most from their time at nursery and learning was extended into the home.
However, the organisation added that it was vital that practitioners are also equipped with the skills to support parents during challenging times such as financial difficulty, separation or bereavement.
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New media is changing children's imaginative play
Children are using their experience of computer games and reality TV shows to give traditional playground games a modern twist, a study suggests.
Researchers found aspects of programmes like the Jeremy Kyle Show and Britain’s Got Talent included in children’s imaginative play.
Far from destroying their imagination, new technologies help to enrich it, the team from London and Sheffield says.
They observed play at two school playgrounds over two years.
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Children learn Mandarin at Little Learners Nursery
Children as young as two are learning to speak Mandarin at a Maidstone nursery.
Little Learners Nursery at Boughton Lane, Loose, is putting on lessons in the language to a class of pupils.
Head of School Guy Hewitt said: “It’s the second most important business language in the world so we’re anxious to give all our youngsters an early opportunity to do well in life.
“We have a very successful nursery here and it was decided to be a logical next step to introduce Mandarin in the nursery as well so that the youngsters start to access it.”
Manager of Little Learners, Hayley-Louise Oliver, said: “With the Confucius Classroom and Mandarin lessons being so positive and popular at New Line Learning Academy, I had the idea on promoting this within our nursery to encourage pre-schoolers to acquire new language skills.
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"Excellent use of natural resources enhances children's learning experiences" Ofsted Report
Children can develop better social, literacy and numeracy skills by being outside, as demonstrated at the Farley Nursery School.
Set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, the private nursery has a unique ‘outdoor learning’ ethos, delivering the early years curriculum away from typical indoor comforts.
With over two acres of beautiful garden adjacent to the nursery, children can participate in a number of nature-learning activities throughout the year. Whether it is taking part in a nature hunt, learning a new song or investigating the capacity of a wheel barrow, the children are happy to learn on their next adventure.
The outside activities quickly encourage children to develop social skills. The obstacle course influences children of various ages to mix and show consideration for one another, while the freedom to participate in activities such as bike riding and running keeps them active throughout the day.
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Children under five should be given nationally agreed meal menus when in regulated childcare to ensure they receive sufficient nutrition, according to a government-backed report.
Getting children to help lay tables, use knives and forks and behave sociably could also help cut the number of “fussy eaters” in later life, the Advisory Panel of Food and Nutrition in Early Years recommends.
The panel, established by the former Labour government, suggests a central bank of menu examples should be established to provide more detailed voluntary guidance on healthy, balanced food for babies and toddlers from the age of one until they go to school. Its report includes examples of menu plans, types of food to use and portion sizes.
Continue reading “Call for nursery meals to promote healthy lifestyles” »
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