Guest Authors
4 Simple Movements That Shape a Child’s Whole Future
Explore how movement and physical development shape young children, from core strength to language and confidence.
How to Build Strong Parent Partnerships for Early Years Success
Why does parent partnership in early years matter so much? Discover how genuine family inclusion shapes participation. Read on to find out.
What does leadership require of us? The workforce challenge
Struggling with staff turnover? Discover what early years leadership really takes to build a team that stays, and how Parenta can help you get there.
How to Master Early Years After the “Honeymoon”
Discover how to support transitions in early years once the honeymoon period ends, with practical strategies for key workers and families to try today.
The Truth About Autistic Children and “Rude” Behaviour
Supporting autistic children starts with understanding direct communication as a difference, not rudeness. Discover a compassionate approach for your setting.
Physical Development: A Child’s Ultimate Foundation for Learning
Discover why physical development in the early years underpins language, focus and learning, from expert trainer Helen Battelley.
How to Bring Safer Consent Into Early Years Music
Discover why consent matters in early years music sessions, and how small moments of choice build trust and wellbeing. Read on to find out more.
Early Years Safeguarding: A Proven Path to Trust
Discover how early years safeguarding depends on trusted, emotionally safe relationships with children. Read on to explore what this means for practice.
Early Years Transitions: A Proven Path to Settling In
When the Honeymoon Period Ends: Securing Early Years Transitions After September (Part 1) True early years transitions don't end when a child walks through the door in week one - and successfully settling in EYFS children after September means...
KCSIE 2026: A Proven Path to Safer Recruitment
Discover the key KCSIE 2026 safeguarding changes affecting early years leaders in England, and what action your setting needs to take. Find out more.
Imaginative Play: A Proven Path to Emotional Well-being
Discover why imaginative play matters for children's resilience and emotional well-being. Read on to find out how movement-rich play builds confidence.
How to Support Autism Communication with Complete Clarity
In each of this series of 12 articles Dr Jo Grace shares an autistic trait with us, showing how early research pathologised difference as a problem and then giving us insight into more contemporary work in which difference is viewed as neutral...
Inclusive Literacy: The Ultimate Boost for Every Child (Part 2)
Every Child Has a Voice: Understanding Inclusive Literacy - Part 2 In Yemisi Manuwa's concluding part of her inclusive literacy article, she moves from theory to practice, exploring what inclusive literacy looks like in everyday early years...
STEM in Early Childhood Education: More Than Activities
More Than Activities: (Re)thinking STEM in Early Childhood Education Conversations about STEM in early childhood education have never been more prominent. Across the world, early years settings are embracing investigations, loose parts,...
STEM in the Early Years: Curiosity, Not Worksheets
STEM in the Early Years Begins with Curiosity, Not Worksheets. What is the first thing a child does when they discover something unexpected? They stop. They look. They point. Then comes the question. “What’s that?” Almost immediately followed...
Interpreting Policy in Early Years – Everyday Leadership
Interpreting Policy: The Everyday Leadership Work That Brings Policy to Life How leaders translate national expectations into everyday practice that truly works for children and teams. Interpreting policy is one of the most important and least...
Can I Really Do This? Thriving as a Neurodivergent Trainee in Early Years (Part Two)
Can I Really Do This? Thriving as a Neurodivergent Trainee in Early Years (Part Two) In part two of Michelle Windridge's article about thriving as a neurodivergent trainee in early years education, the focus shifts to practical strategies and...
Autistic Attention – Listen & Understand
You're Not Listening to Me! Understanding Autistic Attention In each of this series of 12 articles, Dr Jo Grace shares an autistic trait with us, showing how early research pathologised difference as a problem and then giving us insight into...
The Magic of Childminding – Why It Deserves Recognition
The Magic of Childminding The magic of childminding was put in the spotlight during Childminding Week this year, which gave a much needed lift to the work that childminders do, and Coram Pacey's extensive report, The Magic of Childminding,...
Autism and Info Dumping – Sharing as Connection
In each of this series of 12 articles, Dr Jo Grace shares an autistic trait with us, showing how early research pathologised difference as a problem and then giving us insight into more contemporary work in which difference is viewed as neutral,...
Beyond Readiness: Creating Environments Where Children Feel They Belong
School readiness matters deeply - but whose readiness are we really measuring? A four-year-old child stands at the classroom door. Around the child, adults are focused on transition plans, routines, assessments and expectations. Everyone wants...
Emotional Regulation in Early Years – Movement, Play and Big Feelings
Supporting emotional regulation in early years settings is one of the most meaningful things a practitioner can do – and it starts with understanding what children are really communicating. Big emotions are a natural part of early childhood....
Dealing with Big Feelings
Dealing with big feelings in young children is one of the most demanding aspects of early years care. It is when children are at their most emotionally distressed, furious, frustrated, fearful, over-excited or otherwise out of control that...
Can I Really Do This? Thriving as a Neurodivergent Trainee in Early Years – Part Two
Introduction Being a neurodivergent trainee in the early years sector comes with its own unique challenges – but also its own extraordinary strengths. In part two of Michelle Windridge’s article, the focus shifts to practical strategies and...
Musical Games in the Early Years: It’s Only a Game!
Musical games in the early years are one of the most powerful tools in any practitioner's toolkit - giving children immediate, joyful feedback on rhythm, listening, and co-ordination without a worksheet in sight. Gamification has been called a...
Flipping the Script on School Readiness: Why Schools Must Adapt to the Child
School readiness is a topic that dominates early years conversations every year - but it’s time we asked whether we’re focusing on the right thing. Every summer term, a familiar wave of anticipation and anxiety ripples through early years...
From Inclusion to Participation: Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Everyday Practice
Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Everyday Practice In many early years’ settings, there is a strong and genuine commitment to inclusion for our children. As practitioners, we work hard to ensure that all children are welcomed,...
Eye contact – Autism
In each of this series of 12 articles, Dr Jo Grace shares autism traits with us, showing how early research pathologised difference as a problem and then giving us insight into more contemporary work in which difference is viewed as...
VR-AR-MR-XR: Mixed Reality in the Early Years
Mixed Reality in the Early Years Technology in the early years is a mixed bag, and it doesn’t get more mixed than Mixed Reality. Mixed Reality strictly is a form of visual-audio experience that can be experienced and acted on in place of...
The Schools White Paper: What it Means for Early Years Educators
The Early Years White Paper For so long, the UK’s early years education policy has felt like a story that starts at the school gates. The Department for Education’s recent Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving, however, gives...