Health and Well-being
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,...
Oral Health in the Early Years – Healthy Smiles for Life
Oral Health in the Early Years: Promoting Healthy Smiles for Life Good oral health in the early years is much more than just teaching children how to brush their teeth. Healthy mouths support so much more as children grow up, such as eating,...
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...
Safer Sleep Guidance in Early Years: What’s Changed and What Ofsted Will Now Inspect
Safer sleep guidance in early years is changing - and if you care for babies or children under 2 in your setting, you need to know exactly what's new. In March 2026, early education minister Olivia Bailey confirmed that the government is writing...
Oral health in the early years: promoting healthy smiles for life
Oral health in the early years: promoting healthy smiles for life Good oral health in young children is much more than just teaching them how to brush their teeth. Healthy mouths support so much more growing up, such as eating,...
The Whole Child in Motion: Why Holistic Learning Begins with Movement, Connection and Play
Why Holistic Learning Begins with Movement, Connection and Play Step into any early years setting, and you might see a child spinning with a scarf, completely absorbed in their own rhythm, while others begin to watch, copy, and join in their...
Early Years Well-being Week and Mental Health Awareness Week: supporting children, families and practitioners
Early Years Well-being Week and Mental Health Awareness Week Two important events in the early years calendar are Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May 2026) and Early Years Well-being Week (typically held in October). Both provide valuable...
Self-evaluation for early years educators
Self-evaluation for early years educators In early years education, we focus on observing and assessing children’s development. But how often do we pause and turn that same thoughtful lens back onto ourselves? The practice of self-evaluation is...
Nurturing the Nurturers: Why Staff Well-Being Matters
Early years practice is deeply relational work. Every day, practitioners respond to children’s emotions, support families through transitions and challenges, and create environments where young learners feel safe, confident, and curious. This...
Why Are We Here? The Glitter and The Glimmers In Early Years
In any early years setting across the country, you’re likely to find a similar scene: a whirlwind of paint and pictures, the melodic hum of play, and educators who seem to have a thousand things on their minds at once. It is a profession unlike...
Mentoring in the workplace: Supporting apprentices, practitioners and leaders
The early years sector continues to face significant workforce challenges, including recruitment pressures, retention difficulties and increasing professional demands. In this climate, mentoring is not a luxury but a strategic tool that settings...
The ‘hidden curriculum’ or what children really learn when we are not ‘teaching’
When we think about learning in early years settings, we often focus on planned activities, structured play, and the areas of learning set out in curriculum guides and the EYFS. Practitioners carefully plan experiences that support children’s...
Baby Music and Sensory Play
Music and sensory - from the very earliest stages of life, movement shapes who we become. In the womb, the first spontaneous movements emerge, initiating not only physical development but also the earliest form of communication, a way of...
The Developing Brain: What It Means for Behaviour in Early Childhood
In early years settings, we sometimes encounter moments that make us pause and wonder: why did that happen? Perhaps a child suddenly bursts into tears during tidy-up time, is reluctant to share a toy, or hides under a table when the noise level...
Naming Feelings, Growing Minds: Emotional literacy for early years
Why Emotional Literacy in Early Years Matters - In early years, we place great importance on children’s communication, physical development and early learning skills. Yet one of the most influential areas of development (their emotional...
Learning in Motion – Why Music and Movement Belong Together in the Early Years
Frances Turnbull explains the importance of music and movement in early years. In English, we use separate words for music and dancing, but many languages combine the idea of audio and physical movement, which echoes the response children have...
Nurturing Young Minds: Supporting Children’s Mental Health in the Early Years
Gemma Kirby explains how to understand Children’s Mental Health in Early Years Children’s Mental Health Week (9th-15th February) offers a timely invitation to pause and reflect on how we support the emotional well-being of our youngest children....
The Autistic Experience through the eyes of children (Part two)
Dr Jo Grace discusses understanding the Autistic Experience in Early Years. In 2020, I became the UK’s most obnoxiously proud Mummy when my son became the UK’s youngest published author with his book:"My Mummy is Autistic". He wrote it as he...
Love of books in early years – Why it Matters
Why a love of books in early years matters Love of Books in Early Years Through Stories - Valentine’s Day is often associated with love cards, hearts and kindness, but it also offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate something equally...
The ADHD School-to-Prison pipeline and why we should care about it in Early Years
ADHD in Early Years: What Really Works? Zoë Austin explains understanding ADHD in Early Years - The ADHD School-to-Prison pipeline and why we should care about it in Early Years Greetings, fellow travellers! Last month, I wrote to you about...
STEM in Infancy and the Early Years: Nurturing Curiosity from the Very Start
STEM in Early Years: Curiosity From the Start Sandra Beale discusses STEM in early years. Young children, both boys and girls, are naturally curious. From the moment they begin to explore the world around them, they ask questions, test ideas and...
Positive Relationships in Early Years – Why the key person approach is so powerful!
Building Positive Relationships in Early Years Settings - children learn through connection and relationships. Before they can confidently explore, take risks, communicate or manage feelings, they need to feel safe and secure. That sense of...
The First Language of Love: How Movement and Play Build Connection in the Early Years
Gina Bale explains Why Movement and Play in Early Years Matter. Before a young child can say how they are feeling, they show it to us in other ways.For example, a baby kicks their legs excitedly when a familiar face appears. A toddler copies...
Early Years Calm After the Festive Whirlwind
As the twinkling lights fade and the last crumbs of mince pie disappear, January often feels like a collective exhale, a moment to pause after the sensory and emotional whirlwind of the festive season. For many children, and indeed for the...
How Routines Support Emotional Security
In an ever-changing world, routines offer a powerful Emotional security anchor for children: a reliable rhythm that fosters emotional security, builds trust, and supports learning. For all children, but especially for those who are...
Creating & Curating A Sensory Christmas
Create a sensory-rich Christmas with scents, textures and stories that spark joy, support sensory needs and make the festive season calmer and more inclusive.
The Festival of Winter Walks
Explore the Festival of Winter Walks: outdoor winter adventures for children and families, boosting wellbeing, learning, and festive fun in nature.
Social-Emotional Learning & Mental Health
Discover practical ways to support social-emotional learning (SEL) and children’s mental health in early years settings through empathy, play, and safe routines.
Autism and Paracetamol: 5 Vital Facts for Parenta Providers
Explore paracetamol myths, autism, and child behaviour, while learning how empathy, listening, and understanding bridge divides in families and society.