Learner Resources
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...
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...
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...
What Does Inclusion in Early Years Really Look Like? – Part 1
In this first part, I explore what literacy really means in the early years. Through real classroom experiences, I challenge traditional ideas of literacy and highlight why inclusive approaches matter. From recognising non-verbal communication...
Tech in the Early Years: Neurofeedback‑Enhanced Music
Neurofeedback‑Enhanced Music There has been a lot of “neuro” talk recently, and then I came across another term to add to them: neurofeedback-enhanced music. We have neurodivergence, neurolinguistic programming, neurographic art, so perhaps it...
Leadership That Lifts the Team: Small Actions, Big Impact
Leadership That Lifts the Team If you work in early years, you already know that leadership isn’t about big speeches or grand plans. It is the small, consistent behaviours that shape how a team feels, works and copes with the realities of the...
Language and Music: ESOL for the Early Years
Music has long been considered an activity that transcends language, something that people everywhere can understand, like love, smiles and laughter. In fact, its composition has been explored in terms of understanding links between rhythm and...
Easter around the world: Traditions to share with children
Easter is celebrated in many ways around the world. For some people, it’s an important religious festival, while for others it’s a time to welcome the changing season, spend time with family and enjoy long-standing traditions. For those working...
National Careers Week
National Careers Week (NCW) is a brilliant annual opportunity to spotlight careers, inspire ambition and make careers guidance part of everyday conversations in schools, colleges and workplaces across the UK. This year NCW runs from 2nd to 7th...
Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: Skills for Life and Long-Term Growth
Why Early Years Apprenticeships Are the Answer National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) runs from 9th to 15th February 2026 and celebrates the difference apprenticeships make to people, businesses and communities across the UK. It’s a time for...
Literacy Support For EAL Children
Discover how early writing develops, what the new DfE Writing Framework means, and how parents can support confident, inclusive writing from the start.
Shared Values with Parents in Early Years
Discover how early years settings can partner with parents to build shared values like kindness, fairness and respect, supporting children to thrive.
Early Years Writing & The New Framework
Discover how early writing develops, what the new DfE Writing Framework means, and how parents can support confident, inclusive writing from the start.
Early Years Maths: Storytelling & Sensory Play
Discover playful, inclusive ways to build early years maths skills through sensory play, storytelling, and experiences that spark curiosity and confidence.
Importance Of Sleep Patterns In Early Years
Sleep is vital for child development, behaviour, and learning. Discover how early years settings can support healthy sleep patterns during times of change.
Stories For Nurturing Values In Your Setting
Bring universal values to life in your setting with five engaging stories that nurture kindness, respect, empathy, and care for others and the environment.
Ofsted Reports: What’s Changing Now
The word “Ofsted” doesn’t usually spark joy in early years settings. But with the latest proposed changes following the February 2025 consultation, some exciting shifts could help us showcase the incredible work happening in early years. One of...
Mental Health: Top Tips for Educators
Taking care of your mental health isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. By incorporating small self-care practices into your daily routine and fostering a supportive community, you’re not only benefiting yourself but also setting a positive example...
“Play Matters”: Unlocking Young Minds
When Dr Aaron Bradbury first suggested a collaboration between different early childhood organisations and professionals to celebrate play, I jumped at the chance to be involved! He tentatively invited people via social media to express an...
Gender Balance in Early Years: Why It Matters
From the toys we offer to the words we use, children pick up on the gender messages they see and hear from a very early point. These influences shape their ideas about themselves and others which is why gender balance is such a vital...
Embrace International Family Equality Day!
International Family Equality Day (IFED) takes place on the first Sunday of May, with the next celebration on 4th May 2025. It began as a way to support LGBT families and promote their rights but has since grown into a global celebration of all...
Maths Matters: How Numeracy Skills Shape Your Future
In the early years sector, numeracy skills can sometimes be seen as secondary to literacy and communication skills, or something that children develop after learning to speak and read. Due to this misconception, settings can sometimes playdown...
Off-The-Job Training: Essential Information
We know that in our world of early years education, apprenticeships provide a crucial pathway for developing skilled, knowledgeable childcare professionals. The wonderful thing about apprenticeships is that they blend hands-on experience with...
Retail To Early Years Educator: Parenta Has Been Featured In Nursery World
Parenta is proud to be featured in Nursery World magazine, highlighting the inspiring journey of one of our learners, Jade Stevens. From a retail job to becoming a Level 3 Early Years Educator, Jade's story showcases her dedication and success....
Early Years Funding: Parenta Secures Access To £28 Million To Support The Sector
Parenta Training, the UK’s largest early years training provider, has once again demonstrated its persistent commitment to the early years sector by securing access to a £28 million levy funding pot. This achievement will allow employers to...
Apprenticeship Provider Of The Year: Parenta Wins VTCT Award
VTCT Large Apprenticeship Provider Of The Year Parenta Training, the UK's largest provider of childcare apprenticeships, is proud to announce that it has been named the VTCT Large Apprenticeship Provider of the Year. This prestigious award...
Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeships The Ultimate Game-Changer
As childcare professionals, we strive for excellence and seek to cultivate top talent in our settings. While experience is invaluable, formal qualifications enhance our capabilities and empower staff for career growth, raising childcare...
Empathy Strategies for Early Years Educators
Leading early years solutions provider, Parenta, has released a free comprehensive guide on empathy strategies. Aimed at empowering apprentices and early years educators to help young children develop the crucial life skill of empathy. Training...
Matrix Standard Success: Parenta Training Wins Excellence
Parenta Training, the UK’s largest training provider of childcare apprenticeships kicks off its 25th Anniversary year with a celebration of quality. Its first annual ‘continuous improvement check’ (CIC) since achieving matrix Standard...
Why Apprenticeships Are The Secret Path To A Rewarding Career
Do you have an effective plan in place for the recruitment, training and retention of your staff, or does the thought of a resignation letter landing on your desk fill you with dread? There are many challenges facing early years leaders today,...