Running a Setting
Time to think about time
It’s that time of year again when we move the clocks back and everyone gets an extra hour in bed! Forget the fact that we are only reclaiming the hour we’ lost’ in March, when we willingly put the clocks forward, and all is well - we pull the...
Give us a smile: the importance of oral health and World Smile Day®
What does it cost to smile? Nothing! And yet a smile can set the world alight, right? On Friday 4th October, people across the globe will be trying to spread some good cheer, engage in an act of kindness and make each other smile to celebrate...
Learning and laughing together – it’s ‘Family Learning’ month!
Whether you’re a parent or a practitioner, the importance of educating children outside, as well as inside, the classroom, can never be underestimated. Although the traditional ‘nuclear’ family has changed considerably over the years, it doesn’t...
Dyslexia Awareness Week
Richard Branson is one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs: his Virgin brand operates over 60 companies in 35 countries; he has written 8 books and has over 41 million followers on social networks, and his net worth in 2019 was reported at...
Morton Michel Childcare Insurance
Running a nursery is certainly an invigorating experience. 101 decisions to make and 1001 things to think about! But there are also those moments of calm, when the doors close after a long day, or when the children are all asleep for an...
What to expect when working in childcare
Have you ever considered working in childcare but don’t know what to expect? Maybe you’re a parent returning to work, or a school leaver seeking their first apprentice placement, or maybe you just want a change of scene, and childcare appeals....
Black History Month
Why celebrate Black History Month? When we think about British history, most of us remember what we were taught in schools – Roman Britain, the Magna Carta, Henry VIII, the sinking of the Titanic and the impact on Britain of the World Wars. It’s...
Cyber security tips
‘Cyber security’ is the technology, processes, and practices designed and put in place to protect networks, devices, computer programmes and data from attack, damage, or unauthorised access. It can also be referred to as ‘information technology...
National Eye Health Week
What would you do if you lost your sight? How would it affect your lifestyle, your independence and income? And what impact would it have on your dependents, family and friends? Most of us don’t think about this often, but once a year, National...
The importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for your staff
At this time of year, when GCSEs and A levels are finished, results are out and the focus is on recruiting those who have just completed their education, it can be easy to overlook the importance of improving the knowledge of those already...
Roald Dahl Day
Most people know Roald Dahl was a children’s author – but did you know that he was also a “spy, ace fighter pilot, chocolate historian and a medical inventor?” Then read on to discover more about his life and legacy, and join millions of others...
Eczema – nutritional advice and lifestyle tips for your setting
Throughout your career as an early years professional, it is very likely that you will have at least one child in your care that suffers with eczema. It can be distressing for many children, and for some - in severe cases - painful. You and...
Heritage Open Days – celebrating history and culture!
If you have ever walked past an old building or historic house and garden and wondered what history lies behind those doors, or what life might have been like for those that lived there in years gone by, you may be able to find out this month!...
International Talk Like A Pirate Day
Last month, we celebrated National Playday and National Colouring Book Day, and earlier in the year was International Women’s Day and Safer Internet Day. So, I know you’ll all be wondering about this month’s awareness day. There’s lots of fun to...
World Sepsis Day
Sepsis is a major health problem which negatively impacts the lives of many people across the globe. It affects between 27–30 million people each year, and of those, between 6 and 9 million people die as a result. But the most worrying statistic...
Summer holidays on a budget – my summer scrapbook
The summer always seems to be a long time coming. Yet, when it eventually arrives, it can be daunting for those parents who have to think about entertaining their little ones during the holidays (as well as trying to keep their creative and...
Healthy cold food for the perfect teddy bears’ picnic
“If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise If you go down in the woods today, you’d better go in disguise For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain Because today’s the day the teddy bears have their...
National Colouring Book Day
What will you do on 2nd August? Change a few nappies? Get stuck in traffic? Struggle to get everyone out of the door on time? Chances are that you might be doing at least a few activities that could cause you some anxiety or stress. But did you...
How to potty train a child during the summer months
What is your policy on potty training? Do you insist that children are independent and potty trained before you accept them? Or do you only allow training pants until the child is potty trained? However you look at it, nurseries deal with...
Fun summer food activities
As Nat King Cole once sang: “Roll out those, lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer Those days of soda and pretzels and beer!” Yes, summer has finally arrived, the mercury levels are rising on the thermometers and we can look forward to a cool...
National Simplicity Day
When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses?Yesterday? Last week? Or so long ago you can’t really remember? Have you EVER stopped to smell the roses? Or is the thought of switching off from daily life, unplugging from the internet and...
Festival of British Archaeology
Have you ever wondered how we know about the dinosaurs? Or what the walls of an ancient building can tell us about the people who lived there? Or what an archaeologist does apart from dig? Well this year, the British Festival of Archaeology,...
Sensory archaeology craft
You will need: For the sand: corn meal brown sugar oil For the water: clear or blue jelly For dinosaur bones: decorating icing sugar You will also need: other decorative parts like shells, chocolate eggs, or anything you like! a clear container...
Nursery graduation
Although kindergarten graduation ceremonies have been taking place in America for around 50 years, the nursery graduation ceremony is still relatively new to the UK, but is definitely growing in popularity! July is the month when thousands of...
The Importance of a well-considered transition
It is a busy time of year for EYFS settings particularly reception class teachers as they help their current classes prepare for life after the EYFS curriculum and that all important transition to Year 1, ensuring they have met the Early...
International Friendship Day
July 30th is the United Nation’s International Friendship Day. Officially proclaimed in 2011, it is aimed at promoting friendships between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals to “inspire peace efforts and build bridges between...
Hygge in the early years – what’s it all about?
Pebbles Childcare is in the process of undertaking training, in order to become a ‘hygge’-accredited setting. Hygge (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is essentially a feeling of cosiness and comfort that sparks feelings of contentment and...
7 tips for nystagmus success in the classroom
Having just released my book “Can I Tell You About Nystagmus?” I jumped at the chance of being able to raise the awareness around the condition, in support of Nystagmus Awareness Day, 20th June 2019. For those who don’t know, nystagmus is an...
Drowning Prevention Week
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children in the UK, and every year, over 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland; approximately one person every 10 hours. According to the Royal Life Saving Society’s Director of...
Father’s Day stick puppet craft
You will need: White paper A printer Colouring pens/pencils/markers Scissors Lolly sticks Glue 1. Download our free template here: bit.ly/fathersdaytemplate, once downloaded, print it. 2. Colour in the template with pens, pencils or markers, in...
