Running a Setting
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...
Diabetes Week
What comes to mind when you think of diabetes? Older and more obese people? Insulin injections? Poor eyesight? A life without chocolate?All these things have been associated with diabetes in the past, and some still are today; but is this all...
Learning Disability Week
Can you imagine how your life would be different if you had a learning disability? How would it affect you and the lives of the people you love? Maybe you’d find it more difficult to live independently? Perhaps everyday tasks that we all take...
Encouraging role-play with young children
Children learn by playing. They first observe - listening and watching others; then they copy – imitating the people around them. And when they are able, they experiment. That’s when they learn to ask, and answer, new questions – not “what is...
Deaf Awareness Week
In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 6 people (approximately 11 million people) are deaf or hard of hearing. Deafness is the third most common disability in the world, but you would be hard-pressed to spot a deaf person in a crowd. Most deaf...
Viral Meningitis Awareness Week
The first full week in May (6th – 12th) is Viral Meningitis Awareness Week. It’s run by the charity, Meningitis Now, as an annual event aimed at “stopping lives being lost through meningitis and to make sure that sufferers and survivors get...
How to teach creative writing to children
The capacity to think creatively - for instance, in creative writing - forms the basis of self-expression. However, many parents and teachers would agree that creative writing for children is one of the many areas that can be neglected in...
The London Marathon and the importance of charity
How do you fancy running 26 miles around the streets of London, dressed as a giant chicken, in whatever the British weather has to throw at you? For thousands of people, that is what they will be doing on Sunday 28th April this year, as the...
Ways to celebrate St George’s Day
On Tuesday 23rd April, England will celebrate their Patron Saint Day and the heroic figure of St George will be remembered up and down the country. Flags bearing the familiar red cross on a white background, will be flown from many a windowsill...
Achieving Ofsted success
Alison Bates, founder of 4 nursery schools in Leicestershire, tells us about her experience and offers advice to others on achieving Ofsted success. How did you start? Childcare is my second career. I spent 20 years in finance until I had my...
Sensory Nature Adventures and Play with the Sensory Trust
written by Madeleine Amos For children with disabilities and their families, going out and being in nature can seem a daunting prospect. In response, Sensory Trust, a charity that creates accessible and engaging outdoor experiences, have...
Write a letter to The Queen
Have you ever thought about writing a letter to The Queen? What would you say? How would you address it? And since The Queen has multiple residences, where would you send it?Every year, The Queen receives tens of thousands of letters, not only...
Easter activities – keeping kids busy
by Laura Anne Sutcliffe The Easter holidays mean some much needed down time in our house and the first significant holiday since Christmas, half term, always goes so quickly! As a teacher, I know I am fortunate to have time off with my children...
National Autism Awareness Month
April is National Autism Awareness Month and the first week, (1–7th), is World Autism Awareness Week. Across the globe, people who have autism, carers, parents, teachers, family and friends will come together to raise money for research and...
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Sunday 17th March is St Patrick’s Day – the patron saint of Ireland, but it is not only in the ‘emerald isle’ that this day is cherished and celebrated as it’s reported that St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other...
Tips to encourage young readers
Helping young children discover the joy of reading is one of the great pleasures of being an early years practitioner. Sharing stories, discovering letters and learning the alphabet and phonics are the first steps in helping each child on the...
