Children experience space and time differently from adults. Their interactions with an environment are shaped by what they see, hear, and feel—but also by what they have learned to notice or ignore. From birth, children are constantly filtering sensory input, making sense of the world around them. When designing learning environments, the most important question […]
Walk into any nursery across the country, and you’ll see them—the boys who burst through the door full of energy, curiosity, and endless questions. The ones who struggle to sit still, who turn everything into a game, who climb before they calculate the risk. And too often, you’ll also hear the words that follow them: […]
Nurseries are busy places, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of just ‘getting through the day’. As Early Years professionals, we rightfully focus on creating a nurturing environment for the children in our setting, but do we also focus on nurturing our staff? Embedding a supportive coaching culture into our nurseries can really […]
Supporting children with SEND is about so much more than ticking boxes and writing plans. The real impact happens in those everyday moments. It’s in the way we respond when a child is overwhelmed, how we adapt an activity on the spot, or the small tweaks we make to help a child feel included. Plans […]
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in understanding the importance of teaching self-regulation skills to children in Early Years settings and it is now widely recognised that equipping children with their own strategies for managing emotions and behaviours is essential for their development. However, we must also acknowledge the expectation placed on […]
Hello 2025! The New Year is here, offering a perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey so far and refocus your plans and strategies for the months ahead. For all Early years settings, January is the ideal time to start with a fresh focus, plan for success, and ensure your team is prepared to tackle […]
Up to 50% of children starting reception are still in nappies or pull-ups. Some parents are being called into school up to five times a day to address their child’s toileting accidents. They have had to either give up work or remove their child altogether. Dispelling the myth of lazy parenting The usual critical voices […]
Early years education in England has become increasingly significant as research highlights the crucial role of the first five years in a child’s life. These early years are foundational for lifelong learning, development, and well-being. Early years professionals play a critical role in this process, making it a rewarding yet demanding career. With the growing […]
As educators and leaders in the Early Years sector, we understand the profound challenges that come with nurturing young minds. With 20 years of experience in this field, I recognize the stress and anxiety that can arise from the demands of our roles—managing diverse needs, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting our teams while striving […]
As an Early Years consultant and trainer with over 25 years of experience, I’ve come to understand one essential truth: a manager’s ability to stay connected with what is happening on the ground can make or break a setting. In the whirlwind of administrative duties, paperwork, and unforeseen issues, it’s easy to lose sight of […]
As a nursery owner, you’ve got enough on your plate with managing staff, overseeing day-to-day operations, and providing quality care for children, but with the Labour Government’s 100-Day Pledge and the 60 upcoming changes to employment law, staying compliant may feel like yet another challenge. At Gateway HR, we’re here to help you stay informed […]
Music and movement are not just fun activities for children; they are foundational elements of early learning that support a range of developmental areas. But have you ever considered how your team’s personal experiences with these activities, both as children and as educators, shape their confidence and creativity in the classroom? Understanding these experiences is […]
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