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 […]
Risk assessments are crucial for ensuring safety in early years environments, but too often they become just another box to tick. Understanding their true purpose is essential for protecting children, staff, families, and the business itself. A robust risk assessment process not only identifies potential hazards but also provides actionable steps to mitigate them, making […]
The Aesthetics: More Than Just a Pretty Picture In the early years, we often find ourselves creating visually appealing activities, whether it’s a beautifully arranged tuff spot or an inviting table-top setup. These attractive displays can certainly capture the children’s attention and spark their interest, and there’s nothing wrong with that! However, we must be […]
Change can be unsettling, but it can also be the catalyst for positive transformation. In the early years sector, a shift appears to be underway as Ofsted introduces more updates to its Early Years Inspection Handbook, effective from January 19, 2024. These changes have been prompted by the tragedy surrounding Ruth Perry, do they signal […]
As 2023 ushered in crucial changes in early years legislation, it’s vital that, as an early years provider, you revisit your policies. The updated regulations and guidance, surrounding areas such as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Prevent Duty, require us to have a proactive approach to get things right not only from a […]
Imagine a roadmap for improving education, especially for children who need extra support. That’s what the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) review is all about! In March 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) shared its thoughts on how to make things better in a document called ‘Right Support, Right Place, Right Time’. This review […]
With the latest amendments coming into force in January of 2024, we’ve seen many changes to the Ofsted Early Years Inspection Handbook over the years. In this blog, we travel back to September 2019 to discover what these differences look like and what you can expect. The Learning Walk With every Ofsted inspection comes a […]
What is a language-rich environment? It’s a term we hear a lot in the early years, particularly by Ofsted, but what does it actually mean? A language-rich environment in a childcare setting means more than just having a lot of words on display. It’s about creating a fun and talkative space! Instead of just reading, […]
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