We're delighted to welcome Bath and North East Somerset and Herefordshire councils to the local authority subscription scheme. If you work in Wandsworth and would like to take out a free subscription, please find the relevant information page from the link below. Additionally, we're very pleased to let you know that Islington and Leicestershire are renewing its participation in the scheme for the second year, and Dudley, Suffolk, Hampshire and Blackpool are renewing for the third year. Current members from these authorities need do nothing; their account subscriptions will automatically be renewed.

To find out more about the LA subscription scheme and which authorities currently participate, please visit this page.

New: Apr 29, 2008

Topics Support: Minibeasts
Minibeasts - the perfect theme for spring and summer!

New: Apr 21, 2008

Educational Pioneers: Loris Malaguzzi, 1920-1994
A brief history and summary of the theories and practical aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach.

New: Apr 16, 2008

Cheerful or Cheerless Childminding in the face of EYFS Challenges?
Advice on how childminders can tackle the EYFS as it fast approaches. Don't worry, be happy!

Featured article: Snacks and lunches for early years children

... The healthy eating guidelines that have been set for older children and adults are not totally suitable for small children, but they can be used as a guide to help you to work towards healthy eating as the children grow up. Children need to eat foods from all of the main food groups:

Bread, other cereals and potatoes to provide carbohydrate, fibre, calcium, iron and B vitamins. It is best to choose a mixture of white and wholegrain products.
Fruits and vegetables - these foods provide vitamin C, folate, potassium, fibre and important antioxidants. This includes fresh, dried, frozen, canned and juice - children need to eat a variety.
Meat, fish and alternatives - these foods provide protein, iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B12. Children need to eat a variety of poultry, red meat, fish and oily fish, or alternatives. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for health and nervous system development. The oily fish are a particularly good source of these fats and should be offered along with white fish at least twice a week. Some examples of oily fish included sardines, trout, salmon (canned and fresh) and mackerel, and fresh tuna (but not canned tuna).
Foods containing fat and foods containing sugar - these should be given infrequently and then in conjunction with a variety of other foods...

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Featured article:The Early Years Foundation Stage is Like an Onion!

... There is nothing in the Early Years Foundation Stage to suggest practitioners should 'force learning', but you will find plenty of evidence to suggest child-initiated learning where practitioners are encouraged to take their lead from the children in their care and to plan next steps and experiential learning through play, based on these child-led observations. It is perfectly acceptable for example for a child to enjoy chilling out in front of the television with their childminder parent or guardian after a busy day. In doing so, a child's physical well-being is being taken care of (unique child 1.4) in that they are allowed to rest and relax as they watch television, maybe they have chosen their own programme and in doing so the adult has respected their choice (positive relationships 2.1) thus meeting the needs of their emotional well-being (unique child 1.4). If they are sharing the experience with their 'key person', perhaps snuggled up on the couch, warm and trusting relationships are being built and the child is reassured that they are loved, safe and cared for (positive relationships 2.3 and 2.4). Maybe they are enjoying a healthy snack (unique child 1.4) as they watch one of the fun-filled educational programmes such as 'Something Special' and 'Number jacks' (learning and development 4.4) on Ceebeebies...

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Forum Conversation Piece

PEST analysis :
".. Trying to wade through elements of business planning. I'm stuck on the first part - PEST analysis.

This stands for Political, Economic, Social and Technological aspects which affect our settings. Have to look at external factors which will affect the future of our setting.
I have listed a few government initiatives regarding childcare and education, but a bit stuck on the social and economic parts. Any help gratefully received. Many thanks... "
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