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The FSF is five years old next month (on Valentines day, Feb 14th, since you ask), which seems incredible to the old timers amongst us! To celebrate we've given our logo a bit of a shine up, amongst other things. If you'd like a quick peep back in time at what we looked like when we first started, click here to see a snapshot courtesy of archive.org!
We're delighted that Stockton-on-Tees local authority is renewing its participation in the scheme for the second year, and that Essex is renewing for the third year. Current members from these authorities need do nothing; their account subscriptions will automatically be renewed.
Topics Support: Around the World
More ideas and downloadable focus activities together with a booklist and mindmap.
CCLD 301 (Part 3) Knowledge Specification
Number 3 in the new NVQ3 series, covering sections K3C173 - K3C180.
Topics Support: People Who Help Us
Another topic support article on a favourite theme, with 12 focus activity sheets, a booklist and a mindmap.
Putting disabled children 'In the Picture'
A description of a project popular with FSF members, designed to encourage the incorporation of images of disabled children into story books
If anything the variety of topics is going up, and has made for some great discussion this past month! Here is a selection of conversations that caught my eye recently:
eProfile national data
"...Is there anywhere I can get national data to compare my cohort against? I am looking for data for each scale point in each subject area..."
Managing staff and children ratios
"...I wonder if any one can give me any feedback on the requirements about mainting adult:child ratios as this has become quite an issue at the pre-school i work in. We have 2 rooms normallly staffed by 3:21 if a staff member had to leave the room for a break would we not be meetiong the standards? Is it ok that thety are still on the premisis but not in the room..."
Boys v. Girls
"...Can anyone suggest how i explain to staff the reasons for not grouping children according to gender? I know we should not be doing this but have been involved in an assignment on difference and diversity but it is such a huge subject that I wondered if there was a short sweet acceptable explanation for staff who continually say "all the boys line up"..."
Can anyone help with an over affectionate child?
"... I have been looking after a 3 year old girl who has always been extremely tactile and affectionate toward me and any other adult that she meets, to the point where it can be a bit uncomfortable . This isn't inappropriate touching, just lots of hugging, hand grabbing, sitting on knees, climbing all over you kind of thing..."
Development matters,the new EYFS and assessment
"... now that the stepping stones have been changed to age related steps isn't this quite dangerous? One conversation I have had in discussing a piece of writing completed by a reception child which showed some recognisable letters and meaning put them 10 months behind where they should be in relation to their age ..."
EYPS confusion
"...I had a training day on the standards months ago and we looked at them... we were advised to write a paragraph for each standard in the first person and to then cross-reference it with the written tasks... So this weekend I ... produced a vast amount of these paragraphs, yet when I decide to flick through my Assessment guidance booklet it completely contradicts this. In horror I read through it and there is no mention of writing a paragraph (actually 3 we were told) for each ..."
Everything goes in his mouth - any ideas?
"... We have a 3 year old that comes come a very disturbed home. He has 2 other siblings aged 4 & 5.
He is very angry goes round knocking down chairs when he gets tired. towards the end of the session. That's not too much of a problem because he responds to a cuddle. Absolutely everything goes in his mouth. Whilst I don't want to encourage this how do i meet his needs. ..."
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