Welcome to the June newsletter!

...and apologies that there has been a little break since the last one. A fairly complex site upgrade and the half-term break seem to have conspired against us.

We're back and running on all cylinders now, however, and hopefully you can see the improvements to the forum area as a result! Incidentally, we discovered an issue with the Gallery recently, which meant that a small number of local authority members were unable to access it for a while. I'd just like to let you know that this is now resolved.

With all the recent emphasis on the EYFS, I'd like to recommend that you take a look at the recording development in the EYFS article (listed below), which has a link to a full set of EYFS format individual child records. NOT a tick list, as the article makes clear!

The FSF Local Authority scheme

We're delighted to welcome Brighton and Hove early years providers to the FSF. Teachers, practitioners and other providers from B&H are now able to join free of charge. Additionally we're delighted that Middlesbrough is renewing their participation in the scheme - current members need do nothing; their subscriptions will automatically be renewed.

New Content

Educational Pioneers: Friedrich Froebel
Third in the 'Educational Pioneers' series.

Clemmie's Column - Invasion of the Cuddly Toys (18 - 20 months)
Clemmie's got the toys organised and under control. Next step, number 10...

Recording children's learning and development in the EYFS
Devising a straightforward method of tracking children's learning and development in the new curriculum.

Forum Topics

As usual here's a selection of conversations that have caught our eye this month:

Additional Guidance On Completing FSP Assessments
A new document developed by the NAA is posted here.

EYFS Planning
"... Hi - have had the go ahead from partnership teachers to use the EYFS from September. I have my planning format in place, but like to cut and paste the learning intentions on the planning. Also I would like a tracking sheet for each child on their development (not to use as a tick chart)..."

Contracts with Parents
"...Does anyone have a written contract for parents to sign when their childs starts at the setting? My chairperson has asked me to post, because when we go back in September we hope to open more afternoon sessions. Our problem is that we have to be out of the building by 2.50 pm so that the after school club can set up. At the moment we have one parent who is constantly late to pick up her child after our only pm session and this is making it difficult for us to get out on time. We wondered if it would be an idea to start as we mean to go on and have a contract and give it out to all parents in Sept..."

Continuous Provision Links To BTTM
"...Does anyone have any plans for continuous provision that show links to the Birth to Three Framework rather than the Foundation Stage area of learning? I've run off all the wonderful sheets already provided on here and am going to use them as a starting point for devising some for the EYFS - just wondered if anyone has linked any to BTTM that I could refer to as well?..."

Cursive Writing, Anyone follow a scheme?
"...We want to introduce cursive writing throughout the school starting from September. Does anyone follow a particular scheme or recommend anything we can use?..."

Tips and Tricks

Local Authority advisers participating in the LA scheme can now email all FSF members from their area with announcements and other information. Contact us for details.

With more conversation than you can hold in one hand, we're still ready for more. Here at www.foundation-stage.info - The Foundation Stage Forum!