Links to various sites are grouped into a number of categories which can be found by clicking the headings below. Alternatively, if you just want to browse generally, just scroll down this page.
If there are other categories you feel should be included, or you would like to nominate your site for inclusion, please email us.
Information sites
Resources & Materials
Seeking Childcare
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Pedagogical Choice
Location specific sites
DfES - Main Government Education website, with sections for early years education, and containing all the main consultations that dictate future strategy
QCA - The qualifications and curriculum authority determines what has to be covered by everything down to foundation stage settingsOfsted - All inspection reports for Ofsted registered nursery settings are available here, as well as information on the inspection process itself.
SureStart - SureStart aims to improve the health and well-being of families and children before and from birth, so children are ready to flourish when they go to school.
TeacherNet - A good informative education site, although mainly for Keystage 2 education onwards.
Playgroup Network - A national educational charity which is committed to supporting its members with advice, news, training and insurance as well as access to other professional bodies in the growing field of early years care and education. The aim of the association is to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by encouraging parents and carers to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups.
PAT - The Professional Association of Teachers is also responsible for PANN, the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses
The Daycare Trust - The Daycare Trust is a national childcare charity, with an active programme of events and seminars, and a free information service for parents.
NCMA - The National Childminders Association represents childminders through the UK
NGFL - The National Grid for Learning is a comprehensive, although slightly dense and confusing site for all things education in the UK
NCB - The National Children's Bureau is a charitable institution which works with the government on all aspects of childcare and children's education
Sparklebox is a resources site, with a rapidly growing bank of downloadable materials that have proved very popular with our members. Many (over half according to the site, although we haven't counted ourselves!) are free, some may be bought individually, and there are also school subscription and premium account options.
Community Playthings have an excellent reputation for supplying quality children's toys, furniture and other educational products, mainly beautifully hand made from wood. They offer a free classroom layout service, and have an excellent site with articles and other resources.
Nicola Call's site, has some excellent mini articles and includes 'Brain Gym' style products for sale
www.underfives.co.uk - Digital (downloadable) resources such as planning formats, worksheets, themes and craft ideas.
The StoryArts site is a great source of inspiration for all aspects of storytelling, for all age groups.
ICT in the Foundation Years - great site with an analysis of lots of hardware and software suitable for children
This educational software evaluation site gives advice and assistance to practitioners and teachers
DATEC - The Institute of Education's site giving guidance materials for early years practitioners on using ICT to enhance educational opportunities for young children
EYE (Early Years Experience) - source of ideas and activities for young children
There are many listings organisations in the UK, and some are stronger in some parts of the country than others - none are comprehensive. The first organisation below, Childcarelink, is funded by the government nationally, to provide listings. Others cover only a part of the country or are private organisations. The reason for giving a number is that for your part of the country, you may find that some are better informed than others.
Childcarelink is a listings organisation which covers the country, and gives contact information for most of the main nursery settings.
Nurseryplace An alternative national listings organisation
UK Day Nurseries - another national listings organisation
Kites: A listings organisation covering only East Sussex, but giving excellent coverage of that part of the country.
Inclusive Technology: A very useful site for professionals looking for SEN ICT resources, Inclusive Technology have many and varied products, including articles and software appropriate for PMLD.
SEN & ICT Training resources: have also been made available by Inclusive Technology (see above) following the completion of their NOF funded training program.
Talking point: covers speech, language and communication difficulties in children and offers a parents and a professionals area.
SEN information source: Here the DfES has a site dedicated to SEN
NASEN: the National Association for Special Educational Needs.
The National Autistic society (NAS): Plenty of information and resources on Autism and Aspergers syndrome
Autism UK: (mailing list and support group)
ASD Friendly: A great little forum, recently established, for parents of children with ASD. Give the link to any of your parents who need support and understanding. Light hearted, informative, and with a membership of people who know what they're talking about...
Within early years and primary education, there are several different philosophies and practical approaches. These revolve around beliefs concerning how best to nurture and develop children within a pastoral and educational framework. It can be difficult to understand and evaluate these systems, as the adherents of each, quite naturally, will favour their own. The following are three popular alternatives and listed here solely to enable users to get access to further information:
The Homepage for the Rudolph Steiner movement can be found here.
The Homepage for the Montessori mvement can be found here.
Although there is no central website, a good starting point for the Reggio Emilia movement can be found here.
The National Grid for Learning has a good informative Early Years site with a Scottish emphasis - you can find it here
A site with some good resources and information, including planning templates can be found here