Early Years

Monday

30th Jun 2025

Why leaders need to spend more time in the early years
To truly understand the issues early years teachers are facing, school leaders need to engage more deeply with this stage of education, writes Julian Grenier
Small boy playing with puzzle pieces

Tuesday

3rd Jun 2025

Why oral language is the key to learning to write
Building children’s oral language, along with their motor skills, will make the challenge of learning to write less intimidating, explains Julian Grenier
oral language learning to write

Thursday

22nd May 2025

Is this the way to close the early years attainment gap?
Boys eligible for free school meals aren’t reaching a good level of development as often as their peers, writes Sarah Charlton – but there are practices that can help
early years attainment gap gingerbread man

Saturday

3rd May 2025

Why we must hold on to the ‘magic’ of the early years
In the push to see more children reach a good level of development, we can’t forget the intangible benefits of patience, persistence and empathy in EYFS, writes Julian Grenier
Why we must hold on to the ‘magic’ of the early years

Tuesday

11th Mar 2025

Where we’re going wrong with science in early years
Closing the attainment gap in science for disadvantaged young people will require a more nuanced approach in EYFS, argues Julian Grenier
Test tubes with building blocks

Sunday

16th Feb 2025

How to improve verbal skills in EYFS
The impact of developing confidence around talk is enormous, writes Julian Grenier – so how can we help our youngest learners in this vital area?
How to improve verbal skills in EYFS

Tuesday

14th Jan 2025

How to meet the needs of left-handers in EYFS
The world is set up for the right-handed, writes Julian Grenier, so we need to champion left-handed children in the early years
How to meet the needs of left-handers in EYFS

Monday

30th Dec 2024

Problem solving in early maths: 3 simple teaching tips
Teaching strategies for problem solving is one of five approaches recommended by the Education Endowment Foundation to support young children’s maths development – and here’s how to do it
Problem-solving in early maths: 3 simple teaching tips

Tuesday

24th Dec 2024

EYFS: How ditching our maths scheme is transforming teaching
Prescriptive schemes may make teaching seem simpler, says Helen Pinnington, but they can disconnect staff from vital skills
Numbered cans bean bag

Thursday

19th Dec 2024

Stigma, safeguarding and social change: toilet training in early years
Staff report increasing numbers of children starting school without being toilet trained – but the issue is complex and requires careful consideration, writes Julian Grenier
Learner plate potty training

Monday

2nd Dec 2024

What school-based nurseries need to consider about disadvantage
Applications to create new early years provision must show how the least advantaged will be catered for, explains Julian Grenier
What school-based nurseries need to consider about disadvantage

Tuesday

26th Nov 2024

Dangerous staff ratios are putting EYFS children at risk
The legal minimum staff ratios for the early years are shockingly insufficient, writes this teacher, and overstretched budgets mean they are likely to be seen more often
Dangerous staff ratios are putting EYFS children at risk