This blog has been written with the help of industry expert and early years teacher Gemma Unsworth. Gemma’s 18 years’ worth of early years teaching experience includes her roles as KS1 manager, local authority moderator and early years special leader of education (SLE) for the North West. In this post she describes her experience in implementing outdoor learning and offers her tips and advice. Follow Gemma on Instagram for further inspiration and activity ideas for outdoor learning. “The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”... Read More

This blog has been written with the help of one of our industry experts, Helen Gill, a highly experienced Physiotherapist with a history working in the health, wellness and fitness industry. She has obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physiotherapy and holds a Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage. She shares 5 fun and entertaining activities to develop gross motor skills in infants, toddlers and preschoolers. What are gross motor skills? As we start to move out of lockdown, our children will be allowed to participate in a wider... Read More

This blog has been written with the help of our industry expert, Georgina Durrant, a former teacher/Special Educational Needs Coordinator and founder of The SEN Resources Blog. She shares with us her favourite sensory play activities for children with special needs which are guaranteed to stimulate the senses, keep children engaged and ignite their creativity and imagination. What is Sensory Play and Why is it Important? Sensory play is wonderful and a firm favourite activity for many children! It’s not only enjoyable for lots of children but it can also... Read More

This article has been written by Rachel Macbeth-Webb, a level 3 Forest trained practitioner, co-founder and manager of Beatle Woods, an Outstanding Ofsted setting and the first completely outdoor nursery in Solihull. In this post she shares her insights into Forest School and the importance of outdoor learning. For more information about Rachel and Beatle Woods, visit their website. What is Forest School? Forest school is a long-term sustained approach to outdoor learning which seeks to encourage and motivate children to be actively engaged with their outdoor environment and foster... Read More

The benefits of play are immeasurable, but what we do know is that play helps children grow into strong, healthy, happy individuals. Sand play offers a multitude of benefits for early years, it is an open-ended activity that can support personal, social and emotional development as well as offering hours of unrestricted fun. An emerging concern amongst early year’s educators and parents is ensuring sand play is safe and hygienic. Tips for Keeping Sand Play Safe during COVID-19 Read on for our top tips to make sand play safe and... Read More

Celebrating Ramadan in Your Setting Teaching children about different cultures and festivals that are celebrated by people and communities around the globe is a fantastic way for kids to learn about the diverse world we live in. Ramadan is a precious time for Muslims all over the world and with Ramadan coming up what better way to celebrate this special Holy Month than with beautiful Ramadan-themed crafts. We hope you have a blast creating these wonderful activities! What is Ramadan? In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim... Read More

By John Hopley, Creative Steps Editor & EYR Industry Expert. Arts & Crafts have tremendous benefits for the development of young children, and not just in a creative sense. You only have to look at the plethora of craft activities many turned to during ‘lockdown’ to realise the wider wellbeing benefits of creative pursuits, as highlighted by shows such as Grayson’s Art Club and Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Lockdown Craft Club’. Creative activities for children are, of course, great for incorporating the Expressive Arts & Design element of the EYFS and the Exploration & Using Mixed Media &... Read More

  This article has been written by Jen Kinsman, EYR Industry Expert, mum of two, and youth theatre leader. In the below she shares her ideas on how imaginative play supports emotional resilience. For more from Jen, visit her Twitter or blog Raising2Children Have you ever felt drained, overwhelmed, or frustrated about a job and all you hear is, “you just need to be more resilient?” I’m glad to say evidence-based research can significantly change those opinions. Resilience is a skill we develop over time with the right kind of... Read More