About This Early Years Education Blog

Who This Blog Is For

This blog is for everyone who cares about the early years:

• Parents and carers of babies, toddlers and preschoolers
• Early years practitioners in nurseries, preschools and childminding settings
• Infant and primary teachers working in Reception and Key Stage 1
• Teaching assistants, SENCOs and school leaders in UK primary schools
• Students and trainees exploring early childhood education

If you support children from birth to age 7 and want fresh, practical ideas grounded in play and child development, this is your space.

What This Blog Is About

This blog is dedicated to early childhood education in the UK, with a strong focus on:

• Infant school and preschool life – the everyday moments that shape children’s learning
• Early learning and child development – what helps young children grow, think and thrive
• Play-based learning – how play builds language, thinking, social skills and confidence
• Practical classroom activities – tried-and-tested ideas you can use straight away
• Parent resources for home – simple, low-cost ways to support learning beyond school
• Building school–home partnerships – strengthening connections across the community

Everything is written with UK early years and primary education in mind, reflecting frameworks like the EYFS and early Key Stage 1 practice, while remaining accessible and relevant to families and educators everywhere.

Our Approach to Early Childhood Education

Child-Centred and Developmentally Informed

The early years are a unique stage of life. Here, you will find content that:

• Respects children’s individual pace of development
• Recognises the importance of secure relationships and emotional wellbeing
• Supports the development of language, communication and early literacy
• Nurtures curiosity, creativity and critical thinking from the very start
• Values play and exploration as powerful paths to learning

Stories, ideas and resources are linked to key areas of child development, such as:

• Physical development and coordination
• Social and emotional skills
• Communication and language
• Early literacy and numeracy
• Executive function (attention, memory, self-regulation)

Play-Based, Hands-On Learning

This blog champions play-based learning across infant and preschool settings, as well as in Reception and the early primary years.

You will find:

• Open-ended play ideas that allow children to lead and experiment
• Invitations to play using simple materials from home or the classroom
• Outdoor learning activities that make the most of school grounds, local parks and gardens
• Role-play and small world setups that build language and social skills
• Creative and sensory experiences that support regulation and engagement

Each activity is designed to be:

• Easy to set up – with clear steps and minimal preparation
• Flexible – adaptable for mixed ages and different needs
• Inclusive – with ideas for differentiation and support

Inclusive and Relationship-Focused

High-quality early years practice is inclusive and built on strong relationships. Throughout the blog, you will see a commitment to:

• Welcoming all families and children, including those with SEND
• Respecting cultural, linguistic and family diversity
• Encouraging positive behaviour through connection, not fear or shame
• Listening to children’s voices, choices and interests

The aim is to support environments where every child feels seen, safe and capable.

What You Will Find on the Blog

Practical Classroom Activities

For teachers and practitioners in infant schools, nurseries and Reception classes, there are:

• Step-by-step activity guides for small groups and whole class sessions
• Continuous provision ideas for indoor and outdoor areas
• Topic-based suggestions (e.g. seasons, transport, traditional tales)
• EYFS and KS1 links to learning goals and curriculum areas
• Assessment prompts – what to observe, note and celebrate

Examples include:

• Play-based phonics and early reading activities
• Early maths experiences using real objects and play scenarios
• Science and early STEM explorations through curiosity and investigation
• Creative arts and music invitations to inspire expression

Home Learning and Parent Resources

For parents and carers, the blog offers:

• Play ideas using everyday household items
• Simple routines and rhythms that support calm, connected family life
• Reading and storytelling tips to make the most of books and talk
• Guides to early milestones in language, motor skills and social development
• Support for transitions – starting nursery, preschool or Reception

Resources are written in clear, parent-friendly language and focus on what really matters: connection, time together and everyday experiences over expensive toys or complex setups.

Stories from Infant and Preschool Life

Real experiences bring theory and guidance to life. You will find:

• Snapshots from classrooms and settings – what worked, what changed, what we noticed
• Reflections on tricky moments such as separation anxiety, big emotions or friendship struggles
• Success stories where play or a small adjustment made a big difference
• Voices from the school community – teachers, support staff, parents and sometimes children

These stories aim to:

• Reassure you that challenges are normal and shared
• Offer practical strategies informed by real practice
• Celebrate the small, everyday victories that shape early learning

Supporting the Wider School Community

Strengthening Home–School Partnerships

Healthy early learning environments grow from strong connections between:

• Families and schools
• Teachers and support staff
• Leadership and the wider community

This blog shares:

• Ideas for family workshops and stay-and-play sessions
• Strategies for communicating with parents about learning in a clear, respectful way
• Approaches to sharing progress and observations beyond formal reports
• Tips for making home learning suggestions manageable and realistic

Professional Reflection and Collaboration

For early years professionals, there are opportunities to:

• Reflect on practice, pedagogy and classroom culture
• Consider how to balance playful learning and curriculum expectations
• Explore ways to support children with additional needs in inclusive environments
• Share and adapt ideas with colleagues in your own settings

The blog aims to be a practical companion to your professional judgement, not a set of rigid rules.

Our Values

This space is guided by a few simple but important values:

Respect for Childhood

Early childhood is not just preparation for the “real” learning of later years. It is a vital stage in its own right. The blog champions:

• Time for play, wonder and discovery
• Learning that starts from children’s interests and questions
• Classrooms and homes that feel warm, safe and joyful

Evidence-Informed, Practice-Led

Content is influenced by:

• Established research in child development and early education
• UK frameworks such as the EYFS and guidance for Key Stage 1
• The day-to-day reality of working with infants and preschoolers

Ideas are always translated into practical steps that work in real homes and classrooms, with real constraints on time, space and resources.

Accessibility and Simplicity

You do not need specialist equipment or a large budget. Activities use:

• Everyday items from home, school and the natural world
• Clear, simple instructions with room for adaptation
• Suggestions for different age groups and abilities

The goal is to help you feel, “I can try this tomorrow,” rather than overwhelm you with complex plans.

How to Use This Blog

For Parents and Carers

Use the blog to:

• Find quick play ideas for busy days
• Understand more about what your child is learning at nursery, preschool or infant school
• Get reassurance and guidance on common early childhood challenges
• Discover ways to connect with your child through play, stories and routines

You can dip into posts whenever you have a spare moment, or follow a theme (for example, early reading or outdoor play) over time.

For Teachers and Early Years Practitioners

Use the blog to:

• Refresh your continuous provision and planning with new ideas
• Adapt activities for mixed-age groups and diverse needs
• Strengthen communication with families by sharing simple, consistent messages
• Support new staff or trainees with clear, example-rich explanations

You can treat the blog as a living bank of ideas to return to when you are planning, reflecting or looking for a new angle on familiar topics.

For the Wider School Community

Leadership teams, governors and community partners can use the blog to:

• Better understand the experience of infant and preschool life
• Support joined-up approaches from nursery through Key Stage 1
• Develop family engagement strategies rooted in respect and practicality

Looking Ahead

The blog will continue to grow with:

• New activity ideas and resource round-ups
• Fresh stories from classrooms and homes
• Deeper dives into key topics such as behaviour, language development and inclusion

The long-term aim is to build a supportive online space where UK parents, teachers and the wider school community can:

• Share inspiration
• Learn from one another
• Keep the joy and importance of early childhood firmly in view

An Invitation to Explore

Whether you are rocking a newborn to sleep, setting up a preschool role-play corner, or leading an infant class through their first year at school, your work in the early years matters deeply.

You are warmly invited to:

• Explore the activity ideas and resources
• Reflect with the stories and articles
• Adapt what you find to fit your own children, setting and community

Together, we can make each infant and preschool day richer in play, learning and connection.

Welcome to the blog – and to a shared journey through the early years.