Jessica Gosling, founder of Step to Pre-school, has years of experience teaching in both the early years and primary schools, in the UK and internationally. In this blog, she talks about her differing experiences of working with both the early years and primary cirriculums, and how an understanding of child development and the EYFS can help […]
Mary Medlicott is a professional storyteller, storytelling trainer and storytelling workshop leader with over 30 years’ experience. In this blog for the Alliance, she explains the benefits of storytelling with young children, and how both practitioners and parents can help children get the most out of storytime whilst having fun and creating a stronger […]
Sonia Mainstone-Cotton, early years nurture and wellbeing trainer, and early years consultant, explains how you and your staff can take care of children’s mental health. This article orginally appeared in the Alliance’s Under 5 membership magazine. Wellbeing is a term we hear a lot when discussing adults and young people – but we don’t often think about […]
Emma Homan is an Educational Copywriter for Pentagon Play, who specialise in creating outdoor learning environments for schools and children with special educational needs. In this blog Emma shares some of the top reasons why access to outdoor play is important for children with special educational needs, and how it can be particularly beneficial […]
Olivia Dickinson, campaigner for Let Toys Be Toys, explains how you can expand children’s play choices in your setting by challenging stereotypes. This article originally appeared in the Alliance’s Under 5 membership magazine. In November 2012, a discussion on the Mumsnet parenting website about the prominence of pink and blue in the toy aisles galvanised a […]
Under 5 Magazine Editor Rachel Lawler catches up with shadow minister for the early years and MP for Batley & Spen, Tracy Brabin. This article originally appeared in the Alliance’s Under 5 membership magazine. Are you excited to be Labour’s new shadow early years minister? I’m really enjoying life as the minister. The sector has been incredibly welcoming […]
The RSPB is inviting early years settings to join its Big Schools’ Birdwatch – here’s how you can get involved. This article originally appeared in the Alliance’s Under 5 membership magazine. Birdwatching is one of the easiest ways to explore nature with children in your setting. You don’t need any special equipment and just a […]
Under 5 Magazine Editor Rachel Lawler catches up with minister of state for children and families, Robert Goodwill. This article originally appeared in the Alliance’s Under 5 membership magazine. How do you feel about your new role as minister for children and families? I’m delighted with the role and I’ve enjoyed my first few months at […]
Alliance quality and standards manager, Melanie Pilcher, shares ideas for getting children ready for moving up to school. This article originally appeared in the Alliance’s Under 5 membership magazine. Starting school is a major transition in a child’s life involving separation from familiar adults and children. By the time they are ready to […]
Velda Bartholomew, quality improvement officer at the Alliance, introduces the tailored apprenticeship programme that lies behind Ellie Lloyd’s selection as Apprentice of the Year at the NMT Awards 2016.
In 2016, Nessa Rackham won the Alliance's coveted Volunteer of the Year Award for her work in creating and running the Daisychains support group for parents. Here she tells us all about the experience - what it was like to be nominated, attending the awards ceremony at our Annual Conference in London - and taking home the trophy!
Nathan Archer is a Doctoral Researcher in Education at the University of Sheffield who is conducting a research project to collect the views and experiences of professionals from across the early years sector, on the subject of professional identities in early childhood education in England. Read more about the research project in this blog, and find out how […]
