BLOG: Raw flour update

In June, the Food Standards Agency issued guidance regarding using flour in play activities and recommended heat treating the flour. This guidance was updated on 19 August 2024. 

05/09/2024

Posted by Angela Gamble - Information, Advice and Guidance Manager, PACEY | with 0 comments

BLOG: Writing a good support plan (England)

You have identified that one of the children you care for is currently not developing as expected. You have talked to parents, and they also have similar concerns, so you have decided to thoroughly assess their needs. This has given you a clear understanding of their strengths and the challenges they are facing. You have had a long chat with their parents and your local authority Special Educational Needs and Disability team, and you have agreed that they will need additional support through the ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’ cycle’, also known as the Graduated Approach. The next step is to develop and produce a support plan that will support them to develop and learn. 

13/08/2024

Posted by ZARA SMITH, PACEY ADVISOR | with 0 comments

BLOG: Let's get wet and messy

Water play is so much fun, especially when it’s warm outside, but can be done all year round. Don’t let the grey skies put you off – water play is still fun and can take on different dimensions in our ever-changing weathers.

05/08/2024

Posted by PAT TOMLINSON, PACEY ADVISOR | with 0 comments

BLOG: Stronger Practice Hubs- supporting your childminding assistant’s professional development

Evidence informed practice is key to developing your service. Find out how you can get your childminding assistant involved to support their professional development. In the third of a series of three blogs we look at the work of Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs in England and the role they have to play.

05/08/2024

Posted by PACEY | with 0 comments

BLOG: My experience of taking the (NPQEYL)

In the Autumn of 2022, I started the National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL), an 18-month commitment to learning and developing my skills and knowledge.  Throughout my early years career, I have always been passionate about supporting all children to have the best start possible and have always understood that, to achieve this, children need to experience high quality provision, that is informed by current, relevant research and evidence and delivered by well qualified staff.

29/07/2024

Posted by ZARA SMITH, PACEY ADVISOR | with 0 comments

BLOG: Stronger Practice Hubs-supporting children’s learning in home-based childcare

Supporting children’s learning in the early years is fundamental in helping them to develop the foundation skills they need. For those delivering home-based childcare, providing opportunities for children to develop these skills is an important part of the role. In the second of a series of three blogs we look at the work of Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs in England and the role they have to play.

29/07/2024

Posted by PACEY | with 0 comments

BLOG: Post-election reflection: Delivering a thriving sector

It is fair to say that barely hours after the result of this years’ general election were finalised, the new Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP was arriving at the Department for Education in Westminster and meeting and greeting her new colleagues within the building as well as other stakeholders from across the education sector.

23/07/2024

Posted by Helen Donohoe | with 0 comments

BLOG: Stronger Practice Hubs- sharing evidence informed practice

Sharing good practice that is evidence informed is key for childcare professionals to ensure that they are continuously improving the service they offer and delivering high quality early years education and care. In the first of a series of three blogs we look at the work of Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs in England and the role they have to play.

22/07/2024

Posted by PACEY | with 0 comments

BLOG: Unleashing learning power: Exploring Learning Power Approaches in early childhood education

18/07/2024

Posted by Natalia Prochniak | with 0 comments

BLOG: Raw flour

In early years it is common practice to use flour in play, whether that be in homemade play dough or other craft activities, but did you know flour is a raw ingredient and should be cooked or baked to make it safe?

28/06/2024

Posted by Angela Gamble - Information, Advice and Guidance Manager, PACEY | with 0 comments