Early Years

Wednesday

3rd Dec 2025

Why we teach without screens in Reception
When one early years class was relocated to a room without screens or wi-fi, it created the conditions to test the benefits of going screen-free, writes Lucy Fox
child with blocks

Thursday

27th Nov 2025

What does the curriculum review mean for EYFS?
As the latest early years profile results are published, Julian Grenier outlines four key areas of the recent curriculum and assessment review worth interrogating
Early years toy blocks

Wednesday

19th Nov 2025

How an EYFS profile tool could cut SEND referrals
The tool, developed at the University of Birmingham, is designed to identify the developmental needs of children who might otherwise go ‘under the radar’
Early years pupils in PE

Friday

19th Sep 2025

Do we really need to teach children how to feel?
Programmes teaching early years children to manage their emotions could be having unintended consequences, warns Gemma Kirby
Two little boys

Tuesday

26th Aug 2025

How to use continuous provision in Year 1
Schools are increasingly opting to use continuous provision beyond the early years, says KS1 lead Katie Jenkins, who shares her top tips for getting this approach right for Year 1
Year 1 children in activity area

Monday

11th Aug 2025

7 books to improve your early years provision
Amid a focus on raising standards in Reception, Julian Grenier shares recommended reads for teachers and leaders who want to better understand early years pedagogy and practice
Hands with painted number 7

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