Literacy is a word that is used a lot in early years and it is so important to introduce early literacy opportunities in order to begin building the foundation to later learning. Literacy in the EYFS is split into two sections which are of course reading and writing which opens up a stream of learning opportunities from early mark making and pencil control to sharing stories and puppets.

We have recently revamped our pre-school provision and decided to make literacy a key priority. After some planning and a bit of budget spending we created a literacy corner! The children love it and really enjoy exploring what is on offer!

What is included in our literacy corner:

• Wooden archway from Community Playthings (which we already had)
• Curtains (which were donated from someone at the setting)
• Beanbags and cushions (which we already had)
• 2 plastic plants at a cost of £3.00 each.
• Selection of existing books
• Alphabet board (Printed and laminated)
• Story and nursery rhyme board (Printed and laminated)
• Story stones (Which were donated)
• 2 Story Sacks (Sacks were made at a cost of £4.00 for both and objects for them found in nursery)

Total cost : £7 !!

What ideas have you recently created?

@starburst_stuie

We all know how crazy, busy and loud it can get sometimes, especially for children! It’s very important that as well as having a space to escape to indoors, they have one to go to when they are outside too. It doesn’t have to be a purpose built structure, it could just be some cushions and beanbags with a canopy. Offering a selection of soft toys, furnishings and books will promote “quiet time” and new language and vocabulary will flow freely in this communication friendly space.

In our “escape space” we have:

• A selection of fiction and non fiction books
• A range of soft toys and teddies
• Cushions
• Blankets
• Soft mats
• Large mirror

Escape spaces link in with:

PSE – Taking turns, being social, making relationships

CL – New vocabulary, talking

UW – Using stories to talk about own experiences

It’s a simple provision but it really does add that extra special mark to your setting

@starburst_stuie

Hello! Welcome to the first post relating to quality outdoor provision. The outside environment is often seen as a place to “switch off” or just let the kids run wild but if thought and planning is used then the outside classroom can be JUST as outstanding as the indoors environment!

The area I have featured today is construction. The children love creating and building, therefore we created a designated construction area in our garden offering them the chance to think, plan and create. It’s one of my favorite areas to set up each morning and there is so many ways you can do it! The picture below is just one example.

Featured in our construction area are:

• Play bricks
• Plastic connectors
• Milk crates
• Play tools
• Hard hats
• Builders jackets
• Construction plans and pencils (not featured in picture)
• A book of structures (not included in picture)

It is then up to the children to create and lead their play! It’s lovely to take a step back and watch them develop their own ideas.  You could include plastic pipes, foam insulators, paint swatches and even brushes for the budding interior designers!

This provision links in with:

• PSE – Working together
• PD – Gross motor skills
• UW – Basing play on own experiences
• EAD – Making own creations
• M – Counting and sorting construction pieces
• CL – New vocabulary
• L – Mark making

There we have it! A simple area like this easily covers the 7 areas of learning!

Do you have a construction area? I would love to see/hear about your provision.

Until next time….

@starburst_stuie

 

Let’s not forget that “outstanding provision and practice” can only be provided if you give your staff the tools and chance to self-evaluate and think about their own practice regularly. 

 

A technique I use with my staff are “staff self-evaluation” forms. In simple terms, it is a table set out with a number of different statements followed by a grading numbered 1-5 (1 being not confident at all and 5 being completely confident).

Statements could include:

• Can complete a 2 year old check efficiently and correctly.
• Understand and follow safeguarding procedures
• Understand why and how we risk assess
• Complete learning journeys effectively

Once completed, we used these evaluation forms to assess where the staff are at and what actions need to be set during the next supervision meeting. Once set, we will support them in completing this action so that when they have their next supervision meeting, if they had graded themselves at 3 on a particular area, they will then be at 4 or even 5!

We have found this to be an effective and easy CPD tool to use.

If anyone would like help creating a form then please contact me!

@starburst_stuie  

 

 

Play-dough Pots:

The next post linking in with our outstanding practice series features the staple of everything early years….yes it is our old friend “Play-dough”. 

 

You could write for hours on “Play-dough” by itself but today features a twist on the classic! 

 

How: Create a large batch of play-dough, it literally can be anything from lemon and orange to mint or even just plain! I used our pirate play-dough mats just so the children had their own “work station”. Next I provided them each with a plastic pot filled with goodies including pipe cleaners, goggly eyes, glitter, sequins, pasta and much more! I then invited the children over and explained that they each had their own pot of bits and bobs to make “whatever they want” and before I knew it, the pasta was forming hair, the eyes were stuck on and before I knew it, some amazing play-dough monsters were created! We allowed them to harden and used them in our monster math activity later that week! 

Why: This activity links in with:

• PSE – Taking turns, being social.
• CL – New vocabulary, interaction
• UW – Using own experiences to base their own place, being creative, being imaginative
• M – Counting and sorting in a monster maths activity. 
• PD – gross and fine motor skills

 

There we go – a simple but fun activity links in with almost all the areas of learning! 

Enjoy, share and comment!

 

Thanks again!

@starburst_stuie

 

 

 

 

 

Story Stones:

 

Here we go! The first OFFICIAL post on here (aside from the pre-launch posts). Wednesday nights will be focusing on “outstanding practice” and will include activity ideas, tips for getting the best out of your staff and suggestions to help transform plain and boring resources into exciting, inviting opportunities to play and learn!

 

As mentioned, the first feature in this series is story stones. Story stones are growing in popularity and are an easy affordable resource to make/supply to your setting. 

 

 

The above picture is the current story stones I use. There are 5 in the set and include:

• A place
• An idea
• A person
• A time
• An event

We have used these stones many times now and the imagination it provokes is truly amazing! From “James” being stuck on a wooden plank before being rescued by Superman to “Alice” flying in a rocket to space with mummy, there are literally hundreds of story combinations that can be created!

I usually do a bit of pre-work before the activity such as getting them to share stories, do some mark making and share some news. This sparks natural imagination and will generate ideas and thoughts into the children’s little minds!!

This resource and activity links in with:

• PSE – Working together, sharing and taking turns.
• CL –   Building up new vocabulary, using different types of language.
• UW – Recalling familiar events, talking about the world around them.

 

So there we are! The first of many posts. I really hope you have enjoyed it and please let me know what you think by commenting below or tweeting me at @starburst_stuie 

Thanks so much for all your support!! 

 

 

 

I thought I would treat you again to another pre-launch post. I have had a lot of interest in my super-soft NO COOK play-dough recipe so I thought I would share below!

 

 

 

Raw ingredients:

2-3 cups of plain white flour

1-2 cups of salt depending on how “anti salt” you are

2-3 cups of BOILING water (this is a crucial part, although can be hot if your making it with the children)

1 packet or 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar (again, it is a vital part of this recipe)

 

Method:

• Into a large mixing bowl, tip the flour, salt and cream of tartar.
• Pour in the 2-3 cups of boiling water all at once (this will look a mess and almost ruined but it will work!)
• Mix well until the consistency of dough begins to form.
• Once mixed and malleable, take play-dough out and begin kneading on a clean dry surface for a few minutes.Once satisfied, transfer to an air tight container or pot. 

 

Additional notes: 

1. If you plan on adding scents and colours, I recommend adding it to the water before you add the water to the dough.
2. Be careful when you first remove the play-dough from the bowl to knead it as it will be hot!!
3. If stored and looked after correctly, this play-dough can last up to 3 weeks.

 

Have fun and let me know how your attempts go!!!

 

 

 

 

I have been overwhelmed by the interest in my blog and it has not even launched yet! We have reached people as far as Canada so far! As a thank you, I thought I would share two ideas that have been created. Both ideas are based on the theme of sensory exploration and imagination and link in with OFSTED’s guidelines of outstanding and best practice! 

 

Heuristic play baskets:

These simple, cheap and beautiful baskets can be created so easily and look so amazing! Heuristic play is so important in the sensory development of all children from babies to pre-schoolers. My pre-school room has recently undergone a massive transformation and this is the latest addition to our classroom! The children will adore exploring and investigating. It’s important to remember that during a heuristic play session, adults should step back (and supervise of course) and allow children to create their own play! Excuse the black lines, this was copied from my phone! Normal posts will full size!

 

Goldilocks and the three bears porridge play:

This fun and imaginative activity proved very popular with our pre-schoolers. The children had really enjoyed reading the classic story that week and after a quick hunt for 3 bears, 3 bowls and some porridge oats, a wonderful sensory experience was born! The children loved the smell, texture and appeal of this tactile substance and enjoyed reenacting the story! 

This is just a quick snapshot into what is to come on “Playdough, Paint and Pencils” and I hope it has excited you!

Yes, the first official post on here is of course the standard “Welcome to my new blog” post and I do welcome you warmly. After seeing so many inspirational blogs and websites out there, I thought I would give it a go too! As the name suggests, this blog is dedicated to “all things early years” from photos and ideas to more formal posts relating to key issues in the sector. I want to make it as interactive as possible too so please DO get involved. I’m thinking of splitting the blog into different themes and initially posting 3 times a week! This is how I plan to do it:

Wednesday – “Outstanding Practice” – How we can ensure our early years setting is of the highest standard and as part of the outstanding practice posts, I will be posting ideas, tips and ticks both on a managerial level and a practitioner level. I will try and include as many photos as I can too! 

 

Friday  – “Indoor and Outdoor learning” – What we can do to transform our indoor and outdoor learning spaces through simple changes, additions and suggestions! How to get the most out of your staff in the outside environment and tips and tricks for “pack away provisions” and restricted garden spaces!

 

Sunday – “Key issues” – As each week comes to a close, I will draw on my opinions and thoughts surrounding key issues relating to early years that are currently relevant and topical. 

 

From time to time, there may be additional posts or guest posts but the above mentioned is the basics of how the blog will be run.

And now for the self promoting section:

From an early age, I always wanted to work with children and my initial dream was a primary school teacher! As I grew up and I gained more and more experience in early years, I realized this was where I wanted to be. Once qualified, I secured a job as a nursery practitioner in a private day nursery. I was based in the toddler room where I remained for 3 years! During my time, I gained practical knowledge of the role and became a trained special educational needs co-coordinator.  I eventually moved on and was offered a promotion at my new setting as a room leader (the first step in early management) and realized this was where my skills and passion lay. After 3 further years, I was ready to apply for a deputy managers job at a day nursery and was overjoyed when I got the position. That’s me, a man in early years climbing the ladder! Wait…a man? Yes I am indeed one of those lesser spotted males in the sector and damn proud too!! 

You can find me on Twitter at: @starburst_stuie or contact me on playdoughandpaint@gmail.com

My first official post will be Wednesday 10th September, this will give me time to plan ahead. 

Thank you!