However, finding good sites can be time-consuming, so a 'gateway' site that can provide access to large numbers of vetted children's sites, is invaluable. Two of the best are Berit's Best Sites for Children (www.beritsbest.com/) and @school (www.atschool.co.uk)
Many school computers are linked to a local authority network with built in firewalls to prevent children anything inappropriate on the Net. For those that aren't, and private nurseries that want to be absolutely safe, it is best to use the 'white list' approach, which instead of barring bad sites,lock up everything that is not specifically permitted. One of teh best services of this kind is BrowserLock (www.BrowserLock.com)
The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTa), the Government's lead agency for ICT in education, has set up an online community for practitioner's working in the Foundation Stage. Anyone interested in contributing should contact Peter Wain on peter-wain@becta.org.uk
