Stimulate the senses, stretch children's skills and extend provision for special needs by developing a sensory garden, as one nursery shows Viv Hampshire how they did it.
Eastfield Academy Nursery in Northampton got the children making aliens, a rocket and even the moon after noting their interest in space.By Claire Lowery
Rain, sun and fog are elements children can have fun exploring with suggestions in part two of our weather feature by Nicole Weinstein.
'Free-and-found' resources lend themselves to creative, child-directed outdoor play. Julie Mountain offers some guidance on sourcing them.
In practice, treasure baskets are a tried and tested resource that provide endless fascination for the babies who explore them, but their originator was strict about how they should be made and used....
Active outdoor play has many benefits for children. Viv Hampshire explains how her children's centre is encouraging families to get out and about, rain or shine.
Careful thought is needed to create well-defined and attractive spaces to enhance play, learning and well-being. Ruth Thomson explains.
Play involving hands and feet can help develop observation and thinking skills beyond simple recognition of size, shape and pattern. Marianne Sargent suggests some ideas.
Construction block sets are among the essential equipment that any nursery will have, but that doesn't mean they're all alike. Mary Evans hears how early years settings rate a variety of the latest...