Cowgate Under 5s has opened up its spaces so that children of different age groups can move freely around the setting - with significant benefits. The nursery's June Graham explains why it works.
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.
The Nursery World team is taking a break over Christmas, but we'll be back in 2015 with some great new features and events.
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.
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.
Let children's imaginations fly high, while steering their learning with activities based on a favourite story book as suggested by early years adviser Judith Stevens.
Early years settings' work with families can take a new dimension when everybody gets outdoors together, says Annie Davy, early years advisor at Learning through Landscapes.